While most may be hard pressed to find even a handful of math lovers in a sea of people, at Wendt, we don’t have to look far! Known for her impeccable accuracy and love of people, our controller Angela has been counting numbers (for FUN) for as long as she can remember. From the traffic lines on the road to the hundreds of client invoices that pass across her desk, Angela is both the brains and the literal financial glue that keeps us charging ahead – and on time. What all does it take to uphold the finances for an award-winning, nearly a century old business? We couldn’t tell you…but Angela sure can! Keep reading for her best tips on staying organized and the number one resource every financial controller should be turning to.
I am just a Montana girl who loves dogs, cats, crafts, baking, and numbers. I’ve been married to my husband Gene for 25 years; just celebrated on August 8th. He and I also started a small business here in Great Falls - Appliance Doctor - about a year and a half ago. I love that I get to work with him on that; he does the heavy work, I get to do the books. We also love to spend time together – whether that’s going for walks, driving to the mountains, boating, fishing, playing with our pups, going on vacation, or anything else we can turn to that will keep us best friends.
It may not be too glamorous (and I know there’s a stigma about accountants being major introverts), but accounting is definitely fun for me, and I am definitely not an introvert! It’s so much fun that I choose to do it at home for Appliance Doctor, too! From inputting invoices and billing clients to processing payroll and putting the financials together, it’s all something I enjoy doing. I can honestly say that I’m happy to get up in the morning and come to work, even on Mondays! Being the Controller can get a little stressful when numbers don’t come out right, but that’s also the fun of it. It’s like assembling a puzzle – you put the pieces (numbers) together to achieve the final picture (statements), so that you can in turn zoom out and see the “greater picture” of how each one of us at Wendt plays a part in making it all happen. Yes, every person at Wendt plays a role in what I do – they probably have just never thought about it!
I have! However, I didn’t realize just how much I did until way later in life. In addition to being able to play Solitaire and Sudoku for HOURS, I find that I’ve always counted things – from the stairs I’m walking up and down to the lines on the road in passing zones (I literally used to count them all as a child until my eyes hurt).
When I was younger, I also used to play teacher at home a lot, which was why in college I first majored in elementary education. I just always thought that was what I was supposed to do in my adult life! As an adult, though, I realized the only subject I would focus on when playing teacher was math – my love for the subject is what led me to changing my major to accounting after three years of college. I also have several favorite numbers (not just one like most): 3, 5, 7, 19, 33 and my favorite, 777. Why they’re all odd numbers, I have no idea?!
My co-workers definitely help keep me organized. Our Account Managers know their clients so well and what they need, and that helps me in so many ways. I know I can rely on any of the Wendt team to help me out when I need it. I also use the typical concept of keeping lists and using appropriate and efficient computer programs. My biggest thing, though, is making sure I have a checklist to keep my work organized and prioritized. I’m a visual person, so I need to see what I need to do – see what I’ve crossed off the list and see what I still have left.
I live by the simple rule of “pay your bills on time" and “don’t overspend.” But I do love to spend!! I also work by the GAAP rules – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Being a Controller requires not just honesty in everything you do, but discipline and so much accuracy. Following GAAP rules ensures that and more! To put it plainly: As a Controller, if you’re not following GAAP rules, you've got a lot to reassess.
Wendt’s culture is so simple and so amazing! Be you! Be kind! Help one another! Have fun! That’s exactly how I see the culture here and I couldn’t ask for more.
