A BBD Success Story: David Curry, Supervisor

David Curry is a supervisor, specializing in providing audit services for middle-market businesses and employee benefit plan audits for a variety of industries.  David joined the firm in 2005 and hopes to someday become a BBD partner.

BBD:  Where did you go to school?
DJC:  I went to Rutgers-Camden.

BBD:  How long have you been with the firm?
DJC:  For about four and a half years.

 BBD:  Can you remember what it was like to interview at BBD? 
DJC:    It has been some time, but I can actually remember it very clearly.  I think the best way to describe it would be unique.  At the time I was interviewing with many firms, most through on-campus recruiting, which is how I met with BBD.   All of the other firms sent a manager who seemed to take a ‘checklist’ approach to interviewing, and I never felt any connection with them or their firm.  They were very generic and quite frankly did nothing to separate themselves from the pack.  In comparison, my interview with BBD was enlightening.  I met with Erin McClafferty, our marketing director, and she brought along a staff member.  Each of them spoke about the firm, so I immediately received two different perspectives to work with, two more important ones in my opinion.  I got to see how the firm values itself to the outside world, as well as how things work on the inside.  They also didn’t focus entirely on the typical interview questions and asked some related to the kind of person I am.  I felt that they were genuinely interested in who I was.  I was very happy to be invited to the office for a second round of interviews.

BBD: Who did you meet with?
DJC:    I met with a manager, who was about to become a partner, Adam Watson, and Ron Scaramuzza, a partner.  They asked some of the heavier questions and really filled in all the other gaps about the firm.  I felt very comfortable with both of them and they both really made it clear that BBD is a firm that fosters staff development and is focused on long-term growth.  Following these interviews, I was taken out to lunch by two higher level staff.  They told me about their personal experiences at BBD… everything they liked and even things they didn’t like.  Of course the good things were nice to hear, but knowing what they didn’t like as well I felt was very valuable.  After processing everything, I really felt like I knew BBD and that it was where I wanted to be.        

 BBD:  When you got the offer to join BBD what was the first thing that popped into your mind?
DJC:    YES! Erin [McClafferty] called and gave me the news and that didn’t just pop into my mind, I yelled it out.  I had to hold my hand over the phone so she didn’t hear me yell.  It was difficult to maintain composure knowing that I just landed a job that I really wanted!

 BBD:  How would you describe your first year with BBD in one word?
DJC:  Busy, but it was a good busy.  I know that’s cliché, but there was always work to do and I had to learn a lot very quickly to keep up and hold my own.  BBD is the type of place that wants its staff to learn and progress, and they provide every opportunity to do so.  While there is a lot of work, there is also a lot of guidance from managers and partners to go with it.  

 BBD: Now, how would you describe your current position in one word?
DJC:  Challenging.  As I have progressed, the workload has become more complex, as expected, but I feel that the structure and training provided here allows me to deal with an increased workload more effectively and efficiently.  There is little handholding at BBD, but it is an environment that encourages growth and development.  All the resources needed are made available.  It can be tough at times, but I always feel I have the support to keep me on track.   

 BBD: That being said, what would you say has been the biggest challenge since you joined BBD?
DJC:  My biggest challenge since coming here has been passing the CPA exam.  There is a lot of emphasis on passing the exam, as there should be, but it isn’t easy to do while still having to get all of your normal work done.  I waited a couple years to take the exam, and I had acquired a lot of responsibilities in the meantime.  This meant not only long hours at work, but then long hours studying.  It is true, though, that the biggest challenges reap the biggest rewards!  

BBD: How?
DJC:   When I passed the exam I got a great big bonus from the firm!  At that point I also truly realized that this is what I really wanted to do, and I possessed the skills to do it.  That was very fulfilling. 

 BBD: If your team was a rock band who would they be and why?  And just for fun… what instrument would you play?
DJC:  Wow, although I must say I was waiting for a question like this.  It’s a little difficult to think of an answer on the spot.  Nonetheless, I guess I think we’d be a great jam band… like Phish.  I say that because typically everyone in a jam band knows their instrument very well and is capable of making great music without rehearsal, they’re great at improvising.  Each member has the ability to sound great on their own and seamlessly integrate into a group.  I feel the commercial team works that way.  We each have our strengths and can operate individually, and when we work together, we complement each other and can get any job done…no matter how big or complex. 

BBD: … and the instrument?
DJC:  I would play bass in the band, not only because I actually do play bass, but because I guess I feel one of my strengths is providing a consistent rhythm.

 BBD:  What has been the biggest surprise about BBD or public accounting in general since you started?
DJC:  Well,  the first thing that comes to mind with public accounting in general is all of the scandal and fraud that has been uncovered.  Some of the more significant examples go a little farther back than when I first started in the indsutry, but it has been the biggest surprise since I began studying accounting.  Most would consider the field to be, well, boring?  But I think all the press certainly changed that a little.

About BBD …I guess the biggest surprise was all the charity work we do, and it’s not just donating money, but time and presence to help those in need.  It’s not that often you hear about a CPA firm doing a lot of charity work, but I would definitely characterize the amount we do as just that, a lot.  We even have a committee dedicated to charity.   

BBD:  If you were to write a book about your career with BBD so far, what would its title be? 
DJC:  I would call it something like, “You made it! …Now keep going.”  I feel like I have been lucky enough to find a career that I truly enjoy, and at a firm that I am proud to be a part of.  I also feel like passing the exam was kind of my ‘made it’ moment, but it’s really only the beginning.  I feel I still have a long way to go, and given how dynamic this industry is, once I get there, there will likely be new goals I want to achieve.

BBD: What is your favorite part about BBD? 
DJC:  My favorite part about BBD is the atmosphere, more specifically, the people.  It’s rare that there is a dull moment in the office.  Everyone just seems to get along.  Even for someone like me who doesn’t really talk a lot, it’s a very comfortable environment.  I feel like we can all talk freely and joke around with each other.  I think that’s very important because there are times when we work a lot together, and having that kind of relationship really helps.

BBD:  How would you describe your career here in 3 words?
DJC:  Challenging, Dynamic, and Fulfilling.

BBD: Last but not least…what do you still hope to achieve here at BBD?
DJC:  A lot!  As I was saying before, as far as I have come, I think I still have a long way to go.  I couldn’t think of a better place than BBD to do it.  Currently hope to progress into a manager, and then partner.  My goal is to go all the way.  And even once I am there, I know there will more to learn, and different goals.  That’s rather open ended, but I won’t be able to define those goals until I get there.