Member Spotlight: Alondra Ruiz Contreras

Who or what inspired you to get where you are today?
My love of math and my family inspired my career path. I’m following in the footsteps of my older brother, who works in auditing, making me the second (future) accountant in our family. It’s pretty funny because my mom, who immigrated from Mexico, told us that if she hadn’t immigrated to the United States, she would’ve studied accounting too. Knowing that I’m fulfilling one of her dreams motivates me even more.

How will you define success as a CPA?
I will define success as a CPA by the positive impact I can make on people’s lives. While my love for math drew me to accounting, the numbers I work with represent real people and their financial health. My goal is to handle those numbers with care, helping to improve lives rather than simply crunching figures.

Tell us how you achieved one of your most recent professional goals.
I recently achieved my goal of completing an accounting internship at a local firm, gaining hands-on experience in tax. To earn the position, I focused on activities I’m passionate about, like campus clubs and volunteering, which allowed me to develop relevant experience and a diverse skill set.

What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about financial literacy. I think being financially literate is a crucial life skill that everyone should have, but unfortunately, many lack access to the right resources to learn or don’t know where to start. Financial literacy is so important for helping individuals and families achieve long-term success, and I hope to contribute to making it more accessible for everyone in the future. 

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