Ashley Baker

• Financial Department Coordinator – MSD Washington Township
• INCPAS Scholar Indianapolis 2016–17
• Attended Indiana State University and majored in business administration with a concentration in accounting, finance and marketing

We have shared several stories about our INCPAS Scholars throughout the years. Since many of them have now graduated college, are beginning to pass the CPA Exam, enter the profession and earn their license, we thought it would be fun to follow up with them and see how they are doing. 

Ashley participated in the 2016–17 INCPAS Scholars program and started working full-time at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation as a mortgage loan officer immediately after graduation. She is now the financial department coordinator for MSD Washington Township. She shared her experiences in the INCPAS Scholars program and updated us on her future professional goals and the master’s program she recently enrolled in. 

INCPAS: What was your biggest takeaway from the INCPAS Scholars program? 

Ashley: My biggest takeaway from the INCPAS Scholars program is the invaluable relationships I developed. Now that I have graduated from both high school and college, staying connected has helped keep me motivated to stay true to my career goals. 

Prior to graduation, I never knew exactly what I wanted to do or be. I just knew I wanted to be in the business sector, so this program was a great visualizer for me and my future. It helped introduce me to the different facets of business I wanted to pursue. Being in the INCPAS Scholars program also opened my eyes to all the different possibilities within accounting, because it is truly everywhere. Even though I didn’t stay in accounting, it helped me pivot into finance. If it weren’t for my accounting background to introduce me to finance, I am unsure where I’d be. 

INCPAS: You went to Indiana State University. How did the Scholars program prepare you for college? 

Ashley: It gave me the base knowledge of accounting acumen I needed prior to starting my collegiate courses. It also helped me with understanding the importance of networking and being more comfortable with my professors. When we took the college tours at IU and Purdue, it helped break down a mental wall in my mind with shyness and communication regarding professors. This was different from any other college visit I had been on, because in the past they were usually based around being a student athlete. When we did discuss academics, I didn’t have the chance to meet any professors because it was a sports recruiting visit. 

The Scholars program really helped me see professors in real life versus what I saw on TV or what my high school teachers said professors would be like. It made the experience more personable and real. Then once I got to college, I felt more comfortable and less intimidated by the unknown. 

INCPAS: You were a track & field student athlete at Indiana State. Were there any skills you developed from managing several priorities at once? 

Ashley: Being a student athlete has taught me countless life lessons I am forever grateful for. Luckily, I already had strong time management skills—but college sharpened them even more. Having a coachable mentality is everything, and sports (track especially) helped with that mindset development. It can be so easy to give up with juggling 25+ hour training weeks, which consist of a combination of early morning practices and weightlifting after classes, or even in between classes. When it is competition season, it was always a balance being on the road and still needing to make class deadlines. It could be a lot at times, but I had to always remember the bigger picture and remember the reason why I even started—that helped me stay grounded. 

INCPAS: How did your internship prepare you for your first job after graduation? 

Ashley: My internship at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation was the perfect preparation because it ended up being the first job I landed after graduation: I became a mortgage lender. I had close interactions with the loan officers during my internship and was able to assist in transactions which honed my interpersonal skills such as communication, conflict resolution, negotiating and active listening. I learned the back-end work for loan documents and quick mathematical equations for estimated payments for borrowers. It also taught me about office culture and how all office spaces have their own culture and politics. 

INCPAS: What is your favorite part of your job at MSD Washington Township? 

Ashley: My favorite part of my job is the community. I love the people I encounter daily because I coordinate between different departments within the township. Ultimately, I love knowing what I am doing is helping provide a quality educational and inclusive environment for students. It is pretty cool to have the opportunity to incorporate finance and managing budgets into education to ensure we are offering quality education to the future of the community. 

Celebrating her graduation from Indiana State University in June 2021.	Visiting the coast for her grandfather’s 75th birthday in Long Beach, CA with (L–R) her uncle Chris, mom Crystal, grandfather John, and brother Blake.

INCPAS: Do you have any advice for high school students who are interested in becoming CPAs? 

Ashley: Find a community and stay connected. I am a strong believer in community; you eventually become who you surround yourself with. Accounting courses can be challenging, so being surrounded by like-minded individuals will keep you on track. 

It is imperative to be focused in college and not lose sight of the end goal—it is inevitable you will face some adversities that get you sidetracked. Your community can help you and hold you accountable. Also, do not be afraid to use EVERY resource offered to you! Whatever that looks like: office hours, tutors, resume prep in the career center, internships, study groups, studying abroad, etc. Use every single tool you can. 

INCPAS: What are your long-term professional goals? 

Ashley: My long-term professional goals are not as black and white as most people’s. I don’t have definite labels for things because, post grad, I learned there are so many career paths I didn’t know about. I also graduated during COVID, so I think in a different perspective of not necessarily needing to physically be in an office to make money. 

I don’t want to limit myself with specific positions, but I do have a plan for my long-term professional lifestyle. I enjoy networking and collaborating with people with different ideas and perspectives, so I know management will continue in my future. I also learned in college that I do not enjoy repetitive routines; I am more of a spontaneous person, which drew me into project management. I am starting my master’s program in the fall to jumpstart that career path and see where it leads me! Once I graduate from my MBA program, I will take the exam for the PMP certificate (Project Management Professional) which is globally recognized. 

INCPAS Scholars is an award-winning, free program that encourages high school students to consider becoming a CPA. The only program of its kind, INCPAS Scholars introduces students to the profession by pairing them with practicing CPAs, touring CPA firms and businesses that employ CPAs, and participating in events to immerse them in the profession. You can support the program at incpas.org/Scholars. 

Want to get involved as an INCPAS Scholars mentor? 
Contact Ali Tonini, CAE, INCPAS VP – Pipeline & Outreach, for more information.