Flexibility: How Do I Get It?

Flexibility is something we all want — finding a way to ensure things at work are getting done as

Kara Lindsey
Talent Acquisition Senior Associate
Des Moines, IA

well as having enough time for our family and our interests at home. Flexibility continues to be an important factor in the workplace to be able to attract top talent.

As a recruiter, I get the chance to “sell” the idea of working at RSM US LLP on a daily basis and one of the top selling points is RSM’s flexibility, both informal flexibility and our formalized flexible work options.

What does flexibility look like in real life? I spoke with a few employees at RSM about what flexibility means to them:

“Flexibility to me means being able to serve clients (internal or external) from wherever I need to, and having access to the tools and support required to do so. In my position, I have the flexibility to work from home if need be, which is extremely important for the stage I’m in with having young kids. There is no shortage of connectivity and I’m able to maintain relationships and deliver the power of being understood.” - Jessica Thayer, RSM scheduling specialist

“It means not being “stuck” working 8 (or 9) to 5 but having the ability to come in later or stay later, or even come in early and leave early without getting in “trouble.” It means being able to work from home if you are able to or being able to just get up and leave if a family emergency occurs.” - Danielle Spoerry, tax processing specialist

“While I’m studying for the CPA exam, my job at the NASC gives me the chance to gain a lot of tax experience and open doors for my career. The flexible hours allow me to work hard while still having time to study or just wind down.” - Jordan Qatami, Tax Associate at RSM’s North America Service Center in Tempe, AZ

But how do you earn flexibility in the workplace? Is it okay to ask for flexibility? Will we be looked at negatively if we do? Here are a few tips to help employees discuss flexibility and ensure it works for them and their teams.

• Start by earning your flexibility. Show that you can be trusted and that people can believe in you — if you say you are going to do something, it is going to get done and done on time. What I have found is that people will work hard for you if you trust them and give them the flexibility they need to get things done. 
• Yes. It’s OK to ask for flexibility. When approaching your manager to discuss a formal flexible work arrangement, be prepared with an in-depth plan of how a formal flexible arrangement will work. Identify reasons for requesting the arrangement and help establish how you will be accountable for your work.
• For informal flexibility, meaning flexing time as needed, be sure to discuss with your manager the team norms and preferred approach to letting your manager and the team know you’re taking advantage of flexibility – be it working remotely or flexing your hours. 
• Maintain regular contact and visibility with colleagues
• Ensure all requests are put in writing.

Life throws many curveballs at us and it is important to have a flexible company that can adjust, because life happens. I’m proud to say we do a fantastic job of this at RSM.

Kick starting your career in International Tax

At RSM, tax is one of our three main services. What many people might not realize is that there are many smaller specialty groups within the larger tax practice. RSM’s international tax group offers local knowledge and global perspective to help clients with a broad range of issues. To get a better understanding of what it is like to start a career in international tax, we caught up with Victoria R., an international tax associate, who shared her insight.

What was your biggest challenge transitioning from college to working as an associate?

Waking up early (joking!). Probably the hardest part was the shock of how little I actually knew. I, like many people I know, went to school for accounting and sat through hours upon hours of classes. After graduation, I thought ‘okay, I know everything there is to know’, but boy was I wrong. While all those hours of classes certainly gave me the basics and were invaluable, there is a large difference between knowing something in theory and knowing something in practice. While it was a bit overwhelming at first, my colleagues and managers always took the time to teach me and help me grow. And I am still growing and learning two years later.

How did you know you wanted to work in tax?

I chose tax because I like to solve problems. Obviously our clients come to us not only to do their tax returns, but also to advise them on taking advantage of available credits and incentives as well as help plan their operations in a tax efficient manner. This is where my enjoyment of tax lies, within the consulting. A client may need to repatriate foreign earnings or open a manufacturing plant in Germany or wants to know if there are any incentives for exporting their goods. There are many possible answers to endless situations, and I enjoy helping clients figure out which answer is the right one for them.

Did you know what international tax was prior to starting at RSM?

Not exactly. I thought International Tax (ITax) would include more international travel, but mostly we work with US clients who do work abroad (exports, foreign subsidiaries, etc.), or foreign persons who do work in the US. We see how their activities will affect their US tax. We also work with other RSM International offices in order to provide our clients with a worldwide picture of how a certain transaction will be taxed.

What would you say is the difference between the work you do and the work that people in other tax groups at RSM do?

ITax is largely a consulting group, with a large majority of the group being lawyers, not accountants. Not many other tax groups do as much consulting as we do. But, as I mentioned before, this is one of the reasons I enjoy my work so much.

How often do you have contact with partners and upper level management in the group?

Every hour or so. As we aren’t a large group, there are several projects on which I work directly with partners and senior managers. We are also a very friendly group, so there are several times people will stop by just say hi to each other.

What do you think you have learned the most in your time in the international tax group?

I could fill a long novel with what I have learned knowledge-wise in my time with the group. As far as skills I have learned, I would say self-review and being okay with the fact that I don’t have to know it all. Self-review has helped me make sure I am happy with my work product and don’t produce a balance sheet that didn’t balance. And as I mentioned before, there is a large learning curve when you start working, but the curve never truly goes away. There are always questions you will be asked that you don’t know the answer to, and it is okay for you to say that you don’t know.

To learn more about international tax at RSM click here!