Farrah Taylor, CPA

Assistant VP Fund Management – CREA, LLC

How has COVID-19 impacted how you work?
Like many professionals, I worked from home through most of the pandemic. I have since chosen to return to the office, but I enjoy the freedom of choosing days to work from home or wrapping up some work for the day after returning home from the office. I think remote working has taught us that working times can be more flexible and given us the ability to better balance work and personal time.

CPAs have had to quickly adapt to new technology as many are still working from home right now. What’s your favorite (or most used) app/technology and why?
Any video calling application. Video calling has been extremely important to me because it has been the best way for me to feel connected to my team. During busy season, my team stayed on a call all day, every day (video/audio voluntary), which allowed for great collaboration and was the next best thing to working in a room together.

You just started a new job. What is your favorite part so far?
I went from auditing affordable housing in my previous role to working for an affordable housing syndicator in my current role. My favorite part so far has been applying the knowledge I learned in my previous role to a new job. It has been really interesting looking at the same information from a new perspective.

Tell us how your career journey led you to your new job.
Since I started my career in auditing affordable housing, I have grown a passion for the industry. I really enjoy learning about the different programs and witnessing some of the great work that has been done. I have always enjoyed being a part of an industry that does so much good for others and decided I wanted to have a more direct role in the process by working for a syndicator.

You like to travel. What is one of your favorite trips you’ve taken?
Colorado. I enjoyed this vacation so much because I was able to face one of my biggest fears: I am terrified of heights, but I spent most of the vacation hiking in the mountains on narrow trails with steep cliffs. I even drove to the top of Pikes Peak, where this photo was taken.

What is the best thing you’ve read recently?
A selection from the INCPAS Young Professionals Leadership Academy called “Mentor: The Kid & The CEO” by Tom Pace with Walter Jenkins. It’s an inspiring story about mentorship and overcoming challenges.

Why did you decide to become a CPA?
My accounting professor noticed I was excelling in the class and encouraged me to declare accounting as my major. I enjoyed the course and knew it could be a challenging, rewarding and stable career.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the profession?
Figure out which parts of your career you truly enjoy and try to focus your work around those areas. Speak up about what you want out of your career.

How do you unwind after a busy day? Any hobbies?
I really enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking, when it’s nice out. I also love crafting and making gifts for people. I am always working on some sort of project.