In Cray Kaiser’s Employee Spotlight series, we highlight a member of the CK team. We are incredibly proud of the team we have grown, and can’t wait for you to get to know them. For December, we’re shining our CK spotlight on Senior Assurance Accountant Kayla Daniels.
GETTING TO KNOW KAYLA
As a Senior Assurance Accountant, Kayla’s role at CK is to oversee the daily progress of an audit, review or compilation engagement. This encompasses activities related to planning an engagement, overseeing audit procedures, and ensuring efficient and timely final deliverables. Kayla works with a variety of clients, but her area of focus has been mostly nonprofit organizations. In addition, this year she was afforded the opportunity to gain experience in employee benefit plan audits.
Kayla joined the CK team in February 2020, crediting her interest in the company to the small size of the firm and closely held client base, which made her feel like a person and not just a number within the organization.
She entered the public accounting industry in winter 2015 with an assurance internship at a medium-sized regional firm and received her CPA certification in fall of 2017. After two years and having her first child, Kayla relocated from Ohio to Illinois. Eventually, she came across CK while looking to expand her experience to different industries and services.
Kayla’s goals include growing her experience within the public accounting sphere. With most of her work focused on assurance services, Kayla would like to gain some tax experience.
WHY CK?
Kayla loves the open communication and the flexibility that CK offers its employees. She feels that access to the proper people is important within a firm, and at CK, not only does everyone care, but they will also listen and help resolve issues in a timely manner. She also appreciates that CK is open to flexible work schedules as it really helps keep a healthy work/life balance.
Out of all of CK’s core values, “Care” is the most meaningful to Kayla. She has stayed in auditing and assurance because of the important role that she plays in improving the client’s overall financial wellbeing. Especially in the nonprofit sector, the financial improvements that are made in the background can greatly free up time and resources for the organization to focus on their main objective of improving their communities. In general, Kayla believes caring for clients highlights how she can act as a trusted advisor to improve their business.
MORE ABOUT KAYLA
- How do you spend your weekends and time off?
In my time off, I like to do activities with my daughter and husband like going to the park or the zoo. Outside of family life, I like to play video games and watch TV.
- Tell us about your family.
I currently live with 10 people in 1 multiple generation home. Within the household are myself, my husband, and my daughter; then my sister, her husband and her three kids; and lastly, my mother and father. We have three dogs, Angel, Angus and Ulrich.
- What’s your favorite TV show?
My favorite TV shows are F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Forensic Files.
- What is on your music playlist?
2000’s hip hop and 2010 screamo and country. I have not updated my playlist since high school- if it’s not broken, don’t change it!