Andrea Nodoro
Partner
Citrin Cooperman

Women mentors are so important in this day and age. Do you mentor others or did you have a mentor who was inspirational in your life?

I have mentored others and been fortunate enough to have women mentors who encouraged me. When mentoring female colleagues, I share my experiences as a female industry veteran, and the most impactful conversations have been when I am transparent about missteps throughout my career and how they taught me invaluable lessons while shaping my journey to success. I can still recall conversations with mentors at my first public accounting firm, and I continue to seek out mentorship from female leaders within my current firm because I value their guidance, insights, and feedback.

What are the greatest challenges women in leadership experience? Are more challenges external or internal?

Several challenges include lack of representation, double standards, and unequal compensation. In 2021, the AICPA reported women only comprise 39% of partner roles in public accounting firms. Though greater than 23% in 2019, women are still underrepresented. Women face double standards when exhibiting traditional leadership qualities like assertiveness and decisiveness and are evaluated through a different lens than male counterparts. Finally, compensation for women in leadership roles continues to lag compared to male peers. Although these challenges may indicate a gender bias, there have been significant improvements, and women should continue to move the needle.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

My advice is be humble, do not be afraid to fail, and surround yourself with a supportive network. In Julie Boorstin’s book, When Women Lead, 120 female leaders shared the understanding that being humble enough to recognize they did not know everything helped them grow as leaders. Failures are often seen as negative, however they are steps along the path to success and are powerful tools a strong leader’s growth. Learn to set your ego aside to really listen to those around you. A supportive network includes mentors and those sharing similar experiences and can be relied upon to provide valuable advice from their own journeys.

“Citrin Cooperman” is the brand under which Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm, and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC serve clients’ business needs. The two firms operate as separate legal entities in an alternative practice structure. The entities of Citrin Cooperman & Company, LP and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC are independent member firms of the Moore North America, Inc.(MNA) Association, which is itself a regional member of Moore Global Network Limited (MGNL). All the firms associated with MNA are independently owned and managed entities. Their membership in, or association with, MNA should not be construed as constituting or implying any partnership between them.

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