Meet Our Members Spotlight

"There are several opportunities for growth and the variety of work in public accounting is endless. Accounting is more than sitting at a desk and getting the work done — it involves continuously learning, developing a well-rounded skillset, networking with other professionals and giving back to our community."
— Chelsea Russell, CPA | Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

"Being an accountant has a profound impact on both established and emerging markets. It plays a pivotal role in minimizing risks, providing essential financial insights crucial for decision-making, fostering strategic development, facilitating ongoing improvements, ensuring business continuity and, notably, being the pioneering globally recognized profession responsible for establishing international norms and standards."
— Franklin Caraballo, CPA | Caraballo Accounting, Inc.

"Accounting lets me build relationships across diverse industries, while providing crucial financial insights. I thrive on collaborating with teams to gain valuable information on companies, helping owners understand their financial standing. The profession also aligns with my career aspirations while supporting my family."
— Vivi Guerra, MBA | LCW Certified Public Accountants

“Accounting has consistently piqued my interest because of its widespread relevance. As a language major, my passion lies in effective communication across various contexts, including the business world. Given that accounting is the language of business, I was able to combine my interests and find my place in the business world.”
— Luisa Linares, CPA Candidate | Graduate Student at UMass Amherst, Class of 2023

"I thought accounting was primarily focused on numbers. However, I soon discovered that accounting is fundamentally about connecting with people – meeting new faces, and countless more after that."
— Wirmery Paez  |  2023 Accounting Careers Exploratory (ACE) Graduate, Sophomore at Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School

"I view accounting as a means to empower individuals and foster financial stability. Envisioning my future as an accountant, I aspire to lead my own accounting firm, instilling confidence in clients through expert financial counsel that fuels their business success."
— Bertina Nguyen  |  MassCPAs Emerging Scholar Award Recipient

"I’m a detail-oriented person and I like to deal with numbers. I love accounting because it’s all about balance — we balance the financials, we balance the relationships with clients and team, and we balance professional judgment and accounting standards."
— Yu Fan, CPA, CISA  |  Deloitte LLP

"My passion for accounting stems from my love for critical thinking and problem-solving. In an ever-changing and intricate business landscape, I thrive on the challenge of anlyzing complex transactions."
— Jirapa Wongwanic  |  Deloitte LLP

“Accountants are not just the people working with numbers, we also advise on strategic business decisions. The profession's emphasis on building strong relationships and providing valuable guidance to clients who trust and rely on our expertise brings me immense satisfaction."
— Jamie Tong-Chow, CPA  |  tonneson + co

“I chose accounting because of my love for working with numbers and the influence of my grandmother who was an accountant. I look forward to obtaining the CPA licensure in the years to come!"
— Feng Xu  |  Accounting Major, UMass Amherst, Class of 2024

“There are often misconceptions about a career in accounting, and while it is about numbers, it’s about so much more. Numbers are just a fraction of the equation.”
— Norma Mendilian, CPA  |  Boston MedFlight

“Accounting is very collaborative and so much more than just a numbers business. Accountants use data to tell a story, and these stories allow our clients to make informed decisions about their business.”
— Kacie McManus, CPA  |  Charles River Associates

“Accounting and finance are needed in every business and every industry. There’s always something to learn and there are so many opportunities for finance professionals.”
— Anne Hamill, CPA  |  Roselli, Clark & Associates, CPAs

“I’ve always liked math, and accounting gave me a way to work with numbers that I found interesting. Thinking about careers, everyone needs accountants and there are a lot of different jobs and industries to work in.”
— Katherine Durant, CPA, CGMA, ERC  |  CVS Health

"My love of accounting and finance started in high school when I had an incredible teacher who explained the material in an engaging way."
— Ileaqua Adams  |  Corporate Finance and Accounting Major, Bentley University Class of 2023

"An accounting degree gives you endless opportunities, including the ability to grow and create your own path."
— Cutty Thomas, CPA/ABV, CGMA  |  Withum

"There are so many career paths for someone
with an accounting background and you don’t have to get stuck in one area for the rest of your career!"
— Caroline Waweru, MBA, MSA, CPA  |  CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)

"Think about how much you can gain from doing something you’ve never done. That mindset is key to a career where you’re confident enough in your competencies to take risks."
— Erik White, CPA, CFF, CFE  |  EY

