2021 Ones to Watch: Danielle Arsenault, Manager, DGC (DiCicco, Gulman & Company LLP)

How do you contribute to your community or your profession? For the past eight years, I have been a member of the leadership team of the firm’s philanthropic committee, DGC Gives Back. We hold numerous events with employees throughout the year such as our back-to-school backpack drive in support of The Wish Project in Lowell, our Thanksgiving turkey drive in support of It Starts with Me! in Salem, and our holiday toy drive in support of The Wonderfund. Even during the pandemic, we held virtual events to support organizations in Eastern Massachusetts. At DGC we believe in supporting the communities where we work and live.

What led you to your current profession? While I was at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, I participated in the Semester in the Profession Program. Through that program, I became a tax season intern at DGC, and I worked closely with a real estate management client. As a result of that experience, I realized that public accounting, and specifically working with real estate clients, was the career path I wanted. It’s very rewarding to work in a profession where you can help clients achieve their goals.

How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles? Public accounting is a team-based profession, and the pandemic has created some challenges to maintaining team camaraderie and an engaging learning environment for new team members. I initiated 15-minute video calls with my real estate team members every Wednesday in what I called, “Mid-Week Mania.” We played games and answered trivia questions about ourselves. Not only did it provide the team with a break during the long hours of tax season, but it also helped us get to know each other better and stay motivated.

What advice can you offer to someone who is interested in a career in your industry? The public accounting industry is constantly changing and evolving. It’s critical to stay informed about industry trends and acknowledge that you need to maintain a “be curious” attitude in order to have a successful career. Above all else, helping clients is what matters the most. When I work closely with a real estate client and solve a complex problem, it reminds me why I chose this career.