Business: Bookkeeper for the Tulsa Stockyards
Location: Broken Arrow, Okla.
Background: “I took bookkeeping in high school and had numerous jobs. In those early years I had many jobs including being a dispatcher, but most involved my bookkeeping skills which grew as I gained more experience. In November 2000, I became the secretary and office manager for the Tulsa Stockyards. At the time I was a single mother and rented a trailer on the land from Joe Don Eaves while my house was being built in Broken Arrow, Okla. Now I live in Broken Arrow and am raising seven grandchildren with the help of my daughter and son after losing a daughter.”
Duties: This position is demanding with unusual hours. Sometimes the auctions held on Mondays last until 8 a.m., Tuesday morning.
“When we sell 4,500 to 5,000 animals. More commonly, however, the auction ends around midnight,” Edna said. “Unlike many stockyards, we sell lots up to 500 or 600 head. Regardless of the time the auction ends, I work until 9 p.m. on Monday night because I have to return at 9 a.m. the next morning. On Mondays, we have over 50 employees, including six office workers, the auctioneer, gate handlers and horse-backers. Some of my duties are paying facility bills, handling payroll including payroll taxes, keeping track of W-2s and 1099s, in addition to writing checks for the vendors.”
Philosophy: “My attitude at work is similar to my attitude at home. I set high standards for myself and expect others to have them as well. Both customers and family understand that they are part of the system and everyone must complete all tasks and responsibilities including monetary ones in order for the system to function effectively for everyone involved because everyone has bills, and so do we. Another important part of my philosophy is maintaining an excellent accounting system so that I can accommodate requests from customers such as the taxes they paid which I can mail or fax to them that day. All information is always at my fingertips and easily assessable for anyone who needs it. That kind of customer service brings people back. I sometimes feel like the hub of a wheel with spokes going in every direction.”
