Spotlight On: Amy Kistka, Managing Director – Jacksonville, Deloitte
August 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Amy Kistka, managing director of Deloitte Jacksonville, discussed the office’s significant growth, the impact of fintech developments, and the firm’s focus on leveraging technology and community engagement to navigate the evolving business environment.
Reflecting on the past year, what have been the most significant milestones and achievements for Deloitte in the Jacksonville practice?
Like all of Jacksonville, we’ve experienced incredible growth post-pandemic. Many industries and people have moved into Florida, particularly Jacksonville, which is increasingly recognized as a hidden gem in North Florida. Additionally, the city’s investments in downtown are beginning to pay off, attracting more businesses to the urban core.
How do you perceive the business environment in Jacksonville, and what are some of the unique challenges and opportunities it presents to your firm and clients?
Jacksonville, as a major port city, offers significant opportunities in transportation, which is a primary focus for me as an auditor. The issues with port backups elsewhere in the country have provided great exposure for the East Coast, allowing Jacksonville to capture more business. Additionally, challenges like the key bridge issues in Baltimore have increased port activity here, benefiting the city.
The fintech sector is booming, and the Brooklyn area has transformed from a quiet neighborhood into a bustling hub of business, residential spaces, and restaurants. This type of development continues to shape the city positively.
How has Deloitte adapted its strategies to navigate through the economic environment?
Being part of Deloitte, the largest professional services firm, we benefit from a broad range of services. A key focus for us is addressing the shortage of accounting students. We’re actively recruiting diverse candidates and promoting accounting as a promising career. I also work with the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) to attract more students to the profession, ensuring we have great candidates for public accounting.
What advice would you give to young adults considering a career in accounting?
Many people don’t fully understand what accounting is. I remember explaining it to kindergarteners by saying accountants ensure that what a company claims to have is actually there, like counting ten cars to confirm they’re all present. It’s important to communicate to high school and community college students that an accounting degree offers versatility in the business world. Even if you don’t stay in public accounting, the degree provides a solid foundation for various business careers. There’s much more to accounting than taxes, especially with data analytics and other emerging areas.
What is the impact of technology in the industry, and how is Deloitte leveraging it?
The transformation since I started at Deloitte in 1998 is remarkable. Back then, everything was manual with pencils and paper. Now, data analytics have revolutionized our approach, allowing us to audit smarter by focusing on areas of highest risk. This makes the work more stimulating for our staff, as they analyze data for unusual patterns rather than just ticking off invoices.
We can also provide valuable insights to our clients, such as identifying trends in their journal entries, which they may not have noticed before. Additionally, the new data analytics program at UNF, my alma mater, has been fantastic. Graduates bring incredible knowledge, making accounting more exciting and appealing, moving beyond traditional debits and credits.
Is there anything from a legislative or regulatory perspective that you’re keeping an eye on that might impact your business going forward?
In accounting, the debate about the 150-hour requirement for CPAs has been prominent. Through my work with the FICPA, we’re examining potential barriers that may deter students from entering the accounting field and exploring possible improvements.
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How do you foresee Deloitte’s role evolving in the next few years?
I see us continuing to expand our footprint in Jacksonville. I’m very proud of our contributions to the business community and the broader community. Recently, during our Impact Day, over 150 professionals volunteered with four local organizations, including the Humane Society, where I ended up adopting a kitten. I’m also proud of our work with City Year Jacksonville, celebrating 10 years of partnership, which has greatly impacted Duval County Public Schools. Being a product of this school system, giving back is important to me. At Deloitte, we value community impact and strive to partner with clients to make our city a better place to live.
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