During work breaks at Haskell’s office in The Philippines, the accounting team often breaks out in song. Coffee breaks, general work breaks and lunch breaks bring out group sings. The Backstreet Boys and Tagalog songs are favorites.
“All of the team members in accounting love to sing,” Armas said. “We have a karaoke machine in our room, and if we’re feeling stressed, we use that to put some fresh air in the room.”
This is only a slice of Armas's impact in two years in Haskell’s accounting department, first as an accountant and recently as the department’s manager. The responsibility has also allowed Armas’s personality to blossom.
Her effort resulted recently in being named the recipient of the Living Values Award, which recognizes team members who consistently display Haskell’s corporate values of Team, Excellence, Service and Trust with commitment and passion. It was announced during a regularly scheduled video conference call but with more participants than usual.
“I was shocked, to say the least,” Armas said.
“Anna leads by example through her kind and thoughtful nature while guiding our growing accounting team in the Ortigas, Philippines, office,” wrote Armas’s nominators, Molly Keifer, Director-Assistant Controller, and Chuck Smith, Tax Director. “Anna works countless hours to ensure we meet our deadlines, implement new training, and work with our local and U.S. operations and accounting teams on various matters. It’s been a joy to watch Anna grow from an introverted accountant into the servant leader she is.
“She puts her heart and soul into her work and team, and her guidance has produced a reliable and trusted accounting department. Anna strives for excellence in all of her internal and external communications, and she’s the ‘go-to.’ We are thankful she has accepted the challenging role that she has taken on with grace, positivity, and a smile.”
The Philippines office houses more than 50 local and international team members as they deliver services within the western Pacific Ocean country. Key clients include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (JCLDS) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
Armas has implemented a new accounting filing system that can react quickly to tax or audit requirements. With contact responsibilities all over the globe and a 12-hour time difference between Ortigas and Haskell’s Jacksonville, Florida, headquarters, she often communicates with other offices and sites early in the morning or late at night.
Armas has balanced this work with her personal life. She originally dreamt of being a teacher, fostering in children a love of math and an appreciation for how it could benefit their lives. She began working at Haskell in 2021 and soon went on maternity leave for the birth of her daughter. She returned to work in August 2021 and was promoted to her current role last fall.
“What matters to me is the work and the end result of my task,” Armas said. “Haskell has provided the values that have helped our team members. Having excellent service and trust can lead to making for a great work community.”
