Business Student Finds Passion for Accounting at UToledo

Business Student Finds Passion for Accounting at UToledo

Though Jin Zhang began at UToledo as an undecided major, she quickly found her passion for accounting.

"The entry classes in the business major set me up for success. I was able to learn what classes I wanted to explore deeper and find my interest in accounting," Zhang said.

Jin Zhang was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived there for 10 years. Then, she and her family moved to Fujian, China until she returned to the United States for college. Zhang wanted to attend a university that was flexible and offered courses she was interested in. Her friend recommended UToledo and Zhang decided to enroll.

"My time at The University of Toledo has taught me that accounting has a great foundation that I can build and use to develop my skills," she said.

Zhang found the flexibility of the accounting pipeline program to be a great benefit. She took graduate classes during her senior year, putting her on a fast track to a master's degree in accounting. Zhang is set to graduate in May and then will take her CPA exam.

"The professors at UToledo understand that you have a busy schedule and they help us to balance our time and set us up to succeed," Zhang said.

"Jin Zhang exemplifies what it means to be intellectually curious," said Karen Green, associate professor of accounting. "I have known Jin since introductory managerial accounting and she was always seated at the front. Jin consistently came prepared - not just with answers but with thoughtful questions to understand the 'how' and 'why' behind the material.

"Beyond academics, Jin is a team player and a supportive peer. Whether helping classmates with challenging concepts or contributing to student organizations, she brings a spirit of collaboration and generosity to everything she does. Jin also has a rare gift for seeing the positive in every situation. Even during the competitive and often stressful recruiting season, she maintained a great attitude - finding the good in each firm's culture. I am excited to see where Jin's journey takes her. Being the accounting rockstar that she is, I have no doubt that she will shine."

Zhang said she found other helpful resources within the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation, such as the business career fair.

She also networked and developed connections that led to several internships: She was an assurance intern at Clifton Larson Allen (CLA), completed two internships at Clark Schaefer Hackett and most recently was a tax intern at Plante Moran last summer. Zhang also was involved in Pi Sigma Epsilon and Beta Alpha Si.

Zhang started tutoring at The Alan Barry Accounting Lab this fall and will continue to tutor until she graduates in May. The Alan Barry Accounting Lab offers one-on-one tutoring, advanced accounting simulation software and resources to prepare students for exams like the CPA and CMA.

"Tutoring at the accounting lab is teaching myself and the students at the same time," Zhang said. "If you can teach somebody what you've learned, then you've obtained 90% of the knowledge."

She accepted a job offer from CLA and upon graduation will start as an assurance associate in September.

Reflecting on her time as a Rocket, Zhang said she is grateful for the personal connections and career opportunities that UToledo has provided.

"I met my best friend at UToledo," she said. "You can meet all kinds of different people here and foster all kinds of relationships."