Professor Marilyn Young Named a Woman to Watch by TSCPA

Q&A: What drives the 2025 Experienced Leader as an educator, professional, mentor

Professor of accounting Dr. Marilyn Young was recently honored with a 2025 TSCPApex Women to Watch Award by the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA).  

Two Women to Watch Awards are presented to women who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession through leadership, service and mentorship. The award is given in two categories, Experienced Leaders and Emerging Leaders. 

The recipient of the 2025 Experienced Leader award, Young has built a legacy of excellence both in and outside the classroom over the course of her decades-long accounting career. In addition to co-founding Belmont’s Accounting Center for Excellence, she has shaped curriculum, inspired students and helped close the talent gap within the industry. This honor celebrates Young’s enduring dedication to her students, profession and community. 

From first jobs and college detours to surprising accounting insights, this Woman to Watch shares what drives her as a leader, teacher and mentor. 

What was your very first job—and what did it teach you?  

My first professional job was tax staff accountant at Deloitte.  I learned so much from that first experience - time management, communication, start every day with a plan/to-do list, continually read and keep learning, listening skills and how to meet deadlines. Before that I worked as a babysitter, in a French bakery, and counted inventory each year for a plumbing supply store owned by a family friend. Each one of those jobs prepared me for a career in accounting. 

What’s one thing students would be surprised to learn about you? 

As passionate as I am about accounting, it was not my first major in college — it was my 5th. I had five majors in my freshman year: microbiology, public relations, psychology, healthcare management and then accounting.  

Early inspiration 

Both of my parents were accountants, and they were always in the background telling me that I would be good at accounting. I didn't believe them until I had some amazing professors in college who encouraged me to pursue accounting. 

When talent and interest intersect 

I think one of the hardest parts about college is finding out who you are and identifying what you like and don't like. In my five majors, there are topics that came easy for me, but they could not hold my interest as a career, and there were topics that were interesting but beyond my natural ability.  I knew accounting was for me because it was the first time my talent and interest intersected.   

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the accounting field? 

Accountants are much more social and personable than our reputation. For CPAs, public is in the name. We serve the public generally and our clients specifically. Accounting is not known as a helping profession, but our careers are about solving problems for people. Most CPAs that I know are excellent at networking and problem-solving. In most conversations, they are asking: ‘How can I help you?’ 

Beyond numbers 

A misconception about accounting is that you have to be good at math to be an accountant, but accounting is about organization and communication and most of the math is just addition and subtraction. After the information is organized, the financial statement is simply a communication tool.  

If you weren’t a professor, what other career might you have pursued? 

I would have gone to law school and pursued a career as a lawyer.  In another universe, I would pursue a career as a professional tennis player. 

What’s the most “accountant-like” thing about your daily routine?

Part of the work life of a CPA is keeping time sheets for billing clients. The most accountant-like thing about me is that, even without a watch or phone, I'm wired to always know what time it is.  

Is there a person in your life or career who’s inspired you to lead with confidence? 

I have been so fortunate to have mentors in college, graduate school and at every professional job I have had. I can't think of one specific person, but rather a collection of amazing and generous people. 

Being named a Woman to Watch a career moment for me. I am so grateful to be a part of TSCPA. Some of the best people I know are CPAs in the state of Tennessee. It is an incredible honor.