Partner
Watermark CPA Group, LLC

6 A.M.: Wake up to Alexa telling me to get out of bed. No snooze for me—waking up at the same time every day helps with my sleep patterns, which keeps my energy and focus at their optimum levels. Oh, and coffee helps too! I use this time to get myself centered and ready to tackle the day.

6:30 A.M.: My wife and I get the kids going before school. This is probably one of our biggest challenges of the day: everyone wants five more minutes and we have to have lunches ready, go over after school practice/event schedules, sign off on homework. Let’s just say the kids are not morning people.

7:30 A.M.: Once the kids are ready for school, I prepare for my workday. I use this time to set a plan for the day with goals for what I should accomplish. If I don't do this my day gets overrun by emails and my focus is all over the place. Dedicating time each day to setting a plan with goals is more than just having a to-do list to cross off completed tasks (but I admit, I do enjoy crossing off each task!). This process helps me focus on the big stuff that creates the greatest impact for clients, employees and the practice. Don't get me wrong, the smaller stuff still matters, but I have learned I can ask for help with these tasks or save them for another day.

8:30 A.M.: Arrive at work. I get a second cup of coffee, return emails and text messages, check in with staff on the status of projects and address a few questions.

9 A.M.: Zoom conference with a local banking relationship to help mediate a line of credit renewal with a tax client. We discuss potential deal structures that would benefit both sides and keep the relationship stable. It was a tough call because both sides had issues they needed to address in the renewal, but like most things in business working together and communicating openly helped in arriving at a compromise. I email the client to update them on how the call went and notify them they should expect a call from the bank.

9:30 A.M.: Conference call with a client to discuss the differences between a W-2 employee and a partner who must be paid via a guaranteed payment. It seems like a minor issue, but for the client they have never faced this problem before, and they own several businesses where this could be an issue. We discuss how to leverage this new knowledge so the client is comfortable making their own decisions and how to communicate to those impacted by the change.

10 A.M.: Microsoft Teams conference with a client and their retirement plan advisor. We discuss possible strategies for amending their plan design to allow both employees and the owners to contribute more to the plan. This call is rewarding because we were able to coach the client who is trying to do something that will improve the lives of their employees, help attract more talented team members and allow her to contribute more towards her own retirement.

11 A.M.: Spend a few minutes to check email and text messages.

11:30 A.M.: I always try and take a lunch break, even if it is just for a half hour.

12:30 P.M.: Answer an unscheduled phone call. It is a referral source with an opportunity to bid on an audit engagement with a medical device company. About half of the call was focused on the prospect and determining what their needs were. The other half was spent catching up with each other on a personal level. It is nice to have the opportunity to meet so many great people through the profession.

1:15 P.M.: Meet with one of our client service professionals to debrief on how busy season went. In this meeting it was critical that I just listened to our talented team member share what worked well and what didn't over the past couple of months. It is amazing what you can learn from listening to your team members and how their insights can have such a meaningful impact on how we grow and innovate as a practice. We end the meeting by creating a list of action items and schedule a follow up meeting two months out.

2:45 P.M.: Review a Paycheck Protection Program Application for Forgiveness. After completing my review, I meet with the team member who assisted the client in completing the application to go over my thoughts and recommendations. This is a great chance for me to connect with teammates inside the practice and coach them. This is important and is best done in person, not over email.

3:30 P.M.: I spend some time in my office responding to emails and text messages (due to tech innovations I rarely receive voice messages these days and I can't say I miss them). I also use this time to reflect on the day, review what was accomplished and what tasks I need to carry over to tomorrow.

4:15 P.M.: Leave the office to head home for an early dinner with the family before coaching my daughter’s softball game.



4:45 P.M.: Family dinner is chaotic, but one of the few times we can all be together. My wife and I ask everyone how their day was and receive the customary response, "FINE." The conversation turns into an interrogation of each of our daughters to see if we can drag anything out of them about their day. The kids give off a vibe they are annoyed, but I think they actually enjoy knowing my wife and I care about what is going on in their lives.

6 P.M.: Off to coach a softball game for my youngest daughter Lilah, which is one of the favorite parts of my day. Being around third, fourth and fifth graders is a reminder of what is important and not to take myself too seriously, which I have a tendency to do. We win a real nail biter, 7-5, and I walked off the field feeling great for the players who are screaming and hugging each other. It doesn't get much better than that!

8 P.M.: The day is nearly over. After cleaning up from the game and putting the house back in order from the day’s activities, my wife and I spend some time talking about our day and what we have going on tomorrow. This time is important for my wife and I to connect and to wind down from a busy day. Next, we collect cell phones from the kids and it is lights out. I try to go to bed around the same time each night, but this rarely happens.

Everyone is different but for me the key to a rewarding day is balance. Wherever I am, at the office, at home or at the kids’ school, I try to be present. I can't be two places at once, so I try to immerse myself in the moment and not allow myself to get distracted. I have found this allows me to enjoy my day more, appreciate what I do and have gratitude for the family I have.

About Me

NAME: Tony Bultinck, CPA

JOB TITLE: Partner

COMPANY: Watermark CPA Group, LLC

COMPANY SIZE: 29 professionals

JOB DESCRIPTION: Client service partner with a concentration in audits of privately held businesses

PREVIOUS POSITIONS: Audit professional at Crowe, director of finance at a software developer

ALMA MATER: Butler University

INCPAS INVOLVEMENT: Past Board Member, Leadership Cabinet, CPA Advocate
  

When I'm Not at Work

FAMILY: Wife Amy (source of inspiration), daughter Hope (serious student), daughter Mia (social chairman), daughter Lilah (athlete)

PETS: Dog Casey

HOBBIES: Golf, coaching softball and basketball

OTHER MEMBERSHIPS/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Belong to Christ the King Catholic Church, financial advisor to Phi Delta Theta at Butler University, member of the Northside Catholic Business Exchange, softball coach at Broad Ripple Haverford Little League, basketball coach at Christ the King grade school

Advice for Students Considering the Profession

The accounting profession allows you access to so many different opportunities—don’t be afraid to walk through a newly opened door when you have the chance.

Best Advice You’ve Ever Received

Do your best and always do the right thing!

Do you think a day in your life would make a good addition to our series? Contact Katie Kirkton at kkirkton@incpas.org to find out how you can share your story.

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