A Gratifying Experience

From the December 2009 Issue

There’s something about Texans. Whether it’s because of the state’s history, southwest lifestyle, multicultural heritage or its sheer size, many native Texans seem to share the traits of strong-willed independence and personal determination. And they respect the same characteristics in others, especially those with whom they do business.

For Donna Hugly, a CPA and resident of the Dallas area, these traits have led to a successful 31-year career in which she has worked with companies of all sizes throughout the state and across the country; even internationally. But like most professionals, of course, the founder and president of Hugly and Company, PC, in Addison, Texas (www.hugly.com), didn’t start at the top.

Her journey into the profession started in high school in the east Texas city of Tyler, where a former boyfriend’s father had an accounting practice. He would become a mentor during her early years, offering guidance and support.

“I always liked math and working with numbers, so it made sense to choose accounting as a major when I went to Texas A&M,” she said. After her college years, Donna earned her CPA credential in 1981 and moved to the Dallas area where she worked for a large local practice for more than 15 years. She formed Hugly and Company in 1998, and the firm has since grown to serve a client roster of more than 400 businesses and a similar number of individual taxpayers.

With a staff that includes her sister Cara, fellow CPAs Lisha Russo and Stephanie Golem, and Nikki Spitzer, the practice specializes in providing small to mid-sized companies and nonprofit groups with strategic consulting, tax planning, bookkeeping and payroll, as well as audit engagements, compilations and technology implementation. Over the years, Donna has also aided international clients with offices in the area with their U.S. and state compliance needs, including companies with headquarters in the U.K. and Israel.

Professional Snapshot Donna Hugly, CPA Principal Hugly & Company, PC www.Hugly.com Addison, TX Productivity Score: 359

The effective adoption of technology has been a key factor in the practice’s success and its ability to grow its client base and services. During her career, Donna has been witness to many of the most notable advancements in this area, from the first computerized tax returns, to web-based programs and remote client service capabilities that allow her to retain clients that may move … and even attract new business clients from other states.

The practice uses multi-screen monitors for all workstations and enjoys the occasional support of Donna’s “tech geek” husband, Stephen. Hugly and Company earned a score of 359 on The CPA Technology Advisor’s Productivity Survey, a free tool that helps professional tax and accounting firms assess their use of technology. The score is high for a practice of their size and is above the average for north Texas area. You can take the Productivity Survey and get your score at www.CPATechAdvisor.com/productivity.

Helping clients to better use technology has also become a part of the practice’s consulting services, especially with the current economy causing many small businesses to run leaner and more efficiently.

Adopting these technology tools and workflow processes has helped the firm maintain a fairly reasonable work/life balance, with the ability to catch up on some work when away from the office. During the busy season, the staff still occasionally works more than 60 hours per week, but they take a chance to relax during group lunches or an occasional happy hour. Other little perks help keep morale up, too.