How Accountants Can Shoot to the Top in Their Accounting Firms: An Accounting Profile of Ryan Dumermuth
By Robin Salisian
In this article, you’ll discover how accountant Ryan Dumermuth shot to the top by studying hard, serving as an accountant with Rea & Associates, and listening to mentors. Today, he not only has received recognition for all his hard work, but he has also acquired a wealth of practical advice to give to young accounting professionals.
Act Now! Activate a FREE three days trial to AccountingCrossing.com, because you know how important it is to know about all the jobs.
''My transition from a staff accountant to my current position of shareholder was the fairly typical transition you see in a public accounting firm.''
As a CPA, CFP, and partner with Rea & Associates, Ryan Dumermuth shot to the top in his accounting career and has yet to come back down. The proof of his success lies in his skills, abilities, and the firm-wide mentoring award he received from the numerous staff members he’s managed. But how did Dumermuth’s successful journey into the accounting industry begin?
An Accountant’s Education Can Include a Degree in Business Administration and an Emphasis in Accounting
Dumermuth seemed destined for an accounting job from a fairly early age. ''I first became interested in accounting when I took a couple classes in high school,'' says Dumermuth. ''I enjoyed the classes and did well.'' However, unable to decide where to go to college, Dumermuth stayed home and attended Tuscarawas of Kent State for a year. Later, he transferred to Baldwin-Wallace College, where he graduated three years later with a B.A. in Business Administration and an emphasis in accounting.
''In 1998, I enrolled in Ashland University’s MBA program and completed that in 2001. Looking back, it’s obvious my parents influenced me quite a bit. They taught me discipline and the importance of a strong work ethic.''
Dumermuth’s Career Path Begins at Rea & Associates…And His Responsibilities, Including Providing Tax, Accounting, and Consulting Services, Double
On June 26, 1995, Dumermuth secured an accounting position with Rea & Associates and has been there ever since. He has consistently progressed, however, from one position to the next.
''My transition from a staff accountant to my current position of shareholder was the fairly typical transition you see in a public accounting firm,'' he humbly admits. ''However, I became office manager in Mentor by accepting a transfer from New Philadelphia (where I spent the first 11 years of my career) when we acquired an existing one-office CPA firm in 2006.''
''Busy'' is one word that describes this Accounting Star. From accounting to consulting, Dumermuth does it all.
''My responsibilities include providing tax, accounting, and consulting services to my client base. My duties as office manager are broad and varied, but the primary ones are personnel, quality assurance, processes and procedures, the facility and equipment within [the office], production, financial results, marketing, vision, and growth.''
The Challenges and the Rewards of His Accounting Career Include Dealing with Personnel
''The most challenging element has to do with personnel — like deciding whether or not to hire a specific candidate for a position,'' says Dumermuth. ''It is also sometimes difficult to deliver critical feedback (constructive criticism), but it’s necessary for an employee’s professional development.''
In spite of the occasional difficulty, Dumermuth excels in these challenges. His leadership abilities have earned him recognition. According to Becca Davis, marketing coordinator at Rea & Associates, ''[Ryan] excelled in the leadership role and has since been promoted to shareholder (the youngest in the firm). He has a true passion for what he does, and younger team members can vouch for the fact that he is a wealth of knowledge for younger professionals.''
Dick Longfellow, Jeff Tucker, Greg Goodie, and Mike Noretto Arrive in Dumermuth’s Life: Mentoring Dumermuth
''It would be difficult to name one person that influenced me the most,'' Dumermuth says when asked if he’s had any significant mentors in his career. ''As my career progressed in the New Philadelphia office, each of the partners I worked with had some influence on my career. I learned a lot from each of them.
''Dick Longfellow, a retired partner of Rea & Associates — my office was next to Dick’s for several years before I made partner. I listened to how he spoke with clients. He helped tremendously as I began handling my own clients, as well as those that he transitioned to me in anticipation of retirement.
''Jeff Tucker, a current Rea shareholder in New Philadelphia — Jeff forced me to think on my own and trained me on a lot of technical accounting- and auditing-related issues. I have always felt like Jeff was ‘in my corner.’ He supported me and helped to build up my confidence.
''Greg Goodie, a current Rea shareholder in New Philadelphia — I could always go to Greg with any issue — business or personal.
''Mike Noretto, a current Rea shareholder in New Philadelphia — Mike was the office manager in New Philadelphia for many years. I learned from him and respected his business acumen and ability to develop new business.''
Dumermuth Offers Advice for Those New to the Accounting Industry
''Look for a firm that has a philosophy to train and develop young staff — a firm that thinks beyond the end of each one of the partners’ careers. The partners should have a diverse knowledge base and age range,'' says Dumermuth.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work? A: Golfing, reading, walking, jogging, biking, and hiking. Spending time with my wife and seven-month-old son.
