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Vanessa gross, CPA “Every morning, spread your wings and fly a little farther than yesterday.” ~Unknown


Early in her career, Vanessa Gross, CPA, an assurance manager with Ernst & Young LLP in Tulsa, Oklahoma, set a goal to live and work abroad. Gross said, “I strived toward this goal


diligently by being bold and by networking with executives on my engagement teams and at the Tulsa and southwest region offices.” Ernst & Young LLP granted Gross the


opportunity to work abroad in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, for 18 months. While living in Amsterdam, Gross said her biggest challenge was the transition from a follower to a leader in U.S. accounting standards. “I had to learn how to research more, find


resources inside and outside of the firm and put together answers to questions that were presented to my engagement executives or my clients,” Gross said. “I worked in an unfamiliar and fast-paced office environment, which pushed me to adopt a different mindset and learn new skills.” Gross returned to Tulsa in October 2015


vanessa’s Trail mix If I weren’t a CPA, I would be: A sommelier


One thing on my bucket list is: Visit at least 50 countries (halfway there!)


If you could be on any game show, what would it be? Supermarket Sweep What word best describes you? Tenacious


and said her experience in Amsterdam has benefitted her career by making her more comfortable with technical guidance and research, which helps her formulate better solutions to problems. “I have worked with people from all over


the world, using every type of communication so I am more prepared to jump into any kind of situation and adapt to what is called for at the time,” Gross said. “This has also enhanced my ability to find different ways to say the same thing if something isn’t clicking with the person I am working with.”


March/April 2016 CPAFOCUS 15


Kathy Waddell, CPA, an audit senior manager with Ernst & Young LLP in Tulsa, said, “Vanessa has quickly brought her international experience and skills to the team to further the coordination and integration of the foreign nationals at our location.” The Tulsa native said her most significant


community achievement was leading the Tulsa Area United Way Emerging Leaders Society (ELS) Steering Committee. Gross, an OSCPA member for three years,


led communications initiatives for ELS by using social media and networking opportunities to reach its target audience. She also came up with the idea to incorporate networking and mentoring into each of ELS’s events. “By being a part of this group and leading


its communications, I was able to see a shift in my community and was proud to be a part of that change,” Gross said. “I was raised in Tulsa and, as a young professional, I wanted to give back to a community that gave so much to me.” Gross, who is a member of the Young


Professionals of Bartlesville, said, “I am excited to see what opportunities there are to help make a change.”


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