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tr ailblazer

“Te man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” –Vince Lombardi

zach

Dudley, CPA, ABV

As one of five children, Zach Dudley, CPA, ABV, has been working since he was 15. His blood, sweat and tears started at an early age so he could pay for his own car, gas and insurance and help his parents by buying his own clothes and food. “As a young kid, I didn’t understand our situation,” Dudley said. “It wasn’t until later that I realized how difficult things really were for my family.” During his junior year of high school, he gave up baseball so he could work more hours and focus on his academics to better prepare for college. He attended Oklahoma Christian University and at the young age of 19, he married his high school sweetheart. “I took the responsibility of

providing for my family very seriously and worked full time through college,” Dudley said. “It wasn’t easy working full time while we were both also full- time students.” Elaine Kelly, CPA, an associate

professor of accounting at Oklahoma Christian University, said, “[Zach] was a joy to have in class because of his work ethic and knowledge. He was extremely dedicated to his course work and prepared diligently for his accounting career both in and out of the classroom.” Te hard work paid off. Dudley graduated Summa Cum Laude and became the first in his family to have a college degree. With his wife’s encouragement and support, he studied for, sat for and passed the CPA exam and the ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation) exam. “By adding this designation, I

have increased my understanding of business operations and sharpened my analytical skills,” Dudley explained.

Dudley continues to dedicate his time to his alma matter as a member of the Accounting Advisory Board (AAB). “As a member, Zach works closely to help bring relevance to the graduate and undergraduate accounting curriculum and classroom and to champion the accounting program to business colleagues and to the community,” said Kelly. “Zach continually challenges OC to remain relevant and focused on the accounting and professional education of their accounting students.” Dudley is also a board member

and volunteer for Sooner Youth Camp and an active member of the OSCPA’s Young Accounting Professionals (YAP) Committee, volunteering for CPA Day of Service and Regional Food Bank Volunteer Night. Additionally, Dudley assists the Accounting Careers Committee by volunteering for Career Nights. Josh Elder, CPA, also an active member of the YAP Committee and a 2017 Trailblazer, said, “Zach is a true representative of the future of the profession, seeking the best way to attract and build new relationships with our members, as well as including members who are less active and getting them more involved.” Marc Daniluk, vice president

of Pier Drillers, Inc., is a business associate of Dudley’s and had high praise for his friend, saying, “Te way he loves and provides for his family, how he goes out of his way to help a friend in need and the admirable and mature manner he portrays in the face of adversity are all testaments to his character and his vivid appreciation for life and what it has to offer.”

Getting to know

zach

If you weren’t a CPA, what would you be? A game warden

What will we never catch you doing? Singing on stage

What would we never catch you wearing? Jorts

If you could have any animal as a pet, regardless of restrictions, what would you have? A giant dog! I currently have an Airedale Terrier named Mae.

What snack do you crave late at night? Cap’n Crunch

What is the most embarrassing song you have? Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift

Are you famous for anything? I was on a local jewelry store commercial.

March/April 2019

CPAFOCUS

17

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