NABA

Introduction

  • Speaker: Partner at her own accounting firm, CPA, and CFE.

  • Background: Graduate from the University of Louisville (UofL) with an accounting degree.

  • Experience: Worked in public accounting, insurance, and small local accounting firms.

  • Teaching: Part-time instructor for a tax class at UofL.

Career Journey

  • Initial Interest: Developed interest in accounting during high school; enjoyed the balance aspect of it.

  • Career Path:

    • Public accounting

    • Insurance industry

    • Own accounting firm on Fourth Street, offering a variety of tax services, bookkeeping, and audits.

  • Teaching Experience: Third semester teaching a tax class, eager to share knowledge.

Student Perspective

  • Transition from Student to Professional:

    • Experienced self-doubt during studies, faced discouragement from counsel about pursuing accounting.

    • Found passion in accounting despite challenges, persisted through tough subjects.

  • Advice for Current Students:

    • Believe in your goals and pursue them despite discouragement.

    • Seek help and resources when facing academic challenges.

Major Experiences and Responsibilities

  • Public vs. Private Accounting:

    • Experience in both but prefers public accounting due to the diversity of work.

    • Duties included payroll processing, maintaining accuracy of financial data, and compliance auditing.

CPA and CFE Designation Insights

  • Decision to Pursue CPA:

    • Recognized the importance of CPA for career advancement and credibility.

    • Underwent a rigorous review process to prepare for the CPA exam, eventually passing it.

  • CFE Experience:

    • Pursued the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation due to interest in forensic accounting and fraud investigations.

    • Emphasized the difficulty of the exam but noted the importance of perseverance.

Daily Operations at the Firm

  • Challenges Faced:

    • Managing time effectively, especially during tax season while teaching.

    • Payroll processing is time-consuming and often prone to errors—emphasizes the need for internal controls.

  • Favorite Aspects of Work:

    • Enjoys the detail-oriented nature of auditing and helping clients achieve financial goals through tax returns.

    • Finds fulfillment in guiding young clients through important milestones (e.g., buying homes, securing loans).

Recommendations for Students

  • Internships: Wish had pursued internship opportunities earlier in her career for hands-on experience.

  • Skill Development:

    • Emphasize time management and effective study habits to prepare for exams like the CPA.

    • Encourage developing self-confidence through academic journey.

Closing Thoughts

  • Final Advice:

    • Stick to your goals and aspirations, even in the face of societal or peer pressure.

    • Maintain academic balance with a focus on long-term objectives.