Nicole Karchensky

Field Examination Manager, Dopkins ABL Consulting Services

Nicole Karchensky, CPA, is manager of field examinations for Dopkins ABL Consulting Services, where she is recognized for her leadership in coordinating and servicing client relationships to ensure the overall success of each engagement.  In addition, she is responsible for providing training, mentorship and coaching to the Firm’s team of field examination professionals.  Through her communication and proactive client service, her great work and dedication to her clients has resulted in stronger client relationships.  Nicole plays a critical role in the Firm’s development of internal field examination policies, procedures and best practices.  As a result, Nicole continues to be instrumental in the growth of Firm’s reputation as an industry leader of providing high-quality field examinations to the ABL industry.

Nicole began her career at Lakelet Advisory Group, where she focused on complex business valuations, business optimization, turnaround and restructuring engagements. Nicole received her Master of Science in forensic accounting, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany, and her Bachelor of Science, double-majored in accounting and finance, summa cum laude, State University of New York at Fredonia.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry? 

My first piece of advice for women in any industry is just to be yourself – do not change who you are to fit a “mold” that doesn’t exist. After that, my best piece of advice is just to keep asking questions and never stop trying to learn. You are going to be surrounded by years of knowledge and experience from your peers and colleagues; they are the best resources you could have. No one knows everything, and no one is expected to know everything! The knowledge you will gain from just talking to your colleagues and asking questions alone is the easiest way to grow.

What role has mentoring played in your career?

Mentoring has been absolutely crucial in my personal development – I guarantee I would not be where I am today without the support that I have received along the way. Every step of the way I have been surrounded by individuals who were invested in my success, challenged my abilities, and supported my growth. I strive every day to give that same kind of support to my team around me.

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career? 

I wish I had understood the value of making mistakes – it would have saved me a ton of energy and stress over the years! Looking back on my career, it was actually the times where I missed something that I learned the most, and they actually led to better and stronger relationships. 

What do you enjoy most about your role? Least?

Without a doubt my favorite part of my job is working with my team! I’m lucky to be surrounded by a talented group of professionals who are always improving themselves and surprising me. Least favorite would be the necessary paperwork and admin tasks. 

What effect, if any, has working remotely had on your career and/or your industry? What have been the challenges and how have you worked to overcome them?

This past year has been a real challenge, given the necessary changes needed to function during a global pandemic. From an industry standpoint, remote collateral field examinations have been difficult as companies themself adjust to the remote work. Collateral field examinations tend to take longer as information flow slowed down. Ultimately, this led to stronger relationships with our clients as we were inadvertently forced to talk to them more, and work through all of the bumps together.

From a personal level, the ability to work remotely has been incredibly beneficial for my career. My family had an unbelievable opportunity to spend the entirety of 2020 living in Japan. Being able to work remotely made it possible for me to continue with my career during that time. Working remotely abroad had its own challenges, primarily associated with the 14-hour time difference I had from my colleagues. But I work with an incredible team who was willing to work with me to have either early morning or “after hour” meetings at times which weren’t too obscure for either party to ensure that we were continuing to meet our clients’ needs.