emerging professionals and a gen x cfo explore mentorship, curiosity, and why success no longer wears a suit and tie.
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accounting arc
with byron patrick, liz mason, and donny shimamoto
center for accounting transformation
when you think of accounting, do you picture spreadsheets and number crunchers locked in back offices? think again.
in a special student-led edition of the accounting arc podcast, high school senior and center for accounting transformation intern arpan grewal joins college accounting student chayton farlee and seasoned professional nealy wheat, cae, sphr, for an energetic and thoughtful conversation about the changing face of accounting—and what it means to succeed today.
more accounting arc: true grit: recognizing struggles that shape our successes | more admins, fewer students, no plan | what career advice gets wrong for gen z – and how to fix it |your identity is not a liability | what happens in vegas… gets reported on a tax return | burnout, be gone: accounting needs a boundary breakthrough | the ultimate business hack you’re probably ignoring | resilience, real talk, and the road to mental wellness | blockchain could still reshape accounting | what gen z wants from business | firm differentiation depends upon client service
wheat, who serves as chief financial and administrative officer of the american society for nondestructive testing (asnt), shares hard-won career wisdom and personal stories to inspire the next generation. but this isn’t your typical “how i made it” narrative. instead, listeners are treated to an open dialogue about failure, growth, curiosity, and the power of building your network early.
“success is not a straight line,” wheat says. “it’s a lattice of opportunities, setbacks, and mentors.”
the heart of the conversation centers on evolving definitions of success. grewal, a high-achieving high school senior already interning in the profession, admits that many students still see accounting as a rigid, transactional career.
wheat disagrees.
“accounting has evolved,” she says. “there’s so much opportunity in strategic roles, operations, hr, technology—you’re not limited to one path. and honestly, you shouldn’t be.”
farlee, a college senior majoring in accounting, echoes that sentiment, noting that he entered the field with limited awareness of the diversity of roles. “talking to professionals and interning helped me realize that it’s not just about math—it’s about people, strategy, and impact,” he says.
perhaps the most resonant theme of the episode is curiosity. wheat emphasizes the importance of asking “why,” whether you’re solving accounting problems, interviewing for jobs, or leading a team.
“curiosity is a leadership trait,” she says. “it keeps you open, adaptable, and always learning.”
she encourages students to challenge assumptions and ask tough questions—not just to gain knowledge, but to grow influence.
“don’t underestimate the value of not knowing everything,” she adds. “curiosity makes you a better leader.”
the conversation repeatedly circles back to people: the people you meet, the people you help, and the people who help you grow. for wheat, leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about humility, service, and the courage to admit when you don’t know something.
“at the end of the day, people remember how you made them feel—not your job title,” wheat notes.
this emotional intelligence, she says, is what differentiates accountants who check boxes from those who lead transformation.
as farlee points out, “this episode gave me permission to dream bigger. accounting is the ‘how’—but your passion can be the ‘why.’”
top 10 takeaways
- success is no longer a linear path—it can zig, zag, and still lead to greatness.
- mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping confidence and career direction.
- students should actively seek mentors and ask questions, even if they’re unsure.
- accounting is more dynamic and people-oriented than many realize.
- curiosity is a key driver of innovation and leadership.
- building your network early can accelerate opportunities and insight.
- emotional intelligence is just as important as technical skill.
- leadership is about service, not status.
- internships and shadowing experiences can reshape your career vision.
- being open to different roles within accounting expands your impact and options.