I Am the VSCPA

Two minutes with Charlie Valadez, CPA

Charlie Valadez, CPA, CITP, CGMA, CISA, CIA, is the chief audit officer for TechnoServe Inc. in Washington, D.C. He chairs the VSCPA Auditing & Accounting Advisory Committee and is the academic accounting and finance chair for undergraduate business and MBA programs at a private university in Washington. He is also a recurring question writer for the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Exams for the American Institute of CPAs and Institute of Internal Auditors, respectively.

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT… Leading a life of continuous learning and improvement, both professionally and personally. This has prepared me for my mission to help others who are less fortunate in the poorest areas in the world through the implementation of sustainable development.

PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THIS, BUT… I played the lead in our high school musical, HMS Pinafore. IF I WEREN’T A CPA... I would be a political satire comedian, or a psychologist — to figure out why I want to be a comedian.

MY ADVICE TO FELLOW CPAs IS… To be resilient and adaptive. Don’t worry so much about mistakes or setbacks. Learn from them and soldier through to your next level. The best leaders are those who have developed a strong sense of humility and empathy by overcoming adversity.

I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… Forgetting something, especially my phone, wallet or keys. Oh, and now my reading glasses. I forgot about those!

I AM A CPA BECAUSE… Quite frankly, I have no idea. n