Outstanding Students - 2019 Spring Spectrum Magazine

NABA NEXT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS: Clement Oliver, Malik Dedner, Brionna Bryant By Maya Francis Clement Oliver, Malik Dedner and Brionna Bryant (Left) Clement Oliver are just three of many NABA outstanding student (Top) Malik Dedner members. They each volunteered at the 2018 Central (Bottom) Brionna Bryant Region Student Conference and a cursory review of their resumes shows an impressive list of accomplishments When it comes to the CPA, they and leadership roles. all agree on the importance of the Oliver’s foray into accounting started with an intent to certification in their professional goals. become a surgeon. “I had participated in a high school medical program “I am actually sitting for the CPA right now, and it can be the summer before my senior year to shadow doctors perplexing at times, but enlightening when the pieces in multiple fields,” he says. “But when I got to college, I start to come together from previous classes,” says realized I did not want to be in school for that long.” His Dedner. “I plan on taking it far before I graduate with my experience as the finance manager for his school store, master’s in accounting, and ideally three parts before my coupled with some encouragement from mentors, told August 3 start date. I would be satisfied if I only had one him how accounting was the language of business, which more to take after my start date.” led him to his new career path. Dedner was similarly encouraged. “Honestly, I wanted my CPA to climb up the ladder of Bryant was bitten by the business bug a little earlier in success in public accounting, but it was something I told life. “As far back as I can remember, I remember having a myself I was going to get and I am trying to keep my cash register as a toy when I was a child. Since then I’ve word,” Dedner continues, stressing its importance to always liked money, which turned into my passion for him in relation to “what a lot of my ancestors sacrificed business, she says. Bryant went on to choose business for me to be able to get an education and have an as her major in college, following enrollment in business opportunity to obtain my CPA.” and accounting coursework as a high school student. Bryant, Dedner, and Oliver have held offices in their Oliver plans to take his exams post-graduation. “I NABA chapters at Eastern Michigan University, University was fortunate to receive a full-time offer to work in of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and University of Cincinnati, Risk Assurance at PricewaterhouseCoopers,” he says. respectively. Aside from their multiple scholarships, each “Because I will already have 150 credits when I graduate student also serves as a peer mentor, working to tutor this spring, I won’t be attending grad school. For me, I fellow students, including those who are on academic believe it is important to obtain my CPA license because probation. of where it will start me off in my career. I am not “Entering into college I knew that I wanted to join at least completely certain on where or how I want to end my two organizations,” Bryant says. “One to do with the career, so I believe having my CPA would give a large black community and another to do with my major. I was variety of options.” ecstatic to have found NABA and they welcomed me with opened arms.” 32 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

NABA NEXT “I plan to pursue my CPA concluding graduate “Look beyond the coursework,” Oliver adds. “The school,” Bryant says. “It is important not only because knowledge gained from understanding accounting is representation matters but because it is a prestigious priceless and the perseverance to get through the classes certification and will be a great tool to leverage my career (they can oftentimes be dry) will pay off.” and assist with job security.” Each student cites the importance of legacy and “My advice for students who would like to pursue a community in their discussion of long-term goals. For career in accounting is to stay the course. There will other students interested in careers in business and be challenges but it’s nothing that with a little grit and accounting, the three advise preparation, planning and grind that you can’t make it though. Also, find a strong persistence. team and support system, including professors, advisors, “Make sure you have a plan mapped out and not mentors, professionals and classmates. These will be the necessarily for your life or the next five years, but at people who will be there to coach you and to lift you as least for the next 30 days,” Dedner says. “That way you you climb through this journey.” ▲ have something to focus on. Don’t run from the hard accounting teachers, because they actually help give you a boost for the CPA when you start studying. NEW ONLINEIn today’s world, organizations must continually iDnnoiNLvvateEeAtroBAsgArioRtw/y.BINnnoLoIvIfaNEtito-nhGLreoequuairOergsn: hPintPg OPaRrtTneUrsNhiIpTIES and cultures Our commitment to diversity, innovation, and an CATEGORIES INCLUDE inTclhuesiBveuswinoerskseLnevairronninmgenIntsatirteujtuest(BsLoIm) ies ouf rthsetrategic learning partner, offering remaseomnbs ehrusmwaenbrceassotus,rcweeobrignanrsizantidonosna-dnedmand courses at a discounted price. • Auditing & Finance • Big Data/AI/Blockchain local and national media have named Crowe with • Communication onISnetsrotaitfteuthgteeic(bBleeLasI)rtnbpinrliagncgtesospfitroteymwooiuerrrks.lecharendinugle.aOndurCpPaErtcnoenrtsehnipt right the Business Learning • Business Strategy to your fingertips. • Ethics • Future-Ready Skills ToInstaadrdt iytoiounr rteowwaerdbicnagstcsa, rmeeerm, bers have access to the full liHberarsrcyheolfFBrieLrIson, • Harassment visoint -GdoeCmraonwde.pcroomgr.ams across a number of learning categorMieasn,amginagnyDifreroctmor BLI • Leadership Thought Leaders who are speaking at the 2018 Convention. Learn more and register at blionline.org/naba-learning Visit www.crowe.com/disclosure for more information about Crowe LLP, its subsidiaries, and Crowe Global. © 2019 Crowe LLP. GS-19007-012B SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 33