Tracy Kautzman knew in high school that a career in accounting was her track. “I am detail-oriented. The whole idea of debits and credits, everything having an equal offset, and all the basics that I learned in my first accounting class sang to me,” she says.
That decision eventually led to her role as director, federal tax, at ATI in Pittsburgh. But her higher education journey started at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). “I come from a working-class family, and I’m the first in my family to attend college,” she says. “I highlight that because I’m proud of it. A lot of people push their early community college education under the rug. CCAC provides an affordable, quality education. I had a professor who was running a Volunteer Income and Tax Assistance (VITA) program and urged students to participate hands-on. That was my first real experience working in tax. I understood how it worked and how I could help people who didn’t have the ability to prepare their own taxes.”
After earning her associate’s degree, Kautzman completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Robert Morris University. During that time, she interned with Arthur Andersen. However, in the wake of Andersen’s collapse, she stayed in public accounting working for EY and eventually moved to in-house tax at ATI. “I’m very blessed to say that I found my calling so early in life. Accounting was it, and, eventually, it rolled into tax,” she says.
Reflections on ATI Tenure
Kautzman began working for ATI twenty years ago. “From the start, it’s been all about the people,” she says. “After leaving EY, I had a number of interviews with other firms, but none of the offers seemed quite right. Then I interviewed at ATI. The people interviewing me were great. I felt welcomed. They answered the questions the way I wanted. The culture seemed like a really good fit.”
She is still impressed by the commitment and longevity of staff members, noting that two of the individuals who interviewed her are thirty-year company veterans.
As for the work, she says that she’s never been bored. “Something’s always changing,” she says. “If it’s not tax law, it’s the company or the product line. It’s the businesses, new entities, new structures. While I started out as a jack of all trades, I found my focus in the federal role, especially tax compliance and reporting. ATI afforded me the opportunity to hone my skills.”
The TEI Influence
In addition to her new role as Pittsburgh Chapter president, Kautzman has served on the board of directors and as first and second vice president, acting secretary, and in various chair roles—back-to-basics, federal, and a scholarship chair, a position she still holds. Yet, she acknowledges that her involvement with TEI has often tested the limits of her comfort zone.
“About five years into working in-house tax, my boss asked me to join,” she recalls. “Initially, I was a fly on the wall. I attended events, listened, and learned but was intimidated. These are the tax directors and officers in the community. I felt that I had nothing to offer that they don’t already know. But eventually somebody tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I would be willing to volunteer and coordinate an event. I agreed on the condition that I would not have to speak extensively.
“The day of the event, my co-chair stands up and says, ‘Here’s Tracy Kautzman, who will lead and moderate.’ I turned ten shades of red. I had to stand up in front of this group comprising the gods of the tax world! Yet, that kick in the pants was what I needed to address my fear of public speaking, build my network, enhance my professional career, and forge relationships with the outstanding Pittsburgh tax community.”
In June, she volunteered to be an event moderator at the Regions 4 and 5 joint conference. “I wanted to take this on,” she says. “I wanted to connect with other firms, because they endeavor to put together great events for us. Knowing that I could engage with smart people, as well as stand up in front of the crowd and speak, was very rewarding.”
Kautzman especially encourages younger tax professionals to get involved. “When I joined, TEI had a minimum five-year employment requirement, but now you don’t have to wait. You can join as soon as you work in-house. Sign up, come and meet us, and start to build your own relationships,” she says. “I think our chapter is reflective of TEI chapters everywhere, with lots of tax experts who are willing to share ideas and help in your professional growth. TEI membership is a unique experience you won’t get anywhere else.”
Life Beyond Work
Kautzman notes that she is an avid reader in her spare time. “My go-to genre is historical fiction, but again, my mantra is trying to push myself outside my comfort zone. So, I joined book clubs that have introduced me to the world of nonfiction, spy novels, romance, fantasy, and classics,” she says.
She adds that volunteering remains very much a part of her personal life. “I’ve rejoined the VITA program, spending half-days on Saturdays working with people from many walks of life, some with very interesting perspectives,” she says. “I also continue to support the United Way more broadly, volunteering for events throughout the Pittsburgh area. It’s all rewarding and keeps me busy in a very good way within my community.”