“Becoming a CPA was a natural career progression once I began working for a CPA firm. I have taken the effort to maintain my license as it has assisted me in obtaining jobs that would not have been available to me otherwise. I have had more opportunities to advance my career with my CPA designation.” 
— Kit Curnow, CPA  |  Blue Q Corporation

“I knew the CPA certificate would open doors for me, no matter where I ultimately wanted to work. I was with a big CPA firm for 8 years, then a financial firm and, for the last 35 years, as a full-time practice CPA with my own firm. Couldn’t have done it without the CPA certificate!” 
— James Donovan, Jr., CPA  |  Apple & Albano, PC

“CPA is the highest professional designation in the accounting profession, a platinum standard. I wanted to achieve it. I got paid more at every job because I am a CPA. I got jobs I would not otherwise because I am a CPA. I got more respect from colleagues because I am a CPA. On a personal level, it is a source of pride, accomplishment, and inspiration on days of self-doubt.”
— Anna Howard, CPA, CMA  |  AICPA & CIMA

“I became a CPA because I wanted a career that used my skills and enjoyment of working with numbers. I remain a CPA because it is actually a "people business" as opposed to a numbers business. I love helping the small businesses and individuals we work with. Also, the variety in the work keeps it interesting. We work with so many different types of businesses and people that there is really no repetition and no routine to our job.”
— Maureen Kynoch, CPA  |  Yoshida & Sokolski PC

“In college, I learned that accounting wasn't just bookkeeping, taxes and financial statements. I discovered that there were so many other jobs and fields out there that I could apply my accounting knowledge and skills. I always felt like there was a prestige to becoming a CPA. And now that I am a CPA I have an expertise that I can use to develop and change my career to fit me.”
— Mindi Labella, CPA  |  Labella Solutions LLC

“I became a CPA because I saw it as my ticket to the highest level of management in the companies I worked for during college. I stayed in public accounting because I enjoyed the variety of work and helping management in many organizations achieve their goals.” 
— Tim MacLellan, CPA, CGMA, PFS  |  Morgan & Morgan, PC

“I became a CPA because I love problem-solving. I view the auditing and financial reporting functions as a series of puzzles to be solved. My experience as a CPA led me to many career opportunities that drew on the skill-set I developed in the profession, including a 15-year stint as a full-time clinical professor of accounting. I remain a CPA because I believe I have a lot to give back to the profession - as an educator helping to prepare the next generation of CPAs.”  
— MJ Potvin, CPA, CGMA  |  LGA, LLP

“I’m a CPA because I love the large variety of work! There’s always something to learn and I enjoy the challenge of working with lots of different clients and people.”
— Deb Rogers, CPA

“Obtaining my CPA was a culmination of all the hard work and determination I put into my career. I did not get it when I was just out of school because I needed to work to support myself. I was the first person in my family to attend college which was already a great feeling, but I knew I needed the professional designation. So, after 2 kids and my MST I passed all 4 parts on my first try. I keep my CPA because I am proud of my accomplishments and proud to be a part of a group of highly ethical, intelligent and supportive people. My “why” is for me and my family to see that goals are important and they can be accomplished with drive and determination.”
— Jessica Sawyer, CPA, MST  |  Citrin Cooperman

“When I became a CPA, I felt a tremendous amount of pride with having those three initials after my name. When I say I’m a CPA, there’s respect that comes with that because it gives credibility to the work I’m doing for my clients. Being a CPA opens the door to many opportunities to work in a variety of industries or roles in the profession. In my role at BDO, I’m committed to increasing diversity because representation matters. Diversity in thought is an important thing, and we need more CPAs from diverse backgrounds so we can better serve our clients. I am excited about the work we’re doing at BDO and having my CPA license is the foundation for my success.”
— Greg Turner, CPA, MBA  |  BDO USA, LLP

"CPAs are in the business of helping people, and it’s really a people science — you have to learn about your clients and find a way to relate to them. My practice is bilingual, which is important because for many of our clients, English isn’t their first language, so it’s important to connect in a way that’s comfortable for them. That in turn builds trust and is the foundation of our relationship. The CPA license gave me the skills I need to help my clients grow their businesses and reach new levels of success, and that motivates me every single day."
— Antonio Lopez, Jr., CPA, MST  |  LCW Certified Public Accountants