Q&A with inspirational women at the OSCPA

In order to celebrate Women’s History Month, the OSCPA wants to highlight inspirational women of the OSCPA. We reached out to Taylor Dollens and Rachael Johnson and asked them about their experiences and what advice they would give to women who are starting their careers.  

Taylor Dollens, CPA, graduated high school at the age of sixteen and completed her master’s degree by the age of twenty-one. After college, Taylor worked at a large-scale accounting firm handling Fortune 500 accounts and privately-owned organizations with hundreds of employees. 

When her children were born, Taylor decided to go into business for herself so she could be present with her kids in the most formative time of their lives. Taylor understands firsthand how financial strategy can empower families and communities. Because of this, she’s passionate about helping clients build a financial legacy for their loved ones. Taylor works tirelessly to equip women with the tools and strategy they need to provide for the near future and a lasting legacy.

Q&A with Taylor Dollens, CPA

OSCPA: Who are some of your female role models?
Dollens: There are many women I’ve been lucky to know personally and consider role models. Another Oklahoma CPA, Kristen Elder, made a huge impact on my career early on when I worked with her at PwC. I’d never seen anyone work as hard and advocate as strongly for women in the workplace. I am forever her #1 fan. I have a dear friend from my hometown of Sulphur, Louisiana, Jennifer Ledbetter Odell, who has made fearless decisions throughout her life to pursue her dreams and conquer the impossible. My sister, Katelyn Chargois, achieved her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina and now has transitioned into full-time business ownership of her own dance studio. I have the privilege to work primarily with female clients and small business owners. They inspire me daily with their ability to manage so many aspects of life and quite literally change the world. I’ve been lucky to have many talented, strong, fearless and intelligent women in my family and in my life to look up to. 

OSCPA: What would you say has been your greatest obstacle as a woman in your field?
Dollens: The obstacles we face as female CPAs are similar to most women in professional settings. Our superiors are often male and navigating those relationships can be difficult, fair/equal pay for our education and work experience, and not being penalized in our careers for growing our families. Personally, I believe being a woman and mother complements my career. However, it took working for myself to ever truly be treated that way. Finding the balance between career and family is challenging but rewarding. I’m always juggling a number of things, but my kids are never up in the air. As parents, we need the flexibility to be able to put our kids first. I’m thankful to have found that but it took some big risks to get here. 

OSCPA: What would you say are the most essential qualities of a successful leader?
Dollens: Having a clear direction, thoughtfulness with your team/clients and excellent communication skills. As CPAs, our skill sets have to be diverse. Oftentimes, what makes us great at our jobs in front of our computer screens can be our very downfall in front of clients and our staff. Being a great CPA and being a great leader is not synonymous. Learning to work with others, providing direction, teaching, coaching and communicating clearly are all skills we have to learn and practice. Being a great leader means having the self-awareness to know that you’re going to make mistakes. Recovery from those mistakes and learning with your team are major keys to success. 

OSCPA: How do you deal with being underestimated or undervalued?
Dollens: This has evolved over my career. I spent time in the past hoping to educate or convince the other party of my value. I’ve learned that if they are going to see the value you offer, they typically don’t need convincing. Your value is much more obvious than they want you to believe, I promise. If you constantly try to prove your worth, it may not be the best fit. It’s okay to outgrow your current employment and it’s okay to change your career path from what you originally expected it to be. There is always another client or job opportunity out there that will provide you with the compensation, promotion, flexibility or responsibilities you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to take that leap. I have a three-year-old daughter. I think about her when I’m making those tough decisions. In 20 years, what would I tell her to do? I’d tell her she’s earned it and she is worth every single thing she’s asking for. I do my best every day to set that example for her. 

OSCPA: What advice would you give to women just starting their careers?
Dollens: You can have it all if that’s what you want. Don’t be afraid to be your own biggest fan and advocate. Document everything.

Rachel Johnson, CPA, CGMA, graduated from Wichita State University with her bachelor's in accounting. Rachel would go on to work for various firms such as Peters & Chandler and Humphreys Capital before branching out and becoming a sole practitioner in July 2021.

Rachel currently serves as the chair for both the OSCPA Financial Literacy and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committees. In 2020, the work of Rachel and the Financial Literacy Committee was recognized by the Oklahoma Society of Association Executives and won the Excellence in Community Development and Service award. In addition to her role as a committee chair, Rachel is one of the Directors-at-Large on the OSCPA’s Board of Directors.

Q&A with Rachel Johnson CPA, CGMA

OSCPA: Who are some of your female role models?
Johnson: Some of the most influential people in my life were women I met while in college. I worked on campus in the Student Support Services (SSS) office. I experienced kindness and appreciation from them. I saw how an entire office of women could uplift and support each other. I was working at SSS when I decided to become a CPA. One of the counselors knew I was majoring in accounting o she asked me if I was going to be a CPA. I didn't know what a CPA was.  She told me and from that moment on, I decided that was what I was going to do.

OSCPA: What would you say has been your greatest obstacle as a woman in your field?
Johnson: When I first started my career, I couldn't let employers know that I was a mother, let alone a single mother. Fortunately, I don't see that in the CPA career field anymore. 

OSCPA: What would you say are the most essential qualities of a successful leader?
Johnson: Understanding that not everyone wants the same thing in their career as you do. The object is to listen to what your clients want and help them achieve their goals. Being a good leader is also about taking time for yourself. It's hard to lead when you haven't refilled yourself.

OSCPA: How do you deal with being underestimated or undervalued?
Johnson: Speak up about how you feel. It may be hard, but sometimes supervisors and bosses don't realize that you feel underestimated or undervalued. There are also times when you have to make a change and go somewhere you will be valued.

OSCPA: What advice would you give to women just starting their careers?
Johnson: You are not expected to know everything, nobody can. There are going to be failures along the way, but you can learn so much from them.  Take advice from others in your career. The reason they can give advice is that they've already been through situations you can learn from. The great thing about becoming a CPA is that you get the opportunity to continually learn, grow and teach others.