IN Play: Q&A With Kim Szalkus, CPA

Insights from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana's vice president of finance and administration.

In accounting and finance, our competitive paychecks might be perks, but the real rewards come when the work we do supports causes we care deeply about. For Illinois CPA Society member Kim Szalkus, CPA, her chance to serve a greater cause came by way of a close personal experience with Ronald McDonald House Charities — and maybe a touch of coincidence.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI)?

In 2007, my 10-year-old nephew, Max, was diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic brain disease and underwent a bone marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital. The life-saving procedure required Max and his parents, who lived in Hawaii at the time, to live in Minnesota for almost a year. RMHC - Upper Midwest housed and fed them during this difficult time. As my husband and I traveled back and forth between Chicago and Minneapolis in support of our family, we were amazed at the quality of the facility and the care and concern of the staff and Minneapolis community. We were so grateful that our family had this support that my husband and I started volunteering at RMHC near Loyola. When a VP of Finance and Administration role for RMHC-CNI was posted on LinkedIn, I had to apply. I started with RMHC-CNI in August 2017.

Q: How has RMHC impacted your career?

The mission of RMHC-CNI is to care for families of children with complex medical needs by providing comfort, compassion, and community — it keeps families together in a home away from home. I clearly have a firsthand personal connection to the mission and understand how important it is to support these children and their families during what is often a crisis; this drives every decision that I make as a finance person, and it is great to wake up every morning knowing that my work is making a difference in other people’s lives.

Q: How has the CPA credential helped you in this role?

It is impossible to execute our programs and services without the required funding. Unlike a for-profit organization where you are selling a product or service, our revenue stream comes from donors. Maximizing each dollar is what we strive for every day. It is my job to make sure that we have adequate cash flow, that our money is invested wisely, and that we are making prudent, mission-based spending decisions. The CPA credential opened the doors for me to gain the valuable experience I need to execute in this role.

Q: What advice do you have for others looking to use their careers to make a difference?

In my case, I had a special connection to this organization and applied purely for personal reasons. Obviously, taking a role at an organization that means something to you is one way to give back, but there are certainly other ways if that option isn’t available at the time: Volunteer for an organization during your personal time; participate in charitable events sponsored by your employer; organize a group and participate in the CPA Day of Service. Every volunteer opportunity provides a critical service. It is a great way to use your career to give back, and it is a fabulous way to extend your network and learn of new career opportunities related to the causes you care about.