Being at the top of my game starts every morning when I arrive at work.
The A.M. is my favorite and most productive part of the day. I arrange my workflows before I leave in the evening allowing me to jump right in as soon as I sit down in the morning. I feel this process helps limit my “put down, pick up” time lag. Also, I like to take a couple of minutes in between large workflows to empty one project out of my head before starting the next.

Everyone here is easy to work with.
Watkins Uiberall places a high value on a positive work environment and everyone is eager to help no matter how busy they are. I feel like this office is highly team-oriented and not because it is a job requirement, but because it’s just the type of personalities here. The members are genuinely interested in their staff and are very approachable. They all accept roles as mentors, believe in teaching and want to help the staff become the best they can be. There are nice perks around the office too. The kitchen is usually stocked with all kinds of snacks. I just got an email announcing there are fresh baked cookies and milk in the kitchen. WU HOO! (Get it? WU…). During tax season, a physical therapist comes in once a week for short tension massages.

You could say that I am addicted to knowledge and this firm is enabling.
I am passionate about being the best at what I do, whatever it is. Part of that is learning. I learn something new everyday. Sometimes there is just so much information it can be overwhelming, but in a good way. I have described it as trying to get a drink of water by walking through a sprinkler – you just take what you can get and turn around and walk back through and get a little more. My short-term goal is to get through an entire day without having to ask someone a question and still be accurate. My long-term goal is to be a partner in the firm someday!

Independence and trust in a job well-done are valued at Watkins Uiberall.
In this firm, micromanaging is not needed nor is there time for it. Of course, during training there are very specific teaching and monitoring procedures to ensure a good foundation. Managing controls are in the background to keep track of performance, but supervisors don’t hover over you. No one keeps track of how many times I get a cup of coffee and so forth. It all boils down to a conversation I had with a member where he said, “we are not really worried about it, you are a professional, we pay you like one, and therefore you act like one.” I think this is a great mentality and it works for me. I know what is expected of me and intend to exceed those expectations, so I don’t need someone sitting over me saying “you were gone a minute too long.” You won’t find that here.

There is so much I could add. I feel lucky to be here!

Eric Foreman joined Watkins Uiberall as an intern in January 2009. As of April 20, 2009, he has accepted a full-time position with the firm. Eric is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Accountancy.

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