By Scott Jackson
Abby Vance (’25 Accounting, Finance) came to WSU from nearby Clarkston, Washington, but college didn’t always feel like a guaranteed next step. With the support of numerous scholarships, Vance enrolled at WSU and found a direction in the Carson College of Business that aligned with her academic interests and professional aspirations.
Vance graduated last spring and now works for one of the “Big Four” accounting firms. Her success reflects the power of scholarship support and how the Carson College prepares students for meaningful careers and personal growth.
Turning interest in ethics into direction
Though Vance initially studied finance at the Carson College, her interest in forensic accounting eventually led her to add a second major.
“I realized I liked the job prospects of accounting more—it has all of the different aspects I was looking for in terms of job stability and the responsibilities involved,” she says. “I decided to add the second major in my sophomore year of college, and I haven’t looked back.”
While the two fields may seem similar, Vance explains that finance focuses on managing a company’s or individual’s financial growth and investments, while accounting centers on tracking and reporting financial performance.
She especially appreciated how her coursework highlighted the importance of ethics and clear communication. She says she found herself drawn to the auditing side of the field in particular because of its emphasis on transparency and corporate accountability.
Vance says business law stood out from her other courses in terms of value. She says it became apparent the subject applied to other classes she took at the Carson College, allowing her to see them through a legal and ethical lens.
“A lot of what I learned in that class can extend outside of the context of business,” she says.
Bridging campus and community life
Beyond the classroom, Vance immersed herself in student life and campus engagement. She tutored fellow students in accounting and finance through the WSU Academic Success and Career Center, worked as a clerical assistant in the Office of the Chancellor, and spent three years as a project leader with the WSU Center for Civic Engagement. She says that last role in particular had a powerful impact, allowing her to lead and participate in a wide range of community-focused projects across Pullman.
“It was really rewarding to be able to bridge my college experience with my involvement in the Pullman community,” she says. “When you get out and talk to all of these different nonprofits and organizations, you realize there are some great people doing some really cool things.”
Vance also served as vice president of programming for the WSU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor organization for financial information students and professionals. She says the role brought professional growth and real responsibility.
“While I was the vice president, I was able to actually be the first point of contact between firms and the organization,” she says. “You learn a lot of different perspectives and new ways to think about accounting—that was a big growth moment for me.
Scholarships fuel success
Vance says none of these opportunities would have been within reach without the support of scholarships. She received several awards, including the Carson College’s Reed McCurry and the Edward O’Brien accounting scholarships. She says there are often more resources available to students than they realize and encourages others to apply even if they aren’t sure they’ll qualify.
“I’ve lived my entire life below the poverty line, and I don’t think college would have ever been in the realm of possibility if it weren’t for scholarships and financial aid,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful for all of the people who contributed to these scholarships—the fact that they believed in me is not lost on me.”
Vance works in an audit and assurance role with Deloitte—one of the top accounting firms in the world. She plans to earn her CPA and hopes to work in forensic accounting someday, but she’s excited about the opportunities offered at Deloitte—especially the chance to engage with the ethical side of the profession.
“I really enjoy auditing because it’s the avenue companies have created to govern themselves,” she says. “It’s what keeps business good and prevents companies from lying to the public and their stakeholders about how well they’re doing and what they’re doing.”
Vance says her experience at WSU has shown her how the generosity of donors plays a critical role in making this kind of future possible for students like her.
“Their impact on students’ lives is so much greater than they will ever know,” she says. “The impact of their help is greater than the sum of their donation—helping students can be such a powerful investment in society.”
To learn more about supporting scholarships, email ccb.development@wsu.edu.
