This week's CPA of Ohio is Matthew Li, second year student at Case Western Reserve University.

What do you like to do in your free time?

“Over quarantine I have been working out a lot, lifting and running. I have also been listening to a lot of podcasts, NPR and economics podcasts. I’ve also been playing a lot of board games because that was a fun activity to do with my family and I’ve brought it with me to college and played with my suitemates as well.”

Is there any life advice someone has given you that really resonated?

“I’m really passionate about nonprofits and service work. Over this past summer I worked with an executive director of a nonprofit in Cleveland. He told me that I shouldn’t switch my major to something that might be more widely demanded in nonprofits because business skills are the most in demand skills within nonprofit works. When I was working with him he always appreciated the insights I could give with my technical knowledge of accounting.”

What are you most looking forward to about being a CPA?

"I’m most looking forward to the credibility that comes with the license. After going through a lot of accounting classes and being an OSCPA ambassador, I know that CPAs are respectable, accountable and proficient in the functions that they do for businesses. (I'm also looking forward to) knowing that I was able to work hard to get this license and become a respectable professional within the business world."