Q: Can you explain a little about your personal life outside of your company? A: I would describe it as pretty normal. After doing the things mentioned above and always “noodling†something related to work, I am normally exhausted and ready for bed.
Q: What CD is in your CD player right now? A: I've got one in the dash, and I think it's Rick Springfield's Greatest Hits. I've got a six-disc in the trunk [with CDs] that range from the Tony Rich Project to Live...with a little country in between.
Q: What is the last magazine you read? A: I think it was Cleveland Magazine, but I peruse a lot of them...mostly business-related.
Q: What is your favorite TV show? A: I don't regularly watch any show. I do enjoy watching professional golf, particularly the major championships.
Q: Who is your role model? A: It's my dad; how could it not be? He raised three boys and put them all through parochial grade school and high school. He put two through a private college. He did this on a very modest salary — actually, an hourly rate. He's worked for the same company for approximately 35 years. He really enjoys going to work. He coached all three of us in various sports. He's a one-woman man...he and my mother have been married for 40 years. He was the best man in my wedding.
Bryan , Saint Paul, MI
EmploymentCrossing always helped me stay updated with the jobs available in the
market. The daily news on the site was also very informative. I like to read the different archives and the life
style column on EmploymentCrossing.
Derek , Philadelphia, PA
I got a job, thanks to EmploymentCrossing. It is the best service in the world.
Andrew , Columbus, GA
The best part about EmploymentCrossing is the simplicity of the site. It is a very user friendly website.
Jamie , Pueblo West, CO
EmploymentCrossing is a very user friendly website and has a fantastic search engine. I always got quick responses to my search criteria.
Keith , Staten Island, NY
EmploymentCrossing's search engine is excellent. You can search jobs on the basis of specific locations and practice areas.
To compare AccountingCrossing with other job sites
Bring Order and Structure to Your Accounting Job Search
You have perseverance and can accomplish anything you put your mind to and finding the ideal accounting job is no exception. We have a tradition of helping our members accomplish anything they set their mind to. With complete information about every accounting job in the market at your fingertips you are going to go far.
You have very high standards for the sort of employer you are working for and also for yourself. You are not afraid to work hard to fulfill your duties because you value security and peaceful living. We give you the tools to pursue your dreams for you and your family.
Become part of a tradition of research excellence that has elevated the careers of countless accounting professionals just like you.
Complete the sign up process today and become part of our site today.
Tell us where to send your access instructions:
Total Jobs on AccountingCrossing
105,615
New Accounting Jobs This Week
30,287
Jobs on EmploymentCrossing Network Available to Our Members
Collections Representitive - Homewood United States-AL-Birmingham
RESPONSIBILITIES: Contact customers by phone in an effort to collect delinquent loans or payments and assist customer inquiries concerning the stat...
I liked the 'My hotlist' feature on AccountingCrossing. It was the best of the abundant of features on the site.
Gary , Boulder, CO
I joined as a member of EmploymentCrossing and was surprised at the number of jobs available in my area. I found this to be a great job search tool.
Andrew , Boston, MA
I had great success in my job search, using this website. I was in a great position with in one month of my initial search. I would like to thank the staff of EmploymentCrossing for making this all possible.
See Every Accounting Job We Can Find on the Internet!
Unlike other sites, AccountingCrossing works for you and does not charge employers to post jobs and actually goes out and researches jobs for you. The jobs you see are the jobs we find for you and not the ones employers are paying us to post.
To compare AccountingCrossing with other job sites
Bring Order and Structure to Your Accounting Job Search
Start doing things the way they should be done.
Make objective career decisions with unbiased research, facts and information about accounting jobs. Your perseverance, follow through and dependability will all pay off when you have access to:
Accounting jobs from every company employer career webpage we can find.
Accounting jobs from every accounting firm career page we can find.
Accounting jobs from every job board we can find.
Accounting jobs from every newspaper classified ad we can find.
Accounting jobs from every specialized accounting publication we can find.
Accounting jobs from every federal, state and local government career page we can find.
Accounting jobs from every public interest, nonprofit and other career page we can find.
Tell us where to send your access instructions:
Today at AccountingCrossing
7,082 - Jobs found in last 24 Hours30,287 - Jobs found in last 7 Days105,615 - Total Jobs Found
Your privacy is guaranteed. We will never give out, lease, or sell your personal information.
AccountingCrossing - #1 Job Aggregation and Private Job-Opening Research Service — The Most Quality Jobs Anywhere
AccountingCrossing is the first job consolidation service in the employment industry to seek to include every job that exists and not charge employers to post jobs on its site.
AccountingCrossing uses sophisticated technology and manual work to comb employer websites and other job boards for jobs and bring them all to its site.
