Dawdy Speaker Series: Great time to get a degree in accounting

A degree in accounting can lead to a wide range of career opportunities post-graduation.

Josephine D’Ippolito, an experienced accountant and chief operating officer at Gryphone Strategies, and Mandy Moody, Certified Fraud Examiner and Vice President of Communications at Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) told students from the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business that reaching career goals in the competitive world of accounting takes more than a diploma – it requires interpersonal skills that they will use for the rest of their professional careers. 

“We’re talking about those in-between traits that go beyond the grade point average,” Moody said. 

Moody, an experienced marketing executive, and D’lppolito, an experienced partner and COO, spoke with students April 19 as part of the School of Accountancy’s annual Dawdy Speaker Series. The speakers shared their career insights, professional advice and why now is great time to get a degree in accounting. 

Moody said it’s important to “build allyships” once in the workplace because the key to getting things done is collaboration. 

“You need to focus on those people who will build you up and support you and help move projects forward,” she said, adding that it’s also important to surround yourself with people who will check your behavior and be honest with you. 

Additionally, Moody recommended finding a trusted mentor in the workplace: “They can help you find a path to follow.”

Both speakers emphasized the importance of networking – inside and outside the workplace. 

“Eighty-five percent of jobs are filled because of networking through personal and professional connections,” said D’lppolito, who also encouraged the students to build strong communications skills and be generous with their coworkers. “Work well with others. It will make a difference.”

D’lppolito said now more than ever is a good time to seek a degree in accounting because there is a major shortage of accountants with 75% of public accountants likely to retire in the next 15 years. She said it’s also an exciting time because the next generation of CPAs will have the opportunity to take the profession to the next level, using AI and other technologies. Finally, she said a degree in accounting will provide ample job security, career diversity and career evolution. 

D’lppolito said there are a number of advantages to landing a first job out of college at one of the Big Four accounting firms, including the chance to train with other first-timers and find experienced mentors. However, only a small percentage of accountants become partners at these global accounting firms. Eventually, most accountants end up in private or corporate accounting, which can offer many opportunities for advancement.

“In the UK, one in four CEOs of the 100 largest companies are accountants,” D’lppolito said. “In the United States, one in nine CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are accountants. Because you start your career in accounting, does not mean you need to finish your career in accounting. Accounting is the language of business, and you will be at a great advantage as an accountant and have many opportunities to grow.”

The Dawdy Speaker Series is focused on the field of accounting, including fraud examination, forensic investigations, and regulation, and is supported by Jay Dawdy, BS Acc ’89, president and CEO of Gryphon Strategies in New York. The Trulaske College of Business regularly brings in business leaders to talk with students about industry trends as well as foundational principles and skills that are essential to organizational leadership.