12C — October 30 - November 12, 2020 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
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Women in Business
Jacqueline Abellera, CPA Partner Withum Years with company/firm: 24 Years in field: 20 Years in real estate industry: 20
Nina Chmura, CPA Partner, Team Leader of Outsourced Accounting
Rebecca Machinga, CPA, CGMA Partner|Practice Leader, Real Estate Services Group Withum Years with company/firm: 28 Years in field: 28 Years in real estate industry: 28
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in: I began my career in 2003, after graduating from Boston University at a small accounting firm in Massachusetts. After one busy season I realized I wanted to be closer to my family in NJ, moved, and began my career at Withum. What is your current position? I am currently the team leader of the OASys (Out- sourced Accounting Systems and Services) team. We are approximately 40 teammembers in 5 offices. We provide back office accounting support to our clients from accounts receivable/payable clerks to controller and CFO level services utilizing cloud technologies. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? My parents were business owners and I always knew I wanted to go to business school, but I was not sure in what area I wanted to concentrate. I went to a presentation in college that spoke about the opportunities in accounting and was drawn to the fact that every business in every industry needs accountants. To this day, I enjoy working with many different clients and businesses on any given day. How do you manage the work/life balance? 2020 has been a challenging year in managing work/life balance as the lines have blurred with work and school primarily being from home. I manage balance with a lot of help from my family and the ability to be flexible on a day to day basis. I realize I can’t always be everything to everyone but I try to be present where I am. I make sure I don’t only pri- oritize being at the big things but also being focused and attentive during the day to day with my family. What unique qualities and/or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I often say I am never the smartest person in the room, but I am the most reliable. I take action and get things done which builds trust with clients and colleagues. My relationships have proven to be the single biggest factor in my success. What was the most defining moment for you in the profession you are currently in? The most defining moment in my profession has been my decision to move from the audit team to advisory to build and head the outsourced account- ing team. It was a risk leaving what I knew to start something new, but it has been so rewarding. Our team has grown over the years and I love watching my team grow and succeed. In addition, the relation- ships I have made with the clients we serve have been deeper and more impactful. Tell us a little about your family: I live in Monmouth County, NJ with my husband, Jason, andmy two sons Michael (10) and Dominic (7). What inspiringword of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? My career has been so rewarding and fulfilling. My advice for a young woman would be to go for it! Say yes to the opportunities that present themselves even when they seems challenging. They will make you stronger, smarter, and more successful. MAREJ Services Withum Years with company/firm: 16 Years in field: 17 Years in real estate industry: 17 Real estate organizations / affiliations: Corenet NJ
What is your current position? As our firm grew over the years to the 1,300 dedi- cated professionals we have today, we became more industry focused instead of geographically focused from a client service perspective. I was asked to lead the real estate industry group about 10 years ago. I was honored and flattered and wasn’t sure I was ready, but quickly changed my mindset to realize that if others thought I was the person that could grow this business line, then I would make sure I lived up to their expectations. Fast forward to today, the real estate industry group is the 3rd largest in our firm, encompassing 10% of our $250M in annual revenues. My responsibilities range from client service to strategy to business development to hiring, staffing, scheduling and coaching. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? In 7th grade, a family friend asked me what I wanted to do when I graduated from college. She was a banker and said that she thought I would make a good accountant and that public account- ing was a great profession. She saw something in me that made it a fit in her mind. I signed up to take an introductory accounting class in my junior year of high school and in my senior year, while completing college applications, checked the box to be an accounting major and never looked back. Public accounting always appealed to me because of the diversity of work and never having the same day twice. How do you manage the work/life balance? Some days I’m a better mother and wife, some days I’m a better firm leader. Each day I make sure that I’ve done at least one good thing for each aspect of my life that allows me to believe that some semblance of balance is possible in this world where those lines are now more blurred than ever. What challenges and/or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to become as success- ful as you are today? Over time, I gained confidence in my abilities, I grew thicker skin, I developed a willingness to take calculated risks, and I learned to trust others. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage or no advantage in today’s busi- ness world? Why? Why not? Sometimes an advantage, sometimes no advan- tage. Never a disadvantage. I’ve never seen the glass ceiling at my firm. I’ve always been treated with respect and never felt singled out because I’m a woman. Many times I’m the only woman in the room, but am not intimidated by that or discouraged by that because I know the world is changing. Al- though I was one of the champions who started our Women’s Leadership Development Group back in 2000 when we didn’t have any female partners, I’ve always enjoyed working with my male colleagues and respect their perspectives. I’ve never pulled the “woman” card and always believe the person who is best for the job should get the job, regardless of race, gender, etc. MAREJ Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREWNJ, Princeton-Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Real Estate Business Alliance, ICSC, HLB International Real Estate Committee
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in: I started in public accounting in 1996, and worked in a number of industries. By 2000, I had settled in the real estate industry. Like many, I find real estate to be almost a calling. Everything about it fascinates me. I not only work with cli- ents in all aspects of real estate, I also own rental real estate, and invest in real estate. What is your current position? Partner in public accounting, providing real estate clients advisory, tax, and other compliance services. I usually work with owners, lessors, and investors in a variety of commercial real estate areas. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? Like many, I find real estate to be almost a call- ing. Everything about it fascinates me. I not only work with clients in all aspects of real estate, I also own rental real estate, and invest in real estate. How do you manage the work/life balance? With help. Sometimes it’s easy and wonderful, being able to work a flexible schedule and volunteer at my children’s school. Sometimes it’s not easy, during deadline season when I’m working every waking moment. My husband and I take turns be- ing the primary caregiver to our children, depend- ing on which of us has the more pressing deadlines. And if we both have pressing deadlines, we call in reinforcements – our moms! Who or what has been the strongest influ- ence on your career? When I joined the firm out of college, there was a young female manager who I watched very closely, and who mentored me. We worked in different industries, but she was instrumental in teaching me what I needed to know to succeed in public accounting. After she became a partner, she took some time off to raise children, showing me that this career can be as flexible as you want it to be. What unique qualities and/or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I try to not only answer my client’s questions, but also determine the reason for the question so that I can anticipate their needs and discuss scenarios and possible outcomes with them. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage or no advantage in today’s busi- ness world? Why? Why not? I don’t believe it’s either an advantage or a disad- vantage. I think some clients enjoy working with a female, and others do not, but in the end, it has to be a good personality fit on both sides in order to have a successful working relationship. Tell us a little about your family: My husband, Sherwin, is also a CPA, and we have two sons: Jason is 11 and Ryan is 4. MAREJ
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