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Now a partner at a major accounting firm, Jacqueline Oneto never intended to be an accountant when she attended college.

"I went into college [at the University of Maryland, College Park] with the intent of majoring in either business or psychology," said Oneto, 42, recently named a partner at Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman in Bethesda.

"I never even considered accounting," said Oneto, a certified public accountant. "My father was an accountant and I told myself I never wanted to be one. Then, I took an accounting class in college and I fell in love with it. I took a sudden interest in it and have been hooked ever since."

An accountant for 16 years, she joined Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman 12 years ago as a senior accountant and received subsequent promotions over the years.

"We couldn't be happier for Jackie," said company president and managing director David Graling in a statement. "She has been a vital part of our firm and we anticipate she will do great things for the Audit Department and the growth of the firm as a whole."

As a leader in the firm's audit department, Oneto directs the planning and budgeting of various types of audits, with an emphasis on employee benefit plans. She conducts most of her audits for nonprofits.

"I enjoy my job a lot because I get to work with companies and people who are helping our community through their humanitarian efforts," Oneto said. "I like the fact that I am helping them keep doing what they do. I love talking with many different people and learning new things every day."

Despite the recent recession, Oneto said the accounting business has been fairly steady.

"Taxes always need to be done," she said. "We were not really impacted by the recession. In fact, business has been doing quite well over the past few months. With the tax season right around the corner, audits are picking up, and I'll stay pretty busy through May."

New regulations that have made nonprofits' 403(b) employee savings plans more like 401(k) plans have kept her busy, too, she said.

"But I find it exciting and welcome" the changes, she said. "It's an exciting time in the accounting industry now.

Oneto said she is "having fun" and encourages others to pursue accounting.

Oneto lives in Laytonsville with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, skiing and doing Pilates and yoga.