Each year, ALL CPAs is joined by a group of impressive interns for tax season. Learn more about the young professionals completing their tax internships with the firm in our ALL CPAs Intern Spotlights. In this spotlight, learn more about Amanda Ortiz of Lasell University, who played college basketball for Lasell, started her own charity, and would choose the ability to fly as her superpower.
1. Hi Amanda, can you tell us a little about yourself? Where did you grow up and attend school?
I transitioned a lot growing up. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up there until I was 6 years old. I then moved with my mother and sister to Harrisburg Pennsylvania for about 8 years, during those 8 years I would travel back to New York for weekends and holidays. At age 14, I moved to Newton, Ma and have been here since. I attended Newton North High School from my sophomore to senior year, where I played basketball and ran track and field. Fun fact: Joey (from the TV show Friends) went to my high school.
2. I see that you played guard for Lasell’s Women’s Basketball team (and averaged an impressive 20.2 points per game). What is your favorite basketball memory from either high school or college?
My favorite basketball memory from college was on my senior night of this year. My family was able to come from New York and Pennsylvania to watch me play in my last season as a college student-athlete. After we were able to celebrate and have dinner.
3. Did you have a favorite basketball player growing up? Did you mold any aspects of your game after them?
Yes, Allen Iverson was my favorite basketball player growing up. Yes, I was inspired by his craftiness to get by other players and was something I tried to implement in my game every day.
4. I also see that you created a charity “Hoops for Puerto Rico” to benefit Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. That’s awesome. Can you tell us a little about the charity?
So, I came up with this charity shortly after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017. I have several family members there and when this happened my mother and I felt very helpless. We couldn’t communicate with family members for about a week or more, and if we did it was only once a day because there was only service in one part of the island. After we got into communication my mother was sending packages every other week to family members and that’s when we came up with the idea on how we can raise money for the families who lost their houses (my grandparents being one of those families). I have worked basketball clinics, camps, etc. since I was 14 and the idea just came into my head why not have a daytime clinic and have all the proceeds made go to all the families that were affected by the Hurricane. It was a lot of work, but I was able to do it with the help of my friends and family, and we were able to run a basketball clinic for 5 hours for ages 6-14. We played basketball games and worked on fundamentals as well. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
5. If not accounting, what’s another career could you see yourself pursuing?
Being a cop or detective, one of my favorite television shows is Law and Order SVU.
6. Favorite book, movie or television show you would recommend?
Becoming Michelle Obama
7. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To fly, so I can go anywhere I want.
8. Any plans for the spring or summer?
Working and applying to grad school.
9. Favorite thing about being an ALL CPAs intern?
Being able to gain experience in the tax accounting field and seeing it firsthand the preparation process of filing tax returns.