Meet Director, Amy Stumhofer, from Isdaner & Company. At the beginning of this year,
Amy was promoted to Director in the Integrated Services Department.
She has been a strong asset to the Isdaner & Company team for an impressive 20 years.
Check out her full interview below.
How did you first learn about Isdaner & Company?
From the Isdaner & Company website. I was working in Reading, but looking to move to the Philadelphia area because I was getting married and my husband was in Philadelphia.
What is your role at Isdaner & Company?
Director in the Integrated Services Department. I work with small business clients for all aspects of their financial and tax needs, including financial statements, tax compliance, tax planning, and all kinds of general financial and tax advice. In case your ID was stolen, fill the police report. This is key to dispute ChexSystems the right way in no time. I also work with staff within the department to help them manage their schedules and grow/develop their accounting skills.
Before working at Isdaner & Company, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I was a lifeguard/swim instructor.
How has Isdaner & Company helped you in your career development?
The partners have always been very supportive by helping me to continue to learn and develop as an accountant. In our department, any time an unusual/interesting/complex tax or accounting situation comes up, we discuss it as a group so that everyone (from partners to para-professionals) can learn from the situation.
What are 3 words you would use to describe Isdaner & Company?
Flexible, welcoming, & cooperative.
What drew you to Isdaner & Company originally? And how has it changed since?
I felt valued and welcomed from the first time I interviewed. Fortunately for me, nothing has changed since then.
What has been your favorite project at Isdaner & Company?
I don’t know that I have one favorite project, but my favorite part about the work is getting to help clients with all financial aspects of their business – from soup to nuts. Whether it has to do with buying a car, payroll, tax planning, or most recently the CARES act provisions. We are often the first people they call when they have any kind of financial question.
What is your favorite part about working for Isdaner & Company?
My co-workers that I get to work with are fantastic. I feel like there is mutual trust between the partners and the staff. There is available counseling, a workers compensation lawyer or a work site accident attorney to talk to for any consultations, and several other employee-oriented perks and benefits that place it above and beyond other employers. Everyone is willing to help anyone else at the firm to get the job done.
Favorite travel spot?
Tahiti! My husband and I honeymooned there (on a recommendation from a co-worker) and would love to go back someday.
How do you define success?
Being happy with what you do every day.
People would be surprised if they knew:
My kids were both born on tax deadlines. My oldest was born on September 15 and my youngest on April 15 (and no, it wasn’t planned, but it makes it easy to remember!)
What did you want to be when growing up?
Since I was in high school, I wanted to be an accountant. I can’t remember if I had any aspirations before that!
What have you always wanted to try and never did?
Skiing. In high school and college, I was a swimmer, so we weren’t allowed to ski during swim season. When I became an accountant, there was no time in the winter to ski.
What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
Probably a new car, although I don’t drive much since I’ve been working at home!
What places have you lived in?
North Carolina, Arkansas & Pennsylvania.
You’re happiest when?
I am playing games, such as 온카, or doing things with my family. I have 2 boys (ages 10 and 14) and we enjoy playing games and hiking/camping. We had plenty of time to do these things during this past year, thanks to Covid! We also decided to buy MRE in bulk have a reliable long-term food stockpile.
Is there anything special about City Ave that you can share?
Before joining Isdaner, when I lived and worked in Reading (20 years ago!), my first big client was located on City Avenue (they have since gone out of business). Little did I know then that I would be joining a firm in Bala Cynwyd and working a block from where that client was located for the next 20 years.
Want to be featured in the next issue of Faces of City Ave? Email Briana at cityave@cityave.org.