Employee Spotlight: Clark Ackerman, Tablespoon's Staff Accountant

Meet Clark Ackerman! He's Tablespoon's Staff Accountant. September marks a year since joining the Tablespoon team! We are excited to celebrate this milestone with Clark and tell you more about him and why he loves working at Tablespoon.

Where are you from?

I was born in Panama and was adopted when I was three months old. My parents were in the military, so we moved around quite a bit. We lived in Panama for about three and a half years. After that we moved many different places. I have lived in Iowa, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and after my dad retired from the military we finally settled in Indiana, which I consider home. I went to college in Michigan, and I recently moved back to Michigan in March. Indiana is my primary home because I lived there the longest, with Michigan being my second home.

Tell me about your role.

I currently work as a Tablespoon Staff Accountant and manage four clients. My responsibilities include handling bank reconciliations, managing daily sales, AP, and expanding my knowledge of the accounting close process. While I handle a lot of the daily accounting work, I am also working on gaining more experience in the field.

What's your background, and why did you join Tablespoon last year?

I studied accounting in school and then worked in Bloomington, Indiana after graduating. During that time, I held various accounting roles. I worked at Solution Tree a Professional Development company and publisher of educational material for K-12 educators. I then transitioned to Bender Lumber, who are a local company that provides building materials and other DIY items. After that, I took on a hybrid role at Upland Brewing Company, a local brewery in Bloomington that also operates restaurants. This role introduced me to the restaurant industry, which I enjoyed. However, I wanted to travel more and explore different opportunities, so I started looking for remote work, and that's how I found Tablespoon. I love the restaurant industry, and I'm eager to continue working in this space.

How has your restaurant experience helped your work with Tablespoon?

Upland Brewery had restaurants, so it was beneficial prior to Tablespoon. I worked with different managers and employees at the restaurant. I had to improve my ability to explain accounting terms to everyone. This experience helped me understand what people are looking for because when I look at financials, it's not the same thing a manager might look at. Talking to various people at Upland Brewery helped me grow in that field and understand what they are trying to see, allowing me to explain things better.

What do you love most about your time at Tablespoon?

I enjoy the team environment at Tablespoon. It has been really nice, and I've experienced a lot of personal growth. I appreciate the pace of work - it's not too fast or too slow. I feel comfortable asking anyone for help, even if they're not on the client team. There's a lot of knowledge here, and it's nice to ask anyone without feeling self-conscious. I feel like everyone is supportive and wants each other to succeed.

What's your favorite restaurant?

I love Italian food, so I love going to the Olive Garden.