Name: Mary McGill, but every calls me Maureen.

Job Title: CFO, Lou Peppe Business Services Inc

Previous Career Experience:

I worked in Moscow, Russia for Aer Rinta International from 1995 to 1997. Aer Rinta had a joint venture with a Russian Supermarket, SITCO, on Novy Arbat, I worked in the Finance Department. I was the Accounts Payable Manager with Whirlpool Shared Services Center in Dublin from 1997 to 2002. Whirlpool SSC did all the Finance for Whirlpool's European offices in Dublin. I then took a career break and retunred to work with Media Team 2003 to 2005, that published magazines, I was the Finance Manager. I then left to move to the US.

When and Why did you move to the US?

I came on the tourist visa looking for work. I applied for many jobs, got called for one Interview, they offered me a job and agreed to sponsor my work visa, how lucky was that! I worked in the Finance Department of Acorn Capital LLC, a Hedge Fund company in Greenwich, CT. My husband and I got married and moved to Florida in 2009, where we now live. As I can do my job completely remotely, last year I worked in Ireland for the summer and plan to do the same this year. I love living in Florida, the heat and the sunshine, but I love coming home to Ireland and spending time with my family.

What does your current job involve?

Myself and my Husband own a Bookkeeping and Payroll Business for small business. We have about 35 Clients; some we do Bookkeeping for others we do Payroll and some we do everything. We keep their bookkeeping up to date on a monthly basis. Each month the Business owner gets a copy of their Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss. We have two part time employees working with us, one works completely remotely since covid and the other works in the office. We use QuickBooks online and have online access to Clients Bank and Credit Cards.

What advice would you have for an Irish CPA interested in working in the US?

I would suggest spending the time to get a job offer. Use an emigration lawyer for the visa applications, it's not cheap but it is worth it. My CPA Qualification was not recognised in the US at the time but when I explain that I have my CPA Qualification from Ireland, they understand my training.