Nicole R. Kint
36, Audit & Accounting Manager at Wall, Einhorn, & Chernitzer, P.C., Norfolk
Business community involvement:
Virginia Board of Accountancy Peer Review Oversight Committee Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Member, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) Member, Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (TCVSCPA) Member
Civic contributions:
Komen Central and Eastern Virginia Board Member, United Way of South Hampton Roads Women United Member
Something that makes you stand out in your industry?
Before I joined public accounting, I worked for a local real estate company for more than 10 years covering many positions, including in-house accounting. Now that I’m a CPA, I focus my practice on the real estate industry because I have unique insight into the struggles our clients face. Being able to genuinely empathize with my clients allows me to connect with them and serve them on a higher level than someone who has never been in their shoes.
Someone who keeps you motivated?
My daughter, Riley, has always been a huge motivator for me. She was 5 when I decided to go back to school for accounting, while still working full-time, so I could start a career in public accounting. The desire to give her a secure and bright future kept me going through the long days, and I’m grateful she was there to witness the hard work and not just the results. She’s 16 now, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for her.
What’s a challenge you’ve had to overcome to find success?
Going to school and working full-time while raising a daughter was definitely a challenge, but my family is very supportive, and their assistance has always been invaluable.
Most important aspect you look for in a workplace?
A willingness to innovate and change. I believe when a company focuses on continual improvement and new ideas are encouraged, each employee feels empowered to make a difference. That kind of culture is priceless.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current position?
I am a stickler for grammar, punctuation and spelling. Whenever I read anything, I find myself mentally correcting errors, so if I hadn’t gone into public accounting, I could definitely see myself as a copy editor or proofreader.
What new idea or development are you most excited about in Coastal Virginia right now?
I’m really excited about the community’s support of local entrepreneurship. Organizations like Startwheel, Hatch and 757 Angels are building a powerful entrepreneurial ecosystem here, assisting creative thinkers and problem solvers, positioning them to turn their ideas into successful businesses and making outside resources accessible for every step of the journey.
What do you think is Coastal Virginia’s biggest challenge?
Lack of regional cooperation and a strong public transportation system. Coastal Virginia has so much to offer, and I believe the area would be significantly stronger with effective partnerships and efficient commuting options between the cities.
Favorite place in Coastal Virginia to go on the weekends?
My own backyard—Ghent and Downtown Norfolk. I love the walkability of the area and the thriving community of locally owned shops and restaurants.
From her nomination:
“Having earned her promotions so rapidly, Nicole found herself in a management-level position, able to influence innovation within the firm, while the struggles of lower-level staff were still fresh in her mind. Acting on a passion for team development and recruiting, she began proposing and implementing a series of reforms in WEC’s hiring and team development processes. Nicole also serves as a mentor to several professionals within the firm through WEC’s formal mentoring program and is the most-requested mentor in the firm.”
—Katelyn Sharp, colleague
