By Mary Beth Roach
Regina Bass, first vice president, corporate controller Pathfinder, came to the bank in January of 2022, bringing substantial financial experience from a career in public accounting and it’s that experience that she feels brings an added value to her role with the bank.
She started at Pathfinder as vice president, financial analysis manager. A year later, she became corporate controller and earlier this year, she was named to her current position.
She oversees the accounting team of six people, is in charge of the accounting general ledger and reports to the CFO. She is also responsible for SEC reports, compliance and regulatory filings and the bank’s 401K and Employee Stock Ownership Plan reporting.
While working in public accounting, Bass was a tax professional and developed a niche with financial institutions and the banking industry. She handled tax returns, tax planning and tax consulting and at the last accounting firm she worked at, Pathfinder Bank was one of her clients.
One of the biggest factors in banking today is the impact of technology.
“Technology has truly transformed the banking sector,” she said. “Since I first entered the field, there’s been a huge shift in how we operate and serve our customers. Alongside technological advancements, the influx of mergers and acquisitions has its share of challenges. Banking requires agility in decision-making and a strategy that looks at these challenges from all angles.”
In discussing women in the business, Bass told about an article she had read about women in the workplace that suggested that women lead with empathy, enhancing their teams to grow and become successful.
For Bass, that success is shared among all levels of staffing.
“It’s not just about personal success; it’s about the success of those around us. We want to contribute to that collective achievement,” she said.
