According to Janelle Gabbianelli, her first job was the catalyst for her tax accounting career. “I worked at an ice cream shop, which seemed like the best job ever, because one of the benefits was free ice cream! But I actually became interested in tax after I had to file my first personal income tax return,” she recalls.
Initially, she visited a local tax preparation company. “I was shocked at the cost, so I went home, prepared the return on my own, and the rest is history.”
After that first exposure to tax, Gabbianelli took an accounting course in high school and went on to major in accounting and international business at Penn State University. Upon graduation, she started her career at Deloitte Tax in its Pittsburgh office. “At Deloitte, I worked with a great group of individuals on a wide variety of projects, including clients in the steel industry. Those projects served as the basis for my current role at US Steel,” she says.
The Move to US Steel
“I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to tax,” she says, “because US Steel has afforded me opportunities to work not only on tax accounting but also on federal, state, and international compliance, partnerships, process improvements, and transactional work, as well as federal and state audits.” Along the way, she obtained a master’s degree in taxation from Robert Morris University.
Eleven years into her career, Gabbianelli became an independent consultant working exclusively for US Steel. “My decision to work as a contractor made sense, providing the flexibility I needed to raise a family,” she explains. “I had a child who wasn’t thriving in a daycare setting and needed early intervention services for behavioral and speech therapy. By offering me the ability to work a part-time schedule, the corporation really supported our entire family. Now, both of my children are in elementary school and doing exceptionally well. As I transition back to full-time work, I’m most excited to continue working with an amazing and supportive group of people.”
Advice for Other Professionals
Gabbianelli, a member of TEI’s Pittsburgh Chapter, shares how her experience might help others who are just launching or expanding their careers. “Identify the areas within your company’s tax department that have the highest need and offer your assistance. In that way, you’ll learn a lot toward building a robust career while providing value to your company,” she advises.
She also encourages exploring and accessing the numerous resources available through TEI. “There are so many offerings, here in Pittsburgh and in chapters everywhere, for networking and learning. For someone starting out in their career, transitioning into a new role, or assuming new responsibilities, TEI provides really good base training and continuing support to help you feel confident and prepared, keeping you up-to-date on what’s new and happening in the tax world.”
Enjoying the Best of the Outdoors
Beyond work and a love of reading, Gabbianelli and her family also have a very active lifestyle. A lifelong resident of the Pittsburgh area, she admits there have been times when she wished to live in a warmer climate. “I’ve come to embrace the four seasons and other advantages the region offers. We’re close to friends and family, and we have access to so many lakes and other recreation.
“I’ve recently taken up skiing—with lots of heat gear, of course! That makes winter a bit more enjoyable. Our autumn and spring are packed with soccer and other activities with our children, who are now seven and eight years old,” she adds.
Gabbianelli says she still enjoys summers in Pennsylvania the most. “We spend a lot of time by the pool and recently purchased a movable pickleball net that we set up in the driveway. The whole family plays—even during our lunch breaks! This summer, we also went boating with friends and discovered just how relaxing it is. Our plan is to do this every year from now on,” she says.
