b'Student Perspectiveorganization that has provided scholarship support for herwelcome the opportunity to begin her career working for one studies at Mizzou. Since then, she has been jotting her visionof the Big Four accounting firms and work either in the inside a notebook as she continues to edit and form the mate- public or private sector of the profession. She has accepted rial. In the spring of 2021, White took BA 2500: Intermediatean internship for the summer at the St. Louis office of Ernst Professional Development Principles, taught by instructor& Young. Since arriving in Columbia, White has found Tim Hill, M Ed 14. As part of the class requirement, Whitenumerous ways to get involved. As a freshman, she began to and her fellow students had to do a project in which theyserve as a peer notetaker for the MU Disability Center. White interviewed business professionals at nonprofit organizationsalso serves as a Summer Welcome advisor, a Trulaske student and for-profit companies. Through those interviews, I talkedambassador and a career specialist at the MU Career Center. to people who said, I hear what your dream is. Let me knowWhen she does have some downtime, and the weather is if you need any help. I would love to mentor you. I made sopleasant, there is a good chance one can find her hanging out many different contacts from this assignment, White said.by The Columns with classmates. When theres nice weather, As part of that assignment, White recalled hearing advicetheres a different energy on campus, White said. And the Since middle school, Autumn White knew she wanted to befrom an administrator at a YMCA in the St. Louis area whoplace to be is by The Columns. Its just so upbeat. a businesswoman in some form or fashion. How she wouldsaid: Its not about who you know, but who knows you. get to that career was another conversation, when growingAnd I think thats always stuck with me, she said, because up in University City in St. Louis. White associated a businesscollege is about networking, but who brings up your name career with achieving personal wealth. She dreamed of onewhen youre not around? day being a millionaire. She began saving money and showedAutumn White has five brothers and a sister. In this photo fiscal responsibility that belied her age. That dream changed,from 2005, taken on her fourth birthday, Autumn is being she said. Now a junior at the Trulaske College of Business,held by her oldest brother, Will. Autumns brother Josh White has gained greater clarity on what she wants to do asRichter BA 19 (in the she pursues her master of accountancy (MAcc) degree throughyellow shirt), gradu-the colleges five-year, 150-hour accounting programinated with a commu-the hopes of graduating in May of 2024.nicationsdegree Autumn White with her mother, Darcina, in a photo takenfromMizzou.For when she was around seven years old (circa 2008) at a Ring- White, one of those ling Brothers Circus in St. Louis. Instead of focusing on herto community centers in the neighborhoods that they serve.people would be Hill, personal financial gains, White has turned her attention toShe said her hometown of St. Louis would be a great placewho first taught her helping improve theto start such a grassroots effort. Given that she is in college,as a freshman in the financial literacy ofthough, the content is currently catered toward her fellowBA 1500 class in the those around her byfall of 2019. The class creating a programstudents, who also serve as the beta testers of the program.provided an overviewAccountancy student selected When she arrived at Mizzou in the fall of 2019, she was composed of easilystunned at how many students were lacking in basic financialof the staples of theby MOCPA to present in Womens digestiblemoneybusiness world, such management infor- literacy. It was shocking to me to see that students didntas the composition ofProfessional Development Seriesmation.Theeven know their credit scores, White said. For me person- rsums and cover letters. His class got me excited for the program is designedally, my only support for college are the scholarships I have.business school, White said. Even though at that point, IAccountancy student Linsey Nicholas (scheduled to grad-to help marginalizedFinancial literacy and money mentality have been big fordidnt know what emphasis I was looking at, I knew I was inuate in May 2024) had the honor of being selected by groups better under- me. So, I wanted to find a way to shift the idea of finances forthe right school. Hill, who has been teaching BA 1500 andMissouri Society of CPAs (MOCPA) to present on the stand basic moneypeople who look like me and are underrepresented. WhiteBA 2500 at Trulaske since the fall of 2017, said that Whitebook How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You management princi- said it is a misnomer that money management practices arehas a natural ability to internalize what she learns in class onBack by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith at the ples.Ultimately,generally associated with those in high-income tax brackets.a consistent basis to allow her to find ways to benefit thoseMOCPA Womens Professional Development for Busy WhitewouldlikeYou dont think of poor people managing their money, shearound her with that knowledge. Her others-first mentalityWomen. While working at Armanino, she was the first her financial literacysaid, but actually, those are the people who really need tois refreshing and unique, Hill said. As students and profes- intern to present in the history of the series, which is on education programmanage money to afford to get food on the table and deter- sionals, most of us approach our education and professionalits 11th installment, to several in-person attendees and to serve overlooked, urban neighborhoods. Although themine which bills they are going to pay that month.development in terms of how it will propel us individually.also a virtual audience.Congratulations, Linsey!content about financial literacy is the most paramount compo- I hear what your dream isTo see someone so naturally inclined towards serving theMore details are available atnent of her program, Whites grand vision for her enterpriseLast summer, White gave a presentation on her financialpeople around her is exceptional. Before she fully embarksProfessional Development for Busy Women: The CliffsNotes! includes having a physical, brick-and-mortar presence akinliteracy program to her Hillman Scholars group, a St. Louison her financial literacy community mission, White would- Missouri Society of CPAs (mocpa.org)48 School of Accountancy2023 Newsmagazine 49'