Note to Self

Note to Self is a column in which CPA professionals write notes to their college-student selves to give them a glimpse of their future. In this issue, Stacy Stinson, CPA, MBA, an assistant professor of accounting at Concordia University – Wisconsin, shares her path with us. She graduated from Rufus King High School, UW–Milwaukee with a BBA in accounting and UW–Madison with an MBA.

Ms. Stinson also is a member of the WICPA board of directors.

Hey Stacy,

Before I start, I will say you are awesome and will handle all the pressures that college offers. While you wanted to attend Wake Forest for that cool new gadget included with tuition called the laptop, UW–Milwaukee is perfect for you. And you will eventually have many, many laptops.

Now I will get on with it. But don’t worry — I will not give away any information that would completely change the future. (Yes, you still love science fiction movies.) Here are the Cliff Notes:

• First, to calm your fears, you will pass Intermediate Accounting on the first try. It will be the most challenging class you will take and prove to be the one you use the most in your career, so keep your textbook.

Note: You will still keep in contact with your “all-nighter” study group.

• You will get two exciting internships at Ernst & Young and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Note: Do not worry about taking a semester off. The experience will be well worth it, and you will meet people from these first jobs who will be mentors later on.

• You will get a great job in audit after college that pays well and allows you to travel across the United States. You will work with some of the best people you have ever known, and they will nurture you and your career growth. Note: Save 10% more money than you plan to, and do not buy that new car, as you will travel 80% of the time for about three years.

• You will pass the CPA exam. Those 19.5 hours do not go quickly. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be as difficult as you think. Note: Do not stay the weekends while on the Tampa, Florida, audit; go home and take your Becker class — this will make sense to you later.

• Finally, a goal always in the back of your mind will be fulfilled: You will graduate without any undergraduate student loans!! This will make the decision to return to school full time at UW–Madison for your MBA after a few years much more manageable.

Longer term, your career choice of accounting is perfect. It will lead you to various positions in audit, cost accounting, financial planning, consolidations and corporate accounting in industries such as consumer products and manufacturing with companies that produced or sold food, beer, computers, control/power systems and motorcycles. But again, the best part will be meeting some great people along the way.

However, you will ultimately leave corporate America to pursue your lifelong goal of teaching accounting at the college level. You will join Concordia University – Wisconsin, and it will be gratifying to teach accounting, mentor students and usher them into the accounting profession. Now, I will let you know that you will again be in school for your doctoral degree – then you’ll be done with school — I think!

Now for a bit of random advice:

• Take an international assignment. See the beauty of the world.

• Take up running. If you don’t, you will always wish you had.

• Pass on taking the Lotus 123 training class. You won’t need it. Take the public speaking training instead.

• Go on a real vacation annually.

• Assets = Liabilities + Stockholder’s Equity, but people are not so logical, so forgive faster than you think you should.

Finally, your most significant role will be serving as the mother of two beautiful daughters.

Oh, and I almost forgot — you will still be involved with the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the WICPA to ensure accounting is available and accessible to everyone. So keep on your path, and everything will work out just fine.

Stacy Stinson, CPA, MBA