Abel Barragan: YEP of the Year

BARRAGAN 1 aro thankful for live many notable mcntoTs throughoul my Isfe. Hirst, I could not ask for better role models than my parents. They Ye always encouraged und supported cue, and always lidd me to die highest of expectations. At my íirm. 1 aura special thank* to Jake Sheffield, who was my mentor for my first two years and has been vital tu my growth and develop ment. Jake listened to my goalseven those that seemed uti realistic-and would help me define die roadmap u? accomplish them, Having® mentor that believed in my career and me has been critical io my develop menu Jake's interaction! with dien« and his diligence in his wi»rk prudiu t ha« sel the bar high fur «tir.

CaiCPA: f* mentoring Emportant?

B A R R AG A Mentoring is essential. Il & a complement to training. The training we do it primarily about foncticwiaJ tilings. Mentoring is much mon; ni rout Coaching arid Counseling It'* more about the qualitative and subjective pans oí ou# careersMemora are diere lo help you deal with frustration, to give you constructive criticism ami, to push you beyond your ceimfon /one among many other things. Mentoring is a professional development tool dial cart help you navigate organizational culture, solve problems ar.d advance your career, It's alvo a great way for firms to make: ture their personnel are ready to manage and lead.

CaiCPA: Do you. do any mentoring yourself in d ie workplace?

BARRAGAN I'm a "buddy" for new hites and internsI always make myself available and provide positive feedback for people just starting f like to believe that my "buddies11 are comfortable liking me questions or seeking feedback citt lifer perform.roer. I warn them to ktvow that 1th here to help Lhcm. 1 Teel it's impartant ta seL the tune early.! strongly belicw that, if the people around you are doing well and arc advancing lifer career, l hen that's a belter measure of your Own success and af the firm's,

GalCPA: Are there parallels between yuur work and the time you sjjrud managing, coaching and playing for your soccer team in Oxnard?

BARRAGAN Tlrebiggest paralid is the role that transwork and communication play, Most people would be surprised on how vital Learn work is in an accounting furo. T believe Lhac conunuiacatioft has profound effects in Leims of how people can learn from each other and how they can achieve their goals,

CaiCPA; Who's your favorite So win the FIFA Work! Cup i» Brazil thisyear?

B AR R AG A N Germany. They might have the toughest group with Chana, the United Slates and Portugal but, with the form and talern Germany is producing, it's hard not to set diem as favorite*,

CalCPA: What other things fill your free lirtte?

BARRACAN: If I'm not playing soccer or wwfcing, 9 like visiting a few local Santa Barbara. establishment*, namely the Sportsman and the Neighborhood far "Bar Olympics." It could also be called team building with my co-workers after n long day during tax season, I'm also an avid fan of the TV shows "The Walking Dead" arid "Game of Thrones»" and I love going to the moví«.

CalCPA: When and vrîly tfiil you get involved with CalCPA?

BARRAGAN: I got involved with CaJCEA tw o year* ago, thanks to my coworker Katie Rhcw, Katie wax the chapter's YBP Committee chair, and pretty much "vnlim told" me dial I was going to tw her co-chair, Our lirm » realty active in our local chapter, so co-chairing and taking over the YEP rote wi*a natural pnjgrewon that my firm fully supported.

CafCPA: Wlhau role has CalCPA played in your profosriorud life?

BARRAGAN At ferst, 1 associated CalCPA a* ihc sponsor of n fot of CPE events I attended. However, after sitting on die YEP Committee it has become so much more. It has pushed me to learn new stalls, such as event planning, networking and faciltlabng die networking of other*. Public speaking Is daunting to anyone-especially to mebut when you're in a leadership position, you're forced to speak in front nf large groups. Thanks Lo CalCPA, Ihn overcoming my fear of public speaking Now, if you give me note cards arid podium, 1 fed like can tackle the world,

CalCPA: What docs being a young and emerging professional mean to you?

BARRAGAN Fmeiging is a powerful vvurtl became it essentially groups you with pcopV who you know are going to be leaders in their Firm and community By calling the group young and emerging prufessionaJi, you know citai, when yon attc»H ivn «rat spejnpored by ihr group, you'll be around individuals thru have the »me career aspiration* and goal* you have.

CalCPA: IVhaL. if any. are the professional challenges unique m YEPs?

BARRAGAN Üe ter mi rung what's Bâti, or what options and.opportunities are available aficr they get their CPA license. YEPs art Curtsisltrtlly .Seeking way* U> develop and grow. I'm hoping diat our YEP event* provide that stir! üf guidance in ;i fun networking environment,

CalCPA; What are your priorities/goals when trying to organize a YEP event?

BARRAGAN If someone is going to Lake the time to conic to one of my events, T want them to leave with a new outlook, skill or friend. I try to iiuxirporatc professions] and personal development speakers into niyeventx I wanl attendees to look back at the evetiL and be thankful for tlsnr free glass of wine, but abo far the jn m mu qua. Essen dally, I want my event* to have that X factor,

CalCPA: What do YEPs need die mon Front their finra?

BARRAGAN: Guidance and mentoring I also think firms need to involve YFPs more in internal di««»»«* trod decision malting If YEPs are the future of their firms, they should have more of an input.

CalCPA: From CalCPA?

BA R RAGAN : YEPs would benefit more from CalCPA if It would offer more nonleqhroca] CPE and workshops related to professional development. Thew> should cover such things ai Jcadenhip skills» professional conduct and behavior, how to effectively net wer*, tur work-life balance. I hope that's something the YEP Committee can help deliver,

CalCPA: Is diere is a YEP stereotype? If so, what is il and hew« cam it he extinguished?

BARRAGAN: I don't think so. There is die standard definition of a YEP pci CalCPA» whkli ti ¿i CPA luuiihiLiîr nr ;t inrwJy liCi-ilta'il CPA five years into ibdr career While that's die define lion. 1 think, a YEP can be any professional who is determined to develop hin professional skillv

C a IC PA : What docs being named the statewide YF.P of ihc Year mean to you?

BARRAGAN: I'm at a Jews for ward*. I fori so undeserving of this award. It's simply incredible to be recognised by CalCPA and my firm, I'm humbled!by ihr kind words and support I've received from my CalCPA chapier und my prcrf. However, I dunk being named the YEP of the Yearcorews wiLh tome added pressure and wpeeiatiotti, of which I hope I can live tip to and represent CalCPA in a positive way.

CalCPA: Where do you picture yourself IB yean from now?

BA R RAG A N That is a tough question. I don't know, I just turned Í5 and, for the first time, I'm not suit what I will Ik doing live to ID year* from now. Growing up you always had a roadmap thaï took you from point A to point B: Complete your A-G requirements tu go tu college, finish college and get * job Now the only roadmap n> follow is the one 1 make» which can take me in any direction I cboottv

CalCPA: Whai advice do ynu have for YEPs just joining a firm and starting their careers?

BARRAGAN: Valise hard work, Gnsfek thing» come out oT hard work. It's not always what you gel for it that mailers, hut fonvh.it and who you become because of that hard work, *r'

Congratulations to our other YEP of the Year nominees:

Megan BoLdizsar

Orange Cotmty/Long Beach Chapter

Charles Burak

Es&t Bay Chapter

Bryan Carpenter

San Diego Chapter

Nie Diosa

Fresno Chapter

Great things come out of hard work. It's not always what you get for it that matters, but for what and who you become because of that hard work.