RKL Alumni Connection checked in with Rebecca Hodson, former RKL tax supervisor, to find out what’s she’s been up to since leaving the firm and how RKL helped shape her future.
Q: What have you been up to?
“I am the Tax Director at The High Company LLC in Lancaster. In this role, I oversee tax affairs for High Industries Inc. and High Real Estate Group LLC and affiliate companies to ensure compliance with applicable tax laws. In addition, I coordinate, counsel and advise on tax matters; interface with various governmental tax officials and outside accounting and legal consultants; and support the director of the High Family Office. Outside of the office, I have a four-year-old son who keeps us quite busy! Our family travels quite a bit, whether it’s to the beach or Disney – we enjoy getting away and having a fun time.”
Q: What was your role at RKL and how did you help drive real results for clients?
“I started out as a senior tax accountant and moved up to a tax supervisor. I had a lot of opportunities for client interaction and came to realize that I had a knack for explaining things to clients in a way that they could understand – not everyone loves taxes (lucky for me!). I found that explaining things to clients in a simple yet accurate way allowed me to gain their trust and respect quickly which helped to solidify both existing and new client relationships. After I left, I came back to RKL for a couple of busy seasons. Because of that I am able to do my own 1040s and I currently have 20 or so clients that I do tax returns for during tax season. I like to call what I do simplified solutions for complicated matters.”
Q: How do you feel your experience at RKL helped shape your professional career?
“I was very fortunate to have really great mentors. They stuck with me and made sure that I grew in my career. Now I realize that my job isn’t only to manage people but to also help develop people and help them reach their career aspirations, like my mentors at RKL did for me. If it weren’t for working at the firm, I wouldn’t have wound up at High Company. RKL helped position my current role in a huge family owned business by making sure that I am thinking about the decisions being made and how they will impact partners and shareholders.”
A special thanks to Rebecca for taking the time to catch up with RKL Alumni Connection. Interested in sharing your RKL experience? Take our quick Alumni Survey.
