Robert Benson, CPA “The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” ~Stephen McCranie

Robert Benson, CPA, an assurance manager with Ernst & Young LLP in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fulfilled his greatest professional achievement more than 9,000 miles away – during an opportunity to participate in a three-month international rotation in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia. “I had no international experience in

business or traveling prior to the rotation, but I had spent time speaking with people in the [Ernst & Young LLP] office and built up the courage to apply for the opportunity,” Benson said. “My family moved multiple times throughout my childhood, but nothing was as drastic as the move to another country.” Before his rotation in Australia, Benson had

primarily worked with two clients in the coal mining and oil and gas industries. However, his experience expanded to the financial, meat processing, manufacturing, hospitality and resort industries while working in Australia. “One of my proudest accomplishments

while in Australia was researching various accounting policy issues according to the Australian Accounting Standards Board… Typically in Australia, people at my level weren’t given opportunities like this, but I was lucky to be given the opportunity to lead the revaluation procedures for our client’s office building,” Benson said. “While on assignment in Australia, Rob

demonstrated leadership in teaching audit best practices to the teams he worked with, making our firm stronger,” said Anita Holloway, CPA, a partner with Ernst & Young LLP in Tulsa. “He is committed to outstanding client service,

8 CPAFOCUS March/April 2016

is well liked by all of his clients and is an outstanding role model for our people.” Benson, an OSCPA member for three years,

has also reached personal accomplishments through his involvement with Junior Achievement. “I was approached by an employee at [Ernst

& Young LLP] about potentially volunteering for Junior Achievement early in my career,” Benson said. “I had never heard of it prior to being approached and when I learned what [Junior Achievement] did for young individuals in the community, I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of in Tulsa.” Junior Achievement is the world’s largest

organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. “I always make it a point to bring in donuts

for the students for a reward for doing a great job with the lesson,” Benson said. “It’s extremely encouraging being able to entertain while still providing a lesson that sticks with the class.” After his first class, Benson was asked to be

a coordinator for the Junior Achievement Tulsa office, where he continues to volunteer. “The experiences that I have had with my

classes have taught me more about myself and others than I could have ever imagined.”

Robert’s Trail mix

What is your ideal vacation destination? Queenstown, New Zealand

If you could be on any game show, what would it be? Jeopardy!

One thing on my bucket list is: Travel to every continent

Have you ever met anyone famous? I saw Kurt Russell eating a burger once