Final Story Project

By: Leah Ferry

Final Story Project: My Accounting Journey

Accountant ac·count·ant - a person whose job is to keep, inspect, and analyse financial accounts.

I was invited by one of my former professors to share my experience and insights with the current accounting student. The professor thought my journey and success in the field would be incredibly inspiring and valuable for the students. The students have sent me a list of questions and I have created a presentation for them in a "Q&A" style.

Background:

The setting for this talk is in a UCF classroom. It will specifically be in my accounting professor’s classroom.

Setting:

My audience will consist of current accounting students at the University of Central Florida (the college which I graduated from). These students are eager to learn and are at the beginning of their journey in the field of accounting.

Audience:

Audience, setting, & background

i.e. educational pathway

"How did you start your journey as an accountant?"

Valencia College: Associate's Degree

I began my educational journey directly after graduating high school by applying to my local community college, Valencia College. I ultimately decided on a degree pathway in Business Administration, and then completed my degree in May of 2026.

UCF: Bachelor's Degree

After completing my associate's degree at Valencia College, I transferred to the University of Central Florida (UCF), where I pursued a bachelor's degree in accounting. Here is where I began to research careers in accounting and started to explore the right work environment for me.

Outside the Class: Internships

During my time at UCF, I was able to be exposed to many opportunistic internships. These internships provided hands-on experience and allowed me to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real-world scenarios.

Certifications: Becoming a CPA

I continued on to obtain my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. This involved taking the exam and meeting the required work experience criteria. A CPA license is required to practice as a Certified Public Accountant.

In total, the cost of my associates degree, bachelors degree, and CPA license was about $27,500.

Grand Total:

There are multiple different factors and requirements to become a CPA in different states. Some different fees include:- Application Fee: This can range anywhere from $50 to about $300 - Education Evalutation Fee: This fee can vary from $90 to $150 to verify academic credentials. - CPA Exam Fees: The CPA exam has 4 different parts, each part costing about $344.80, totaling up to $1,379.20. There is also a regristration fee of about $100 to $200 per section. - Retake Fees: If you need to retake a section of the exam, you should expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for re-application and registration. - Ethics Exam: While only required in some states, this can cost about $150 to $250. - State Licensing Fee: This can vary anywhere between $100 to $500, depending on your state. - Review Courses: These courses are not required at all, but may cost additonal fees if you decide to partake.Not all of these costs are required and can vary state to state, but the total cost to get my CPA license in Florida was a little short of $1,500.

Similar to my associates degree from valencia, the out-of-pocket cost for a bachelors degree from UCF can vary due to many factors. As a florida resident, the cost of my bachelors degree from UCF was about $20,000. This also includes all classes, books and supplies, additional fees, etc.

Bachelors Degree from UCF:

There are many factors that go into the pricing of my degree from valencia. Things such as being an in-state student vs. out-of-state, financial aid, required supplies, etc. As a florida resident, the total cost for my associates degree was about $6,000. This includes my classes, books and supplies, additional fees, etc.

"how much did it cost to become a cpa?"

i.e. cost of college

Associates Degree from Valencia:

CPA License

"How did you work up to your current position?"

i.e. career pathway

After graduation and obtaining my CPA certification, I started my career at a mid-sized accounting firm, where I worked as a junior accountant. This role gave me a solid foundation in various accounting practices and allowed me to work with a diverse range of clientele. After a few years, I moved on to a larger firm, where I took on more responsibilities and specialized in auditing. This experience helped me develop a deeper understanding of financial systems and compliance.

Eventually, I decided to transition into a corporate role and joined a major corporation as a senior accountant. Here, I focused on financial reporting and analysis, which further honed my skills. Over time, I was promoted to a managerial position, where I now lead a team of accountants and oversee significant financial projects.

i.e. purpose

"What made you decide to become an accountant?"

My purpose is to empower and inspire individuals through innovative thinking, collaboration, and effective communication to form a more empathetic world and to create positive change in our communities.

In my educational path, it drove me to seek out opportunities to learn and grow, not just for my own benefit but to be in a position where I could help others. During my internships, I always aimed to bring fresh perspectives and foster teamwork, which often lead to innovative solutions and stronger team dynamics.

In my career, my purpose has influenced my approach to leadership and mentorship. I strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where my team feels empowered to share ideas and collaborate effectively. By doing so, we not only achieve our professional goals, but also contribute to a more empathetic and positive workplace.

My values of structure, order, and clarity ensure that my work is organized, precise, and transparent. These values help me provide clear and accurate financial information, which is critical in my role as a senior accountant and leader. Together, these strengths and values guide my actions and decisions, enabling me to make a positive impact in my career and beyond.

How My Values Have Been Influential

i.e strengths and values

- Structure - Order - Clarity

My Top 3 Values:

"how has your personality helped you in a work setting?"

How My Themes Have Been Influential

Consistency has helped me maintain a high standard of work and reliability, which has been crucial in building trust with clients and colleagues. Harmony allows me to create a collaborative and peaceful work environment, ensuring that team dynamics are positive and productive. Focus has enabled me to stay dedicated to my goals and efficiently manage my tasks, which is essential in the demanding field of accounting. Empathy helps me understand and address the needs and concerns of others, fostering strong relationships and effective communication. Positivity, my emotional superpower, allows me to see the bright side of life and maintain a hopeful outlook, even in challenging situations. This has been invaluable in motivating myself and those around me.

My Top 5 Themes:

- Consistency - Harmony - Focus - Empathy -Positivity

"WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICS AND DETAILS OF BEING AN ACCOUNTANT?

i.e. details of profession

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Most accountants need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or additional certifications, such as a CPA license.

KEY SKILLS

Some key skills may include attention to detail, analytical skills, technical proficiency, mathematical skills, communication skills, ethics and integrity, problem-solving abilities, and time management skills.

TYPICAL DUTIES

A typical day may be filled with duties such as preparing and examining financial records, preparing tax returns, managing budgets and economic forecasts, conducting audits, and providing financial advice.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Accountants can work in various settings, including public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Some may also work as independent consultants.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT

With experience and additional certifications, accountants can advance to higher positions such as a senior accountant, accounting manager, controller, or CFO (Chief Financial Officer).

i.e. attire and props

"what do you wear and what supplies do you use at work?

For an accounting profession, the attire is typically business formal or business casual, depending on the workplace, so it is recommended that you show up to work looking presentable and well put-together. This means clothing along the lines of:- A suit (pantsuit or skirt suit), blouse, closed-toe dress shoes, and minimal jewelry.- Dress pants or skirts, blouses or sweaters, and flats or low heels. A cardigan or blazer can also be appropriate.While in this office setting, you may tend to use supplies and equipment such as:- A laptop or computer- Notepad and pen- Files/Folders/Filling cabinet- Scanners to digitalize paper documents- Calculators- Tax reference material

- Leah Ferry

Thank You Very Much

Thank you for putting your time, consideration, and attention into experiencing my slide show.