MACPA Statement // Winter 2025

Future Leader

BRANDON ARNOLD

Finance & Accounting Major | President of Towson University Investment Group | CBE Student Ambassador | Business Owner

Future Leader highlights future accounting and finance leaders in Maryland as they share their inspirations, challenges, opportunities, and lessons they’ve learned about leadership and our profession along the way.

What inspired you to pursue a career in accounting?

I’ve always been drawn to the structure and precision accounting provides, and I’ve come to recognize its vital role in an organization’s success. One experience that truly solidified my interest was creating an equity research report for a company in the Towson University Investment Group. By diving into the financial statements, I gained a deeper understanding of how accounting reveals critical insights about a company. Analyzing this data and using it to make informed decisions was incredibly rewarding, and it further strengthened my appreciation for accounting’s ability to provide clarity and shape a company’s financial narrative.

Who has been your greatest mentor or inspiration in accounting, and why?

One of my greatest mentors in accounting has been Trevor Dauses at Deloitte. He has been incredibly generous with his time, meeting with me to share his experience in audit and offering valuable insights into the exciting and dynamic nature of his day-to-day work. Trevor’s guidance has helped me understand the broader opportunities within the field, and I’m deeply grateful for the time he invested in mentoring me. His talk at the MACPA Student Leadership Academy was particularly inspiring and reinforced my passion for accounting and the impact it can have in driving change within organizations.

What advice would you give to students considering a career in accounting??

For students considering a career in accounting, I would encourage them to embrace curiosity and commit to being a lifelong learner. Accounting is a constantly evolving field, and staying adaptable is key; whether it’s learning new technologies, staying up to date with accounting standards, or understanding emerging business trends. I’ve found that gaining practical experience, whether through internships or student organizations, has been invaluable in shaping my understanding of the field. For example, through my time with the Towson University Investment Group and my internships, I’ve learned firsthand how accounting principles are applied in the real world and how these experiences help build a strong professional network.

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