Welcome back, future accounting superstars! Today we have a special guest. Susan Callahan is a Ross MAcc alumnus who is now the Director of America’s Accounting and Global Accounting Policy at Ford Motor Company.
Can you please talk about your current role at Ford? Presently I have the role of Director, Americas Accounting and Global Accounting Policy. In that role, I am responsible for supervising all elements of operational accounting for all locations in North and South America. I also supervise a team that engages with the standard setters, and is responsible for the interpretation and implementation of U.S. GAAP and IFRS. We are also responsible for the accounting for all special transactions such as capital funding, acquisitions, divestitures, union contracts etc. My specific role is to partner with our business colleagues to ensure the accounting and the economics of a transaction are aligned.
What are the toughest professional challenges you face? I have enjoyed every turn in my professional career. When faced with a challenge, I found it best to turn it into an opportunity. After I graduated and started my career in public accounting, I was frustrated that the profession struggled with the issues of gender and people of color. I was convinced however that in order to stay relevant, public accounting had to evolve with what was happening economically and socially. With that perspective, I decided to informally mentor other women in the profession and to dedicate spending more time with people of color when recruiting. I involved myself in training efforts and was outspoken on diversity issues. The profession has grown tremendously with respect to the gender issue – but has a ways to go with respect to other “isms” that get in the way of opportunity and inclusiveness that is so important in today’s business environment.
What general career advice do you have for MAcc students? Approach your career with unbridled inquisitiveness and a passion for doing what is right. Stay personally relevant.
What specific advice would you give someone who wants to work as an accountant in the auto industry? Public accounting first or rotational corporate program straight from MAcc? How much finance background? I am biased. I recommend graduates start with public accounting, regardless of the industry with which they might be interested. The public accounting experience and the client base exposure will introduce graduates to many more issues, many more industries and corporate cultures, and many levels of leadership very quickly. Public accounting will provide an opportunity to “try-out” the industry and experience the culture from a distance before making a commitment. MAcc students will benefit from the broad experience in public accounting that will enable them to bring a “bag of tricks” and immediate value others might not bring to the new employer. As for finance – get as much academic training as you can. You will find throughout your accounting career, that almost everything you deal with is economically motivated and the finance background will help both with your analysis as well as the value you bring to any decision making.
What is the value of the CPA designation? The CPA designation is a deeply respected designation and opens many doors of opportunity. Interestingly, there seems to be an immediate acknowledgment by business partners the value a CPA can bring to the discussion.
We are very grateful for Susan’s time and perspectives! Best of luck as you prepare your applications and GO BLUE!
