Breana Farrell ’17/G’17 graduated in 2017 from the accounting + MBA dual-level program and was immediately hired by Tait Weller, the same accounting firm that she interned with the previous year. At Tait Weller, she worked her way up the ladder while she studied for her CPA exams: first an audit associate, then a senior, and then a supervisor.
Breana earned her CPA credential at the end of 2020. As a woman of color in a male-dominated profession, she knew this was an important step in her career. After six years at Tait Weller, she accepted an audit supervisor position at Citrin Cooperman, a Philadelphia-based accounting firm. In this role, Breana leads a team of accountants who audit the books of several businesses and corporations.
Some might assume a Christian college education is a hindrance on a resume for a competitive and secular career field. Breana believes that earning her degree from a Christian university like Cairn gives her a competitive edge in the job market:
“Being a Christian in the business world is probably the biggest advantage I have, especially in auditing. There is so much unethical behavior that can happen in business, so the fact that my integrity is not just a job responsibility but an essential part of my character is an extra layer of assurance for employers. I don’t ever question, ‘Should I sweep this under the rug?’ or say, ‘This is not exactly right, but we’ll let it slide for the bottom line’ because my reason to be honest is, ultimately, my relationship with Christ not my job.”
Breana’s faith, her parents’ service-oriented Jamaican background, and the Cairn mission also motivate her to use her gifts and knowledge of finance to help the broader community. She serves as treasurer of Young Caribbean Professional Network, sits on the finance committee of Alpha Care, and is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants. In the future, Breana would like to, in addition to owning her own accounting firm, open a nonprofit that offers financial services to underserved communities:
“Volunteering has given me the opportunity to see that a great need exists for financial literacy and services in underserved communities,” said Breana. “Financial literacy is not taught adequately in schools, and hiring a finance professional to fill that knowledge gap is a luxury many individuals cannot afford. My goal is to use the knowledge and skills that I have and offer them to those who need it most.”
This story was originially included in the Spring 2024 issue of Cairn magazine.
Learn more about the Accounting (BS) + MBA dual-level program.
