By: Jordan Miller
June 19, 2013, marked the tenth annual CPA Inauguration and honored over 80 new North Carolina CPAs. This is the third time I have attended this event, all with different perspectives. In 2009, I attended as a student and a liaison to the Young CPA Cabinet. As a student, I was completely in awe of the amazing people surrounding me. That night, even as the least experienced individual in the room, I made relationships with accounting professionals that I am still in contact with today and expect to be for many years. Attending this event opened my eyes to the amazing support NCACPA and fellow CPAs can provide to students and aspiring licensees.
In 2012, I walked across that stage for myself. The event represented recognition for all the hard work it took to pass the CPA exam and obtain my license. It was fun to have a “graduation” for obtaining my CPA license; I had never been filled with such pride as reciting the Oath of a North Carolina CPA for the first time with my fellow honorees and license holders. This event was more important to me than my college graduation—as far fewer people obtain their license than graduate college. I felt (and still feel) like a member of an elite club. I have my picture with the NCACPA chair from that night prominently and proudly displayed on my desk at work.
I attended the inauguration this year with dual roles. I attended as a member of the NCACPA Member Connections Committee and as a representative of my firm, CliftonLarsonAllen, to encourage and support new CPAs. This year is the most fun I have had at an inauguration. I didn’t have to worry about not knowing anyone. I didn’t have to think about tripping on my way up to the stage. I cheered on my coworkers that went through the same agony of the CPA exam and were triumphant. The joy, excitement, and pride in the room on that Wednesday night was almost tangible. I hope that I can continue to be part of such a wonderful celebration. Congratulations to all the CPAs that were honored! I am excited to see where all of our paths in the accounting profession lead.
Jordan Miller is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and looks forward to attending a game during their first football season this fall. She works as a senior auditor at CliftonLarsonAllen located in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina and is proud to be co-chair of their Fun Committee. Her initial involvement with the NCACPA was as the first student liaison to the Young CPA Cabinet and currently serves on the Member Connections Committee.