Jennifer Pundzak, Client Communications Coordinator
What do you like most about your job?
The team. The people I work with, our CCC team, Pam, and everyone is fun, funny, nice, and always willing to lend a hand. The company culture is wonderful. Origin CPA Group is really selective in who is taken on as an employee and it has worked to create a team of hard-working and caring individuals.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Never wait until tomorrow for a task you can finish today. It’s a huge thing with Origin. When something comes in, do it, don’t delay. Stay really present on tasks. Better time management. Try to do things as quickly and efficiently as possible because there are usually four people waiting on information you have.
What do you enjoy doing during off season?
Off season is basically summer so there are so many things to enjoy. Taking trips around Colorado. The sand dunes, Colorado Springs, tubing in Fort Collins. The off season is a good time to do summer activities, hiking, explore, swimming, water parks that are on my circuit to try, and relearning how to rollerblade. Trying to stay active is the main thing.
How do you cope with the stress of busy season and tax deadlines?
I sleep in on the weekends. I reached a certain point where my mind and body got used to the high productivity level. I could see the number of returns we were delivering and emails sent and that helped to keep my motivation up. The busy season felt less stressful by being highly productive and seeing real-time progress. Finding funny tax memes to share with the team was also a good outlet. Everyone is in the trenches together so there is a whole circle that gets it.
What is a hidden talent or fun fact about you?
I’m writing a novel. There is a program competition called National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It’s a launch pad to get people motivated to write and I have more than 55,000 words right now. I’m working on a crime thriller, love story. Maybe someday I will consider publishing.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
I have always been in hospitality. I’ve worked for a bed and breakfast, hotels, and a time share company. I would choose something where I get to work with people and be front facing. This job still has that aspect, but in a more remote nature. Working for a publishing company is something I had a great interest in when I was in school. My finance and I have also toyed with the idea of running our own bed and breakfast.
Where’s your favorite place in the world?
Hawaii. I’ve been to several different states and some international travel; Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan. Hawaii feels foreign because it is an island in the middle of the ocean and is a melting pot of different cultures and people. It’s the perfect place.
What is your motto or personal mantra?
Just keep swimming from Disney’s Finding Nemo. Don’t panic so much, and just keep moving forward.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Family. I wouldn’t want to be without any of them. I can do without a lot, but I cannot do without my family.
What advice would you provide to someone interested in tax or accounting?
You are going to be thrown so many curve balls and questions that you won’t be ready for. It’s the difference between studying a subject and having real life clients with a wide variety of things that they do and have happen to them. Lean on your co-workers. Expect the unexpected.