By Camille Wilmes
During November 2018, we traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina for the 20th Annual IMA Student Leadership Conference. Our record twenty-one Missouri State students had the opportunity to network with fellow accounting students as well and accounting professional from various industries. We were also given the opportunity to tour one of three amazing organizations in the Charlotte area: Bank of America, Duke Energy, or the Charlotte Knights. We attended the IMA bowling social as well as a Charlotte Hornets game. The conference was highlighted by the great list of speaking sessions led by outstanding business professionals.
The conference was started off by the inspiring Grant Thronton Partner John Howell. He was a witness to two major tragedies and was able to take the devastating situations to change his outlook on life. Howell went over the importance of giving your all in everything you do and not waste time on things and people that don’t matter.
Then, we began to filter into the smaller rooms to become engaged in enrapturing presentations from professionals representing firms and companies from all over the world. At one of the panels, the three professionals discussed their respective professional careers and how to manage your own career. They stressed the importance of always learning and to always be curious. One of the panelists, Candice Klein, also discussed the importance of doing what no one else is willing to do.
Another common topic among the speakers was the incorporation of technology and data analytics into the accounting world. The topics varied from creating RPA systems to Industry 4.0. Loreal Jiles spoke about how creating bots helps develop a more efficient workflow. She also spoke on how the bots won’t replace the need for human workers, it will just change how an employee does his or her work.
The conference was closed out by Weston Smith, the former Healthsouth CFO. He discussed his journey of actively covering up the three billion dollar fraud over his career at Healthsouth. Weston Smith told his personal story of how someone who always thought they were an ethical person fell down the slippery slope of financial fraud. Overall, the conference was an enlightening and enjoyable experience for Missouri State attendees. Many of the attendees are looking forward to going to Pittsburg next year.
