Reagan Cook earned her undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance (2019) from the Kelley School of Business. Reagan currently works at TaxBit, a firm that provides tax and accounting solutions for cryptocurrency and digital assets, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Why did you choose to major in accounting?
What I love about accounting is the ability to standardize information in a way that is consumable for the general population in a way that is equitable and consistent. I personally really love investing in stocks and digital assets. In order for an individual investor like myself to understand a business and compare performance amongst others in the industry, it is critical to have accurate, timely, and consistent information in order to make decisions I feel good about. The concept and need for accurate and timely information for strategic decisions is vital for key stakeholders (internal and external) at any company, regardless of the size of the business. Understanding numbers will give you an edge anywhere, truly.
Was there a course/project/group/interaction, etc. at Kelley that has been particularly helpful to you in your career?
I can’t speak to an individual class or project, but what I can emphasize is the impact the relationships had and still have on me. The opportunity to receive constructive feedback through building trust with peers and professors in the business school accelerated my professional development more than any other time in my life to date. The same mistakes cannot always be made in a professional environment, so I reflect back and am incredibly grateful for the safe space to learn, grow, and fail fast in an environment where everyone wants excellence for everyone. In addition to an environment that values radical candor, I value the interpersonal skills developed through getting to know each of my professors. All professors are there for a reason, and with a genuine effort to be engaged, there is a wealth of knowledge to learn from each of them.
What was your favorite part of being an accounting student at Kelley?
I love the relationships built through the variety of assignments, project work, and curriculum. There truly is not a dull moment if the classroom environment is viewed as an opportunity to build relationships, learn different ways of thinking, and as a way to improve your skill sets.
Drawing on your career experiences, what advice would you give to future Kelley Accounting students?
Embrace your peers and professors, and get comfortable failing fast, especially in an environment where you are surrounded by an incredible support system. Give your best effort, and keep in mind that the “fun” isn’t over after graduation.
What was your favorite accounting class at Kelley?
While there is not one class that I preferred over the others, my favorite part about all of the accounting classes was the fact that I needed to actually try and learn new skills in order to succeed. I often find in my professional experience at a startup that I constantly need to sharpen my knowledge base in areas that I don’t necessarily enjoy but will help me accelerate in the areas where I have the potential to thrive professionally. 🙂
Learn more about Reagan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reagancook1/
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