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Real CPA. Real Life.

Do you ever wonder what life is like for REAL Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)? Have you ever considered what life changing possibilities await REAL CPAs?


Here are three successful individuals who have reached #RealCPA status, all of whom are diverse in both their interests and their backgrounds. You will soon discover the many ways they have been shaking up the perceptions of the accounting profession and making waves in their industry, as well as their lives.


Meet this #RealCPA of Georgia: Adrienne Davis



School: Howard University

Graduated: 2014

Passed the Exam: 2017

Reached CPA Status: 2017

Title: Tax Senior Associate

Organization: Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors

Known For: Packing a punch inside the ring and within her firm. Can be seen hooking her clients with knockout tax advisory services and making an impact for her organization and the profession. Her go-to combination is having the right attitude and determination to conquer any challenge that comes her way.

CPAography: Worked at Deloitte Tax, LLP as a Tax Senior before joining Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors. Her current responsibilities include the preparation of tax returns of varying complexities with experience in corporate, partnership, and individual income tax returns. She also performs tax research and tax consulting, including projections.

Did You Know?: Adrienne took a sabbatical to Southeast Asia right after taking the exam, spending time in amazing locales in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. In total, she has visited over 20 countries!


Check out Adrienne's full profile


Meet this #RealCPA of New York: Jeremias Ramos



School: Mount Saint Mary College

Graduated: 2015

Passed the Exam: 2015

Reached CPA Status: 2016

Title: Tax Supervisor

Organization: Withum Smith & Brown

Known For: His ability to be front row at Broadway shows and in sharing tax and accounting news. Can be seen performing tax and business consulting services within real estate, professional service providers, medical practitioners, and eCommerce businesses. He is also a star and editor in chief of The Daily CPA, an online publication of accounting and tax news.

CPAography: Jeremias is a business and tax consultant working at Withum Smith & Brown, a nationally recognized full-service accounting, tax, and consulting firm with offices conveniently located throughout the Northeast. His company has a substantial theater niche, so it's cool to see different Broadway shows, not only for entertainment, but to stay knowledgeable of the theater landscape. This helps him to better serve his organization. Also, the theater helps him become a better storyteller. As an accountant, you need to tell stories in your writing but also in your communication to clients. Whether it be explaining tax law changes or discussing their current tax liability, you need to be able to share it in a way that's easy to understand. Theater allows him to craft that story in a unique way to create meaning and understanding. He is a 2nd generation Puerto Rican and the first in his family to graduate from college. He graduated top 5 in his class and passed all 4 parts of the exam on his first try. His playbill is helping underserved communities by giving free financial and tax advice through his online accounting publication.

Did You Know?: Jeremias has written over 200 articles and seen 30+ Broadway shows.


Check out Jeremias's full profile


Meet this #RealCPA of Georgia: Durran Dunn



School: The University of Southern Mississippi

Graduated: 2005

Passed the Exam: 2007

Reached CPA Status: 2008

Title: Senior Manager, Internal Audit

Organization: Graphic Packaging International, LLC

Known For: Sprinting throughout his organization to ensure effective risk management and internal controls, while overcoming hurdles to ensure regulatory and safety compliance are in alignment with the risk-based approved audit plan. Shining in the office and on the track, inspiring others through public speaking and coaching by sharing the seven principles to be your best self and exceed the expectations of others. Catch him…if you can... and you could be introduced to some pretty shiny hardware – his many medals in track and field at the regional and national United States Track and Field (USATF) Championships, the North and Central America and Caribbean (NCCWMA) Championships and the World Masters Athletics (WMA) Championships.

CPAography: Durran was born and raised in Jamaica before migrating to New York and now travels the world for business and athletic competitions. After completing internships on Wall Street, upon graduation, Durran started his career in public accounting at KPMG while he played semi-pro football. In his current role at Graphic Packaging International, LLC in Atlanta, he leads internal activities ranging from enterprise-wide risk assessment, SOX compliance, operational value-add audits and mergers and acquisition activities. He serves as a business-trusted advisor on both emerging and changing risks that include cybersecurity, anti-bribery and privacy; communicating results to the Audit Committee. Industry expertise includes manufacturing, construction, healthcare, financial services, technology, non-profit and distribution.

Did You Know?: As part of the Atlanta Braves Home Games Entertainment, he performs as a sprinter in RaceTrac’s “Beat The Freeze” - an in-game promotion where he races fans that are given a considerable head start. His job is to catch them before they reach the finish line - something he nearly always does!


Check out Durran's full profile


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