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Hannah, Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at J Geyer Plumbing, Inc. dba Paws Plumbing: Advize Career Interview

An Accounting and Human Resources Assistant role at Paws Plumbing, as described by Hannah, offers a dynamic experience blending financial acumen and interpersonal skills.

Starting with diverse experiences in customer service, finance, and leadership from prior roles, a typical day involves timecard entry, accounts receivable management, and invoicing.

This position demands strong prioritization and detail orientation but provides ample opportunities for skill diversification, including customer service, fundraising, and event planning.

While communication challenges between office and field workers can arise, particularly during training, the role offers a blend of qualitative and quantitative tasks, preventing monotony.

Industry veterans' passion for building creates a rewarding environment for networking and learning.

Thriving requires organization and independence, and seeking guidance from advisors and professors is critical for making informed career decisions. Crucially, willingness to learn from mistakes is vital for professional growth.

Entry-level candidates should explore assistant roles in payroll or HR, especially within smaller companies where on-the-job training is available.

This role provides a unique balance of financial and people-oriented tasks, making it a rewarding career path.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Hannah Coleman

Accounting and Human Resources Assistant

J Geyer Plumbing, Inc. dba Paws Plumbing

Denison University

University of San Diego Knauss School of Business

Economics

Construction

Human Resources (HR)

Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member

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Career Path Of An Accounting And Human Resources Assistant At Paws Plumbing

Prior to their current role at Paws Plumbing, Hannah gained customer service and financial experience at Nordstrom, where they "handled customer transactions" and managed cash. Furthermore, as treasurer/president of the equestrian team, Hannah managed a substantial budget and coordinated schedules, showcasing leadership and organizational skills relevant to both accounting and human resources.

Main Responsibilities of an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing

Hannah's main responsibilities as an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing include payroll processing, ensuring "everybody's hours are recorded properly" and deductions are correct. Furthermore, the role includes accounting responsibilities such as managing accounts receivable for the service side and performing monthly bank reconciliations.

A Day in the Life of an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing

As an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing, Hannah spends a "majority of the day" entering timecards into the accounting software, particularly on Mondays when "more of an influx of the timecard from the prior week" arrive, which can take a few hours. Later in the week, the focus shifts to accounting tasks like emailing invoices to customers and "following up on invoices" with property managers and businesses to ensure timely payment.

Most Important Skills for an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing

For an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at a small plumbing company, "being able to prioritize" tasks is essential due to the many roles one juggles, requiring the ability to discern and meet deadlines. Furthermore, Hannah suggests being "detail oriented" is critical, given the numbers-based nature of the work and the need to ensure everything balances.

Favorite Parts Of Being An Accounting And Human Resources Assistant At Paws Plumbing

Hannah enjoys the opportunities for skill diversification in their role as an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant, finding the small company environment conducive to "learn[ing] a lot of different skills" beyond the core responsibilities. The chance to assist with customer service, fundraising, and event planning has allowed Hannah to "push [themself] outside of [their] comfort zone" and broaden their professional experience.

Biggest Challenges Faced by an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing

Hannah's biggest challenge at Paws Plumbing stems from communication difficulties between the office and field workers, especially when "it's difficult to get responses back when needed in a timely manner" due to the company's structure; this challenge extends to training new employees, as it requires adapting teaching methods to "how other people learn best" to ensure their success.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Construction Industry as an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant

Hannah enjoys the passion that many people in the construction industry, especially on the "office side," have for building. Networking has allowed Hannah to connect with and learn from industry veterans who "really love what they're doing", which is a fantastic experience.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Plumbing Industry, According To An Accounting And Human Resources Assistant At Paws Plumbing

Hannah from Paws Plumbing believes that to thrive in an Accounting and HR role within the plumbing industry, a person must be "very organized" in order to prioritize tasks effectively. They must also possess a high degree of independence, as the role is often "very computer facing" and requires a person to learn independently.

What an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Plumbing Industry

Hannah learned that the Accounting and Human Resources Assistant role offers a "nice balance between qualitative and quantitative" work, something not fully appreciated initially. J Geyer Plumbing employee enjoys this hybrid nature, as it keeps one engaged and prevents boredom by offering a variety of interesting tasks.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Accounting And Human Resources Assistants

Hannah at Paws Plumbing suggests that entry-level candidates consider positions like payroll specialist assistant or human resources assistant, especially at smaller companies where there might be "potential for beginner roles" that combine accounting and HR duties. These roles often have "assistant" in the title, require minimal experience, and offer on-the-job training.

Significant Career Lesson From an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing

Hannah from Paws Plumbing emphasizes that mistakes are inevitable, but the crucial lesson is how one handles them. "Being willing to ask for help" to learn from errors and grow is essential, as past experiences with individuals unwilling to learn made it "very difficult to trust them" and hindered their professional development.

College Experiences That Helped an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant at Paws Plumbing Succeed

To prepare for a career, Hannah prioritized seeking guidance from college advisors and professors, leveraging "industry insight" that was invaluable in making informed decisions about career paths. Additionally, being actively involved in campus organizations like a sorority and club sports exposed Hannah to diverse interests and career possibilities outside the academic sphere.

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