What has been your most rewarding project so far?
In terms of personal satisfaction, it has been setting a tone of ethics within the organization, plus setting a tone of dignity in the office. Also, just dealing with the technical issues of accounting. I like working with new accounting standards, and figuring out how they will apply to the company.

What do you like best about your job?
Dealing with M&A issues. These are fun and intellectually challenging. They are also multi-disciplinary. You get to work with different teams in dealing with these deals.

Could you talk a bit about your role as a speaker on business ethics and integrity?
I worked for several companies (including Enron both before and after the bankruptcy) and saw early the need to set a tone at the top. I'm on an advisory board at the Department of Accounting of the May's School of Business at Texas A&M, and I have spoken on the importance of integrity in the workplace to hundreds of graduate students. I have also spoken at a number of accounting societies and organizations.

How did you get on the career fast track?
I had a good opportunity with the fellowship at the FASB. I wouldn't consider my career to be fast-tracked, but I have had opportunities. I've always been focused on trying to do a good job at the position I'm in. The next levels have kind of just happened. Certainly there's been an element of looking ahead, like asking people what I could do to move up, but I wasn't ever aggressive to the point where it would be annoying.

Did you have a mentor? If so, how important was that?
My boss at LyondellBasell Industries– Charles Hall was my mentor. He is one of the few people I know who is more passionate than me about accounting and ethics. When he moved over to become Sprint's controller, I followed him. When he retired, I became controller.

Accountants aren't usually viewed as thinking much about people. What I gained most from him was learning the importance of developing special people, and the importance of a sense of dignity in the workplace.

He continues to be a mentor to me, even in retirement.

What advice would you give newbies starting out in treasury and finance now?
Find something you enjoy doing. A passion really helps. Also, strike a balance between work and home.

What finance area now offers the most opportunity?
Accountancy is a strong path to future success. It offers the individual a chance to start their career off, and to appreciate the relationship between business operations and finance. It can also be a great springboard to other areas of finance.

What skills are the most sought after now?
After ethics and integrity, I would say communications skills, both written and oral, the ability to think through issues, and executive presence–people who are comfortable with who they are. As for math? I always carry a calculator.

Click here to see the entire 2010 40 Under 40 list.