Cristina Claussen, CPA

1. How long have you lived in the Bay Area? 

I came to the Bay Area 3 ½ years ago. I was born in  the Great South – Los Angeles County. Panorama City, to be exact.

2. What is your fondest childhood memory?

Every summer my family, aunts, uncles, counsins and grandparents would spend a week camping in Yosemite. We would sleep outdoors, eat smores, ride bikes all over the Valley, and cook dinners around the campfire. We would always go on hikes that we were told would be easy and they always ended up being much further. At night we would sing around the campfire, do talent shows and try to scare each other with bear stories.

3. What subject(s) did you study at College?

Mathematics and Spanish. Math is very important to my family. Every year my Grandpa would give the family a math puzzle to solve at Christmas and we were given a TI-85 when we “came of age” and a TI-89 if we went on to do math in college (you know, those old calculators that a certain generation used throughout college).

4. What was your first job?

I would help my Mom out in her classroom every year since I was little. My first real job was working a couple of summers at Ben and Jerry’s in college. The job perks included the triple carmel chunk and the rasberry sorbet.

5. Who has been the most influential person to you in your career?

My Dad, even though he warned me that auditors were ‘boring’.

6. How has your career created value in your life?

Everyday I get to spend time with funny, honest and caring individuals.

7. What do you consider to be the most significant world event that has occurred during your lifetime?

The Harry Potter Series.

8. What is your most memorable travel experience?

In college I spent a summer in Argentina to improve my Spanish. This trip included a freak hail storm, a freak snow storm, getting reprimanded by a taxi driver, and overall learning what is important in life. My most favorite memories of this trip were spending time around the dinner table in people’s homes, singing in tiny churches, and talking with the housekeeper about her life.

9. What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?

Forgetting to bring shoes to the Ronald Reagan Library in the pouring rain.

10. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Completing my CPA exam. I am weeks away from being a Certified Public Accountant.

11. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I read and spend time with my husband, family and friends. I have never thought of myself as being an artsy person, but Pinterest.com has inspired me to be more crafty. I have recently made curtains, a fall wreath, and I am currently working on Christmas stockings.

12. If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be?

Flying of course.