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Donna Dragon

General Ledger Supervisor
AICPA (that’s us)
Durham, NC

 

Ever heard the saying, “The journey is the destination”? Donna Dragon must have. She has experienced a full and rich career, with lots of milestones behind her and plenty more ahead. And one thing she’s learned throughout the process is that it’s never “done” – there’s always a new adventure around the corner.

“When I was in school I was always focused on the goal,” she says. “Getting my diploma, passing the CPA exam, etc. It seemed like those were the end of the process.” But she realized those steps were just the start of the story. She got the diploma, passed the exam, and even got started in an accounting position. Then moved up to another one. And another. Eventually she became royalty manager at Oxford University Press, helping authors earn a living from what they wrote – “a fun position,” Donna recalls. But the journey was still unfolding.

Now she works with the American Institute of CPAs, making processes run more smoothly and better tracking expenses. She interacts with the IT department on system issues, works with department staff to improve workflow and serves on several committees. Donna also volunteers a lot, especially with high school students and the local Boy Scouts. “It’s so much fun watching these 11-year-olds grow into such great young men,” she says. “Plus, I get to do all this camping, white-water rafting, sea kayaking, and taking trips to Alaska along the way.”

“Along the way.” That seems to be Donna’s theme – that it’s important to set goals, but remember that that once you accomplish them, you’ll just move on to bigger and better ones – or maybe just different ones. “It’s about all the experiences that you have as you go, she says. “Learning and doing new things is what keeps life interesting.”

So keep looking to the future. But don’t forget about the present. And know that by getting into accounting, you keep your options open for all kinds of adventures that may come your way. Just ask Donna: “You’ll be amazed at what you can get involved in.”

Got questions of your own? Ask a CPA.