Employee Spotlight is a blog series meant to offer an inside look at our company culture and, most importantly, highlight the talented individuals who help make our company so special. From accountants and software implementation specialists to operations, marketing, and HR professionals, get to know the people behind Chazin & Company.
Today, we are getting to know Michelle Philo, one of our talented Director of New Client Experience and Technical Services. Michelle is based out of Tennessee and has been with Chazin & Company since 2020. Let's learn more about her:
1. Tell us a bit about your role at Chazin & Company?
As Director of New Client Experience and Technical Services, my teams assist with onboarding new clients and ensuring our clients have the right systems in place to create strong internal controls and maximize efficiencies. We evaluate the accounting processes in place to determine accounting cleanup needed for better presentation of financial information for our client’s staff, management, and board. We perform any “catch-up” accounting needed and transition new clients to a dedicated long-term client services team. We also perform our quality control reviews prior to sending monthly financial reports and audit packages to our clients and their audit firms. Additionally, our technical services team continues to explore new and upcoming software to enhance our services and build our team’s efficiency.
2. What's the most rewarding part about your job?
I truly enjoy helping our nonprofit clients to achieve their goals by providing relevant and useful financial information. I also enjoy assisting in streamlining the accounting and finance function for our clients, allowing them the maximum time available to work toward their mission. It is fascinating to learn about our new nonprofit clients and the motivation and stories behind their missions.
3. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to travel, read, play fantasy football, and practice yoga. And this fall, you will find me at the Georgia Tech football games cheering on the team and my stepson, Aaron.
4. What's your favorite volunteer activity?
While I usually end up being recruited for board treasurer, I truly enjoy any activity where I can roll up my sleeves and get involved. One of our family’s favorite volunteer activities is United Way of Sumner County’s Stuff the Bus program. My family and I have helped collect and sort school supplies, filled backpacks, and distributed them to students throughout Sumner County, Tennessee for the last eight years.
5. Please share any exciting news or a fun fact about yourself:
I am a native of Nashville and one of the rare natives still living in the area. My son, Ethan, started medical school this fall at Quillen School of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee; my daughter, Ava, is a junior at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga; and my stepson, Aaron, is a freshman at Georgia Tech University. We also have a high school sophomore, Emma, playing volleyball in Athens, Georgia. My weekends are busy traveling to visit the kids with my three dogs Charlie, Carson, and Rocky.
Thank you, Michelle! Would you like to be part of the Chazin & Company team? Check out our careers page for current opportunities and don't forget to check back next month for a new Employee Spotlight.