THE STORY: I am originally from eastern Montana. In my youth, I excelled at and was passionate about math, so I knew I wanted to work with numbers in my career. After receiving my undergraduate degree in accounting from Oregon State University, I went to work for Arthur Andersen, performing a variety of jobs in their tax department. After five years there, I transitioned into the dot-com industry where I facilitated the launch of several new software products. It was after a few successful projects that I decided to get my master’s in management information systems. I spent the next 15 years working with Wolters Kluwer developing business, individual, payroll, and state tax software for tax professionals. As my children started preparing for college, I felt the calling to make another leap in my career.
I really wanted to connect to my community in a meaningful way while showcasing my vast experience and skills. This led me to launch a Payroll Vault location here in Cobb County. Payroll Vault is a locally owned and operated, boutique-style full-service payroll company that relieves business owners of the time-intensive tasks associated with processing payroll. In doing so, they can focus on managing and growing their business. In addition to providing expertise in payroll services, we also support businesses with one-to-one personalized client service. This is our most pronounced differentiator among other payroll companies where you can become “a number.”
WHY I CHOSE TO LIVE IN COBB: In 2011, I had the fortunate opportunity to relocate to Cobb County. To-date, it was one of the best moves we have made. The community has welcomed us openly and pulses with a variety of school, church, and community involvement.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? The most rewarding part of my job is building relationships with my clients. By taking the time to understand their business, workforce, or system challenges and helping them deliver their payroll and supporting services effortlessly to their employees is fulfilling on a large scale.
LEISURE TIME: I like to volunteer at my daughter’s high school to support the theater program. There is always a need for set painting, costumes, props, ticket sales, and more. My husband and I love to travel and explore new places to eat.
BEST ADVICE: My advice is to shake up the status quo. In order to evolve, learn, and improve, we need to challenge the way we do things. Both personally and professionally, when we get too comfortable, it means we have stopped evolving and learning. Don’t just ask yourself what you risk if you make changes, ask what you risk if you don’t.
WHAT’S NEXT? Professionally, I will continue to expand my client base while increasing staff to proactively support the community by attending conferences and training sessions to keep up with the frequent changes in payroll taxes, labor laws, withholdings, and compliance requirements. Personally, I will continue enjoying every second with the people I love the most.
michelle.abel@payrollvault.com • 770-988-4656
55 Atlanta St. SE, Ste 398, Marietta, GA 30060
payrollvault.com/165
