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In Cray Kaiser’s Employee Spotlight series, we highlight a member of the CK team. We couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve grown and we’re excited for you to get to know them. This month we’re shining our spotlight on Raimonda Kesler. Raimonda is returning to Cray Kaiser after spending some time working for another CPA firm. Listen to her audio blog and learn more about why she came back to the CK team.
Transcript:
My name is Raimonda Kesler and I am an Assurance Senior here at Cray Kaiser. As an Assurance Senior, I manage audits and reviews for non-public companies, which definitely keeps me on my toes and engaged with a variety of clients. I also havethe responsibility of supervising and mentoring our staff, which is very fulfilling to help them grow and develop their skills. There’s more to my role. I am part of a dedicated team here at Cray Kaiser that’s focused on evaluating and improving our processes. We are always looking for ways to improve our efficiency and prioritize the tasks that truly offer more value to our clients.
As I am settling back into my role at Cray Kaiser, I’m reminded of what makes this place so special. The culture here is all about teamwork and support. It’s very refreshing to work in an environment where everyone genuinely cares about each other’s success. I miss the brainstorming sessions here at Cray Kaiser, being able to bounce off ideas of my colleagues and learn from their experiences, something I’ve really missed. I’m also excited about all the new initiatives Cray Kaiser is rolling out. It’s very inspiring to be a part of a company that values innovation and is constantly looking for ways to improve. I can’t wait to dive in into some of these projects and contribute my own ideas.
The five core values that guide us here at Cray Kaiser are education, integrity, people, care, and trust. A couple of years ago, I felt that integrity was the most important core value. It really resonated with me because integrity forms the foundation of everything we do. However, as I’ve grown and evolved in my role, I come to realize that care is now the value that’s sent out the most. While integrity is still incredibly important, I believe that care encompasses so much more. Caring for each other and our clients allows us to fulfill our other values like trust and integrity in a much deeper way. When we genuinely care, we create a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best work.
My journey in public accounting has been a bit unconventional. I earned my accounting degree and my CPA license while juggling the responsibilities of being a mom to two little girls. It was truly a family effort. Everyone played a role in making this happen. I couldn’t have done it without my husband, Jack. He supported and encouraged me all the way. I’ve worked in public accounting for the last seven years, taking various roles along the way. I started my CPA career here at Cray Kaiser, where I spent five years learning and growing within the firm. After that, I spent two years at a large CPA firm where I gained new experiences and insights. However, at the end, I realized that my heart belongs here at Cray Kaiser, and I’m thrilled to be back.
If you are starting your journey in public accounting, my top piece of advice is to never stop learning. This field is always evolving, so staying updated on industry trends and regulations is essential. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out for mentorship from more experienced colleagues, whether it’s through email, a quick phone call or just stopping by the office. We’ve all been there. We’ve all been beginners and someone helped us along the way. Remember, we wouldn’t be where we are today without that support.
So my life motto is if you’re not falling, you’re not learning. This wise advice comes from my father-in-law who used to share it with his five kids when they were learning how to water ski. I have embraced this motto in my own life and it really resonates with me. For me, it’s a reminder that you have to step out of your comfort zone to truly learn something new. Sometimes that means you might stumble along the way, so it’s important to learn how to fall softly.
My family absolutely loves water sports. We really believe in working hard and playing hard and our vacation reflects that. Almost every trip that we take involves some kind of water sport, water activity. One of our absolute favorites is spending time at the lake house. There, it’s all about skiing, eating delicious food, catching up, and always, and of course, getting some sleep. It’s basically a fun cycle of ski, eat, sleep, and repeat. There’s just something special about being on the water. It’s these moments that create unforgettable memories for our family.
So last summer my family, my husband, and my daughters and I watched Inside Out 2 together. My daughters were very young when we watched the first, the original movie about nine years ago. So it was fun to revisit the story with them now. As parents, we could really appreciate how the sequel beautifully explored the complexity of growing up and the emotional challenges that come with it.
I’m a total bookworm, and I have to say that the story of Edgar Sautel by David Roblesque is definitely one of my favorite this year. I absolutely love this story. The way it explores the bond between Edgar and his dogs is incredibly moving and really pulls at your heartstrings. The writing is beautiful too. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the world of Sautel. Plus the dynamics of family relationships along the themes of loyalty and betrayal kept me completely hooked. Overall, it’s just a fantastic book.