MACPA Statement // Spring 2024

FUTURE LEADER: ROCKY ALIPING

This month, Statement launches a new feature called Future Leader. As the name suggests, we’ll use this space in each issue to highlight a future accounting and finance leader 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 study accounting?

Ultimately, my family inspired me to study accounting. In my large extended family, I have two aunts and two cousins who pursued accounting, whom I look up to. Unfortunately, it would have been more if it weren’t for the unjust barriers and personal situations that some have faced that were beyond their control. As a kid, I have always wanted to honor my loved ones’ struggles. So, I wanted to live in accordance with those who could not. Additionally, I took a few accounting classes in high school that sparked my interest in the field. I enjoyed the problem-solving aspect, in terms of varying situations, where there could be multiple solutions to a given problem.

During your education, what was your favorite accounting class and why?

My favorite accounting class was “Financial Accounting and Reporting,” which I initially took during the first semester of my freshman year in college. It was one of the two accounting classes I took for that semester, the other being “Conceptual Framework and Accounting Standards.” It stood out and influenced me the most because of the professor I had. Although I had failed the class on my first try, I gained so much more and it reassured my love for accounting.

Looking back, my professor creatively broke down key concepts so that we would be more likely to remember them. We completely finished the book by the end of that semester. She was actively practicing as a CPA while teaching at the same time. Her personalized style of teaching is what inspired most of that class to trudge on with accounting. To this day, the same peers I failed the class with have already graduated with their degrees in accounting, and some have even passed their respective licensures. Having her passed-down knowledge as my foundation luckily prepared me for the various educational challenges brought about by the recent global economic declines, which drastically affected the quality of education at that time. So I have her to thank for that.

Are there any mentors or resources that helped you along the way? Any teacher shoutouts?

My educational journey has not been the smoothest, although I’m blessed to have had countless people who helped me along the way, even through simple acts of kindness. I am thankful for all my professors -- especially Mrs. Bernadette Cope Mendoza from Saint Louis University and Dr. Satina Williams from Bowie State University -- for being such influential educators beyond what is expected. Additionally, prior to having the opportunities I have had today, it was NABA (the National Association of Black Accountants) and the MACPA that initially gave me insight into the accounting world I never even knew existed.

How do you see yourself contributing to the profession as you grow in your career?

As I grow in my career, I hope to pay forward the blessings I have received. I want to give not because I have much but because I know how it feels to have “nothing.” With the knowledge I accumulate in the future, I see myself helping in the field of education, but not necessarily as a professor.

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

In the last five years, I have learned that the most important thing for me is the value of sacrifice, which is needed in the long run. Short-term gratification isn’t necessarily bad, but constantly thinking of the bigger picture can create change for the better and beyond one’s own benefit. I firmly believe that I wouldn’t be here today as I am if it wasn’t for my family members who sacrificed throughout their lives having their loved ones in mind.

What has been the most challenging or impactful decision you’ve faced during your journey in accounting?

Through my limited time in accounting, the most impactful decision that I’ve made so far would be to stop making excuses and to start choosing to show up for myself. Doing my due diligence and not just making assumptions about certain things has helped me a lot.

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?

For my parents and many of my family members, the accounting and corporate settings were vastly unknown. However, the one piece of advice that has stuck with me came from my mom. She mentioned, “In everything you do, choose to follow good leaders who represent your values and what you stand for.”

Have an idea for a future Student Spotlight? Contact MACPA Director of Member Engagement Lauren McDonough at 443-632-2328 or lauren@macpa.org.