Crafting a CPA career

During fourth grade, Chesterfield native Indacia Turner stored business cards in the pocket of her backpack. They read “Indacia Turner’s Arts and Crafts,” and featured her name, email and phone number. She created keychains, duct-tape wallets, pens, and even sold crocheted items.

Indacia is setting down her crochet hooks and pursuing the business profession by earning a bachelor's degree in accounting at Virginia State University in Richmond. This May, Indacia was awarded the inaugural Curtis C. Duke and Dr. Ruth Coles Harris Scholarship from the VSCPA Educational Foundation.

The VSCPA launched the Duke-Harris scholarship in 2021, the year of the Black CPA centennial. Curtis C. Duke and Dr. Ruth Coles Harris were the first Black CPAs in Virginia. The $2,000 award aims to encourage and support underrepresented students aspiring to be a part of the CPA profession.

Although Indacia has her heart set on the CPA pathway now, it wasn’t her first plan. COVID-19 shook up the idea of her future. She talked to a school counselor to discuss possible career paths.

“I told the counselor I like math and money; then she gave me a list of careers I should look into,” said Indacia. After that, she decided to do some of her own research surrounding different business professions.

“I was looking into business, and it was way too general. I knew I wanted something that’s more focused. These skills are transferable, and I can use them if I have my own company,” said Indacia.

In fact, one of Indacia’s plans for her future is to own her own company.

“I want to mentor people that might be in the same position as me,” said Indacia. “This life is hard, and I’d love to pass on what I’ve learned to someone that looks like me.”

Before she starts her own business, though, she plans to sit for the CPA Exam during her senior year, and then eventually earning her MBA and doctoral degrees.

Indacia applied for the VSCPA scholarship because she is aspiring to be a CPA. “VSCPA can invest in me now and then they’ll see that return later,” she said.

When Indacia isn’t tackling homework or working as a budget assistant, you can find her reading, enjoying YouTube videos, or planning her next outfit. At Virginia State, she is involved in the NAACP and the student body board for the School of Business, as well as the dance, theater and band programs.

“I’m really looking forward to building my network and meeting more people; thank you to the VSCPA for the scholarship,” said Indacia.

Indacia’s advice to high schoolers who are applying to college relates to her excitement about networking.

“Even if you go to school undecided, network, meet people and build relationships with your professors. You’ll still get something out of it that will elevate you as a person,” said Indacia.

Indacia said she is just getting started in her CPA journey; this is just the beginning of everything she has planned.