With a passion for accounting and a strong background in state and local tax, Jepharya Badie has used her personal experience as a foundation to promote diversity in the profession. Since joining PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2002, Jepharya began working in state and local tax and has always been involved in recruiting. She transitioned fully to campus recruiting in the late spring of 2005, and just recently took on a leadership position for the firm’s Greater Michigan practice in the areas of minority retention and advancement, communication and education, external relations, and other work/life and inclusion efforts. Jepharya became a CPA Ambassador this year, and has served as a speaker at MACPA’s High School Leaders Conferences.

1. What made you decide to go into
the accounting profession?
In high school, I was in a business-focused program called the “Center for International Studies and Commerce (CISC).” Although I had always believed I wanted to pursue a law degree, I was exposed to accounting for the first time while in the CISC program. As a result, I shifted my goals to tax law. I started college as a Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy major because of my desire to become a tax attorney, but I continued to take accounting classes as electives. By the end of my sophomore year, I was so "in love" with accounting that I officially changed my major and set my sights on becoming a CPA.

2. What makes your job great?
I have the opportunity to help others enjoy the same positive experiences I have had in my accounting career. I'm able to focus on the "people" side of public accounting and I try to make an impact on the career development of individuals pursuing their passion. More specifically, I am able to focus on diversity. As an African American woman in public accounting, I truly appreciate the need for an increased focus on diversity, as well as a need to continue to expose other minorities to all the wonderful possibilities a career in accounting has to offer.

3. What advice would you have for those considering entering the CPA profession?
For those considering becoming a CPA, I would tell them that at times you may face big challenges and the CPA exam may seem to be a very daunting, intimidating task, but through hard work and discipline, earning your certification can be one of the most rewarding accomplishments in your professional career. A CPA certificate is an awesome steppingstone to so many career opportunities, no matter what industry or field you seek to make your mark in. Also, becoming a CPA is a badge of honor and distinction. It is a testament of your hard work to become a part of a well-respected profession vital to the business world.

4. Describe how you have made a difference
by being a CPA.
I believe I have made a difference by inspiring other minorities in their quest to become CPAs. When high school and college students tell me I have helped them understand what they want to do with their lives or that by seeing someone who looks like them become a CPA I’ve helped to motivate them, it reaffirms for me that I have done something meaningful. Encouraging a student or a professional to strive to reach their dreams is truly a priceless reward. It's said that you should always leave anything you are a part of in a better state than it was before you "touched" it. By becoming a CPA and sharing my experience with others, I truly feel that I'm trying to do that for the profession.

5. Explain any obstacles you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are today.
I’ve really had to stretch beyond my comfort zone. Throughout school, academics came very easy to me. I didn't necessarily have to put in a great deal of effort to get A’s and pass exams. In my pursuit to become a CPA, I had to be more disciplined in my study habits and essentially work hard for something I really wanted to achieve. It required me to stretch and grow as a person, which also raised my level of respect for the profession.

Another obstacle I had to overcome was to not be discouraged by the relatively small number of minorities in the profession, specifically in the area of tax, which has been my area of specialization. Fortunately, I was able to get outside of my comfort zone to take advantage of opportunities to make connections with those I looked up to no matter what they looked like. I was willing to expand my world and build professional relationships that I value and respect. That experience is what allows me to have an even deeper appreciation of diversity and what everyone has to bring to the table, especially the differences. Diversity is not about making different people the same, but about appreciating all the differences we have to share with one another.

6. What are your major professional accomplishments?
My major professional accomplishment is definitely obtaining my CPA certification. My next biggest accomplishment would have to be being trusted and respected enough by my colleagues and leadership to have such a role as this one. I've been entrusted with the great responsibility, as the area of diversity is an uncomfortable one for many, but hopefully helps them to stretch and grow not only as professionals, but as people.

7. What interests or activities are you involved
in outside of work?
Outside of work, I am a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) serving on the Student Membership Services Committee as a liaison to the MSU student chapter, a member of Triumph Church, a CPA Ambassador for the MACPA, and I absolutely love my kickboxing aerobics class. Most importantly, I am a very devoted wife and relatively "new" mother to our 10-month old son.

8. Are there any other interesting things about yourself or your career that you would like to share with other members, potential members and students?
The only other thing I would like to share with others is that I believe in the work that I am doing and the work that the MACPA is doing, especially in the area of outreach programs that touch students. Those who come behind us are the future going forward and if we don't take the time to uplift and develop them, we miss the opportunity (and responsibility) to create a better tomorrow.

9. What is your most meaningful volunteer experience?
I had an incredible experience with Junior Achievement. I volunteered at an elementary school on the Southwest side of Detroit and was responsible for teaching 5th grade students that day. I remember how the students' eyes lit up when I spoke to them about accounting and how they absorbed information like sponges. They seemed excited, stimulated. Having their attention and seeing those smiles was truly a privilege.

That same day, in talking with faculty members, I learned about the variety of hardships these students faced every day just to enjoy a focused learning environment. Lack of parental involvement, financial constraints, being pulled out of school to watch younger siblings while parents went to work … there are so many challenges. One parent had to send her child to school without his behavioral medication because she couldn't afford to refill the prescription. Unfortunately, because of the disruptive behavior that is symptomatic of his condition, he was sent home until she could refill it. No child should have to endure these kinds of obstacles. It just made me further realize how important it is to take a communal responsibility for our youth and how we can't use our own daily lives as the only measuring stick for where we are and how much work we have yet to accomplish. It gives you a true reality check about the needs of the community around you.

10. How do you balance your personal
and professional life?
Defining my priorities and understanding the "trade-offs" I have to make for those priorities is the first step. My second step is having a solid support system at home, as well as in the office.

My faith and my family are the most important things to me, but I'm also passionate about my work. My husband, who also has a very demanding career in accounting, and I work together as a team to not only define our priorities, but also achieve balance in each of these areas. When one needs to focus more in a particular arena, the other steps up to fill in the gaps until we are back in balance. We also recognize that if we are not content and energized in our personal lives, we are that much less effective to give to others in our professional worlds.

At work, I have a very supportive group of individuals who respect me and my values, and my firm has excellent supportive programs. Through communication, hard work and flexibility on both ends, I am able to excel in the office, while still maintaining a meaningful life outside of work.

11. What do CPAs need now to be successful
in the future?
To be successful in the future, CPAs need to really understand their clients and constantly look at how we can improve on the quality we deliver, even when that means doing things differently. We should seize the opportunities to demonstrate our value as trusted financial advisors and evolving strategic thinkers. That includes being innovative, in tune with our clients’ needs and their industries, and effectively educating clients (and potential clients) of all that accounting professionals have to offer. We're not just "number-crunchers.” Doing so only helps to maintain the view of our profession as one of the most respected and encourages more students to aspire to become CPAs.