By Sharon Hua, 

On January 23rd and 27th, Fourteen Friends of Froshman—graduates of CSUMB’s Accounting program and employers of CSUMB Accounting students—returned to campus to share their insights on achieving success in academics and careers.

More than 60 eager students, parents, and high school teachers filled the classroom, curious to learn about the opportunities that accounting and finance degrees can offer.

“Talk to your professors; they connect you to jobs!” exclaimed Nicole Velichko, Senior Tax Manager at Joby Aviation, and Cristina Bonilla, Senior Auditor at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA).

“And be friends with your classmates! That’s how I got my clients and my current position,” added Garret Sutherland, Partner at Van Ruler & Company, alongside Larissa Lea, a Financial Advisor at Pence Financial.

The importance of discipline in preparing for the CPA exam was a key theme of the event. "Treat it like a job and dedicate at least an hour every day to studying," advised Carmine Lepiani, Partner at Vanderbilt CPAs, Manny Hernandez, Tax Senior at Moss Adams, and Alex Baron, Supervising Senior at BryMar CPAs.

Jennifer Randazzo, Partner at JR Accountancy, shared her journey of founding her own firm, emphasizing the need for self-advocacy in the finance industry: “In a male-dominated field, women must advocate for ourselves.”

When it comes to career success, Cate Miller, a member of CSUMB Accounting’s first graduating class and Partner at Chiorini, Platt & Jacobs CPAs, encouraged students: “Go above and beyond—own your job, don’t let your job own you.”

In the financial planning session, Miles Amodeo, a Wealth Advisor Associate at Bordeaux Wealth Advisors, highlighted the responsibility accountants hold: "Your financial knowledge makes people entrust billions of dollars in your hands."

Kevin Mahoney, Partner at Integris Wealth Management, reassured students that human relationships remain irreplaceable by AI, a sentiment echoed by Cynthia Guerrero, Paraplanner at Integris: “Our office always has a box of tissues for clients.”

Alex Duddy from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and David Freil from CLA reminded students that education never ends in accounting and finance: "The amount of reading and learning at work far exceeds that in school."

Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“I was so inspired to hear that they were once like me—struggling to balance work, family, and school,” said Dhruv Patel, a senior accounting student.

“I feel encouraged that the CPA exam is achievable as long as I do not give up,” added Veronica Infante, a newly transferred student.

Since 1994, Professor Jeff Froshman has led CSUMB’s business faculty in delivering cutting-edge financial knowledge and developing responsible business professionals. The Friends of Froshman are the fruits of his 30-year commitment, and they continue his legacy by mentoring new CSUMB graduates and promoting accounting careers in community colleges and high schools. Their efforts have helped double CSUMB's Accounting program enrollment in Fall 2024.

Thank you, Professor Froshman, for your dedication to accounting education.
And thank you, Friends of Froshman, for your service to underserved students in our community.