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'Finish what you can today, as there will be more to do tomorrow'

Q: Describe your company.

A: Full-service public accounting firm specializing in tax, audit/review and consulting services for privately owned businesses and its owners.

Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?

A: Yes. We hire new accounting graduate students annually. Hiring tax and audit specialists with experience. Firm offers seasonal tax season employment for interns and experienced tax preparers.

Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?

A: Navigating through what has become standard in our profession, last-minute legislative law changes that impact our industry and clients. The lead time to absorb and implement such changes has become almost eliminated as the requirement to interpret and respond to the fluid and constantly changing environment involves the skillset for one to adapt immediately. In the current environment professionals are required to keep pace with the latest overnight developments.

Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?

A: Recruiting and employee retention. There are not many industries that require a maximum commitment from their employees over a consecutive 15-week period. It is not uncommon for this industry to see professionals work at a pace that exceeds a 70-to-90-hour workweek and to continue at such pace for multiple weeks at a time.

Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie executive, what would it be?

A: Take the time to learn what matters most to your team and treat each person the way they want to be treated.

Q: Do you have a business mantra?

A: Finish what you can today, as there will be more to do tomorrow.

Q: From a business outlook, whom do you look up to?

A: My parents. They taught me, if you work hard, success will follow.

Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?

A: Our volume. People do not realize how many clients we service or the quantity of returns that we prepare. Over 10,000 various tax returns are prepared annually by the firm.

Q: Was there a moment in your career that didn't go as you had planned? What lesson did you learn from it?

A: Anytime you have to give a client bad news. Plan early and explain why.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Sports. Huge fan of Chicago sports. Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs and Sox. I watch them all.

Q: What book is on your nightstand?

A: My smartphone

Q: What keeps you up at night?

A: Thinking about my clients. Being as proactive as possible is important for the long-term success of our clients.

Q: If you were not doing this job, what do you think you would be doing?

A: Maybe a long-distance truck driver? I've always enjoyed driving and visiting new places.

Q: What was your first paying job?

A: Paper route. Taught me at an early age to start your day with work, provide great customer service and collect for services rendered.

Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?

A: Chicago Bears

Q: Two people to follow on Twitter and why. (besides your company)

A: I do not tweet; however I am an active podcast listener of various business-related channels.

Joseph Gleba

CEO/Managing Partner

Porte Brown LLC

845 Oakton Street, Elk Grove Village

(847) 956-1040

Website: www.portebrown.com

Industry: Certified Public Accounting Firm

Annual revenue: Above $30 million

Number of employees: 115

Age: 47

Family information: Married with 2 children (college students)

Hometown: Bartlett

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