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From left: Daniel Dorsey, Ben Malone, Laura Tack, Kimberly Deyak,
Dan Wysocki, Jerry Fletcher, Sharon Myladoor, Mr. Melancon, Rebecca Braga, Shadi Fram, Malika Pettigrew, Talal Fram, Jeremy Bamford, Jasmine Mosley, Glen Doody and Nick Boni. |
It was especially meaningful when Barry Melancon, president and chief executive officer of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), shared advice and support with her and a few of her fellow Oakland University accounting students at a private breakfast with him.
In addition to that, the students were invited to hear Melancon speak at the Michigan Association of CPA’s (MACPA’s) Members Advisory Symposium at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield the same day.
“It’s just a wonderful experience,” says Braga, who attended the symposium for the third time. “He spent an hour talking to us. He gave us advice, important things to do during our career. He emphasized the importance of taking the CPA exam even though it is very difficult to pass.”
The critical importance of maintaining one’s integrity as an accountant is a common theme of Melancon’s, Braga says. “He said, it’s important to our profession and to ourselves. He also encouraged us to find areas in accounting we enjoy so we can build our careers.”
Braga sent Melancon a thank you note after the meeting and was further touched by the response she received from him. “He wished me luck on the CPA exam and asked me to let him know when I passed,” she says. “He really does care about people entering the profession.”
OU accounting students Daniel Dorsey, Ben Malone, Laura Tack, Kimberly Deyak, Dan Wysocki, Jerry Fletcher, Sharon Myladoor, Shadi Fram, Malika Pettigrew, Talal Fram, Jeremy Bamford, Jasmine Mosley, Glen Doody and Nick Boni also participated.
OU Professor of Accounting Gadis Dillon, a member of the MACPA President’s Advisory Council, arranged for the students’ invitation. “Attending provided the students with an opportunity to interact with professionals, network and learn about current professional issues,” Dillon says.
Special instructors of accounting Lori Dorko and Donna Free and Associate Professor of Accounting Sandra Pelfrey also attended the meetings.
On her journey to become a certified public accountant, Rebecca Braga, ACC ’13, MAcc ’14, has always appreciated the encouragement she’s received from professionals in her field.
It was especially meaningful when Barry Melancon, president and chief executive officer of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), shared advice and support with her and a few of her fellow Oakland University accounting students at a private breakfast with him.
In addition to that, the students were invited to hear Melancon speak at the Michigan Association of CPA’s (MACPA’s) Members Advisory Symposium at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield the same day.