Accounting For Business Acumen
Photo/Edd Cote
Patricia L. Jones
Title: Founding partner, CPA
Company: P.L. Jones & Associates P
Location: Worcester
Patricia L. Jones is the founding partner of the accounting firm P.L. Jones & Associates PC of Worcester. Since its organization in 1996, the firm has grown to include 12 employees as well as two offices (Worcester and Athol). Jones received a bachelor’s degree in business from Suffolk University and a master’s from Bentley College. Her career path also includes serving as an assistant vice president and trust officer for the former Mechanics Bank.
Who is your most influential role model, and why?
My role model is a teacher that I had for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Her career path brought her from the classroom to public school administration then to a senior administrative role in the city. It was not her career that influenced me as much as the confidence in myself that she instilled as a teacher. At a very impressionable age she imparted a “can do” mind set. I started high school and then probably every venture after that with the conviction that I could do whatever I wanted so long as I worked hard at it. I still see her occasionally and she still relays a “can do” message.
Why are you good at what you do?
It starts with the basic “work hard” framework and “go forward” attitude. I also think that it is important to constantly evaluate the past so that we learn from prior experiences, especially mistakes. It is important to recognize that we cannot change the past, only impact the future. I also believe that a positive attitude leads to success. Finally, and most importantly for me, I like what I do. Accounting, auditing and taxation are areas that I enjoy and the diversity on a daily basis is amazing.
How does your organization give back to the community, and what role have you played in those efforts?
Since our firm’s conception, we have always encouraged community involvement. In fact, we have the topic of community service as part of our firm orientation for new staff. The one area that I am most pleased to be a part of is the firm sponsorship of the United Way’s Women Initiative which we have done since it first began seven years ago. By virtue of our training and experience, invariably most of our community services are in financial affairs and I have been treasurer and/or president or board member of numerous organizations including the Boy Scouts, Family Health, Diocese of Worcester, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Kiwanis and Notre Dame.
When the stress level gets too high, what’s your secret remedy?
I am not so certain that I have a secret remedy because I am a fairly demonstrative person. In our office I have attempted to balance our workload so that the 15th of every month has deadlines. We may have additional stress but it is spread over 12 months, so I think we probably become desensitized to it. To respond directly to the question for me, I retreat to my family. I find there is always support and sometimes sympathy. They typically offer a listening ear and are always a calming influence.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life? Give an example or two.
Balancing a career and a personal life is a continuous challenge, but certainly for me it is now a lot easier that my children are grown. Being able to have control over my scheduling and not having the constant conflict with children’s schedules helps. I have always had the equivalent of an open door policy with my family and they frequently will stop by the office and chat.
On the personal side now, my husband and I like to spend time traveling and we frequently escape for weekends. In the past couple of months we have gone to Toronto to take in a Red Sox game, have used our new-found Worcester airline service to spend a long weekend in Myrtle Beach, and have spent long weekends at the Cape and Old Orchard Beach.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments