Ricot Jeanty (BACC ’10) is a man with a plan. He earned his undergraduate accounting degree from the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU), immediately taking six months off to study for the CPA exam, which he passed. He secured employment as a staff accountant at Allied Cash Advance in Miami and in August began working on his Master of Accounting (MACC) degree in a Saturday program in FIU’s Chapman Graduate School of Business.
His immediate goals are to complete his MACC as well as obtain his CPA license.
Within his well-planned path to success, a wonderful, unexpected event occurred. Jeanty was invited to attend the 32nd Annual National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Southern Region Student Conference held in Atlanta this September. His trip was completely sponsored by the Greater Miami Chapter of NABA.
“What an opportunity!” Jeanty said. “The conference was jam-packed and I was busy from morning till night. I attended technical sessions on how to run an effective student chapter, tools for effective networking and other topics. Plus, I attended the career expo and built many relationships.”
Jeanty was proud to represent FIU at the conference.
“I was particularly thrilled to meet NABA’s president, Calvin Harris Jr.,” he said.
“Lifting as you climb.”
Jeanty, born in Haiti, is grateful for the support he has received, including letters of recommendation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Board of Accountancy Minority Scholarships written by Antoinette Smith and Stephen Lin, faculty members in the School of Accounting. He has received both scholarships to help him on his quest for his master’s degree.
“Ricot is the student that most professors desire,” said Smith, who has mentored Jeanty. “He takes education seriously, is professional and reaches out for advice and guidance. Plus he has the desire to achieve and is humble at heart.”
Jeanty very much agrees with NABA’s motto of “Lifting as you climb.”
“I’ve made it through the first door and it’s my duty to help others,” he said. “I am trying to start a NABA chapter at FIU, to help others realize their dreams.”
