Q&A with Carolina Spera: Bridging Cultures Through Tax, Leadership, and Global Insight
Carolina Spera is a distinguished international tax and accounting leader, serving as Principal and Italian Practice Leader at Grassi. With nearly a decade of cross-border expertise, she specializes in guiding clients across the architecture, fashion, technology, and manufacturing sectors through the complexities of U.S. accounting and Italian tax law. In this Q&A, Carolina shares her valuable international perspective on business development and how she helps prepare future generations to enter the marketplace.
Q: Let’s begin with your professional journey from Italy to the United States. What led you to this marketplace?
A: My journey was driven by the desire to explore how my profession could develop in another country. I chose the United States because it’s a large country offering numerous professional and economic opportunities.
I wanted to create a future that matched my desires and expectations. I’m the third generation of CPAs in my family and the second generation of entrepreneurs. Although I didn’t lack opportunities, I was determined to create my own path.
In Italian culture, the United States holds special significance. It’s still viewed as the nation that liberated us during World War II and helped free us from Nazism and fascism. This strong cultural appreciation for America’s role in securing our freedom persists today.
Q: What key aspects of business development do you focus on when entering an international market?
A: Establishing a trusting relationship with the client and understanding their target is crucial to serving them effectively. The beauty of my position is that I have the privilege of working with diverse clients, each with unique needs and operating in different industries. That’s what I love most about my work.
Q: How do you stay ahead of industry trends and future-proof businesses as the landscape evolves?
A: I prioritize staying up-to-date on legal changes and trends, being aware of global developments, and understanding how to best serve clients within this context. We are living in an interesting time, and I’m eager to understand what the next five to ten years will look like from an international perspective. We are clearly experiencing a significant historical evolution, and I’m closely monitoring how that unfolds.
You must have a problem-solving mentality. This profession is about being both a consultant and an advisor. Looking at the whole picture is paramount.
Q: What is at the top of your mind in business right now?
A: Recently, a client thanked me for sharing information about beneficial ownership requirements. While this doesn’t directly impact us as CPAs since it needs to be handled by law firms, the client mentioned that no one had initiated the conversation or shared the information with him before. Given Grassi’s network, we can easily refer clients to trusted experts. This is especially important since many of the clients in my division live abroad and may not have local connections.
Q: Based on your experiences and the legacy you wish to leave, what advice would you give the next generation entering the market?
A: This profession is demanding and requires consistency and great attention to detail. I have the privilege to do what I love, and not everyone has the chance to do that. It’s essential to recognize that it encompasses multiple components. Soft skills are crucial, and it’s essential to be open to developing and improving them, as they play a significant role in our work, whether you realize it or not.
Q: Looking back, is there any advice that stuck with you or something you’d tell your younger self?
A: I would tell myself to embrace everything that comes my way and focus on building more confidence. I would encourage myself to be more attuned to my goals and desires without worrying about external expectations, societal rules, or traditions we are working to break.
Q: Can you share the significance of your involvement with the National Organization of Italian American Women and similar groups and what you hope to contribute to others?
A: The National Organization of Italian American Women organization is so important to me because it connects me to where I’m from and where I am now.
I wanted to be involved with the organization because I believe in connecting with people meaningfully. We can bring together women from various professions to interact outside the usual networking environment. This fosters stronger relationships, enabling people to connect on both a professional and personal level. Women are incredibly powerful; when we want something to happen, we make it happen.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave in the industry, and would you like to answer from a professional or personal perspective?
A: I want to build a team that demonstrates that you can make it happen regardless of who and where you are if you’re determined and committed to what you do. I aim to enhance my Italian practice and establish a reputation across the two countries as a professional who nurtures the next generation, helping them develop confidence in this field.
Q: Have you benefited from mentorship and mentoring others, particularly within the organization?
A: It depends on what you consider a mentor. I am curious and inspired by many people who are probably unaware. I make it a point to treasure every experience and conversation, holding onto the valuable lessons I’ve learned in my profession and personal life. I keep everything with me like an imaginary book to share with others because you never know who you can inspire. It’s about staying open and keeping your eyes and ears open. The beauty of life is a continuous learning process, no matter your age.