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Executive Profile , Heather H. Xitco

Anyone who thought accountants stayed up doing balance sheets on Friday nights for fun has not met Heather Xitco.

The director at LECG is a forensic accountant who analyzes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation.

“Sometimes it’s hard to explain what I do. Quite frankly, at cocktail parties I just say I’m an accountant,” said Xitco.

Having provided expert testimony in the area of forensic accounting during the San Diego trial of Cynthia Sommer, a wife accused of poisoning her Marine husband, Xitco provides extensive accounting analysis for businesses undergoing legal issues, particularly when a company’s time and financial expertise is limited.

When necessary, Xitco will testify in court, which demands both accuracy and confidence.

“At the end of each day, it’s my credibility and expertise as an accountant that is going on trial, so I have to be completely comfortable and get my facts straight,” Xitco said.

A mother of four, Xitco knows what it means to put “200 percent” into both her professional and family life.

“It’s a reality that I will be at the office at 5 or 6 o’clock many mornings so that I can provide my clients with the best service possible and still be home to help my kids with their homework by 5 (in the evening),” she said.


RESUME

Name: Heather H. Xitco.

Company: LECG.

Title: Director.

Education: B.A. in economics from University of Southern California, M.B.A. emphasis in finance and management from the University of San Diego.

Birthplace: San Diego.

Age: 37.

Current residence: Point Loma.

Family: Husband, Tom; children, Nick, 8, Mike, 7, Mary, 6, and Grace, 5.


BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential business philosophies: Work hard, always exceed expectations and trust your gut.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: Multitask, be organized and stay current.

Guiding principles: My instinct tempered with my conscious.

Yardsticks of success: Client satisfaction, happiness, respect and trust.

Goals yet to be achieved: Childrens’ baby albums.


JUDGMENT CALLS

Best business decision: To resist the obvious choice of staying in a large city, coming to San Diego to join Mack|Barclay under the tutelage of Cary Mack, et al.

Worst business decision: Some might say it was to be a woman with four children in such a driven field. While that is a challenge, I have discovered that the balance helps me be more efficient as I focus on the task at hand, whether at home or work.

Toughest business decision: Evaluating constantly my clients’ needs and optimizing their benefits , not performing work for the sake of it.

Biggest missed opportunity: None , Every “miss” has resulted in additional opportunities that may not have been available otherwise.

Mentors: Family , cultivating a work ethic and support of the community.

Word that describes you: Multifaceted.


TRUE CONFESSIONS

What you like best about your job: Evaluating, solving complex financial problems, getting to answers that elude others, and making sense out of reams of data, facts and statistics.

What you like least about your job: The misconception that I am taking a side; ignoring or discounting the objectivity and reliability of my work.

Pet peeves: Negativity, excuses, traffic and gum.

Most important lesson learned: The hardest and most important person to please is myself.

Person most interested in meeting: Sandra Day O’Connor.

Three greatest passions: Family, work and community.

First choice for a new career: Philanthropist.


PREDILECTIONS

Favorite quote: “The most effective way to do it is to do it.” , Toni Cade Bambara.

Most influential book: “The Little Engine That Could.”

Favorite status symbol: Time.

Favorite restaurant: The Venetian, Point Loma.

Favorite place for business meetings: My office.

Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere!

Favorite way to spend time: With family and friends.

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