Name: Brent Elliott  |  Age: 30  |  Hometown: Camden  |  College: University of Arkansas at Little Rock  |  Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration-Accounting | Job Title: Owner and Finance Consultant  |  My Company: School Business Advisory Services Inc.

Why did you choose a career in this field?

During my childhood, I had the opportunity to have plenty of entrepreneurs within my family, but as I got older, I wondered why they weren’t as successful managing their personal finances. I chose to major in accounting to have a better understanding of how finances work.

Did you always plan to go this route?

I did not plan to choose [my current] career path. I knew I wanted a stable income and a challenging career that sometimes pushes you to learn a lot more than you would expect.

How did getting a bachelor's degree prepare you for this career?

I’m grateful for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock accounting program. It really pushed me with intensive courses that developed our knowledge and skills. The major advantage in getting a degree was the development of my research skills. Situations arise where you have no knowledge of how to accomplish the task, but you can always research to help find a solution.

Why did you decide to start your own advisory firm?

The first three years of my professional career were based on public school finance. When the opportunity to start the firm arose, it was a simple shift in job title.

What does your company do?

School Business Advisory Services Inc. is a professional advisory firm specializing in charter school bookkeeping services, such as payroll, budget management, cash flow management and accounts payable.

What skills do people need to succeed in this field?

You need to have a desire to provide customer service skills; and having effective communication skills will go a long way.

Who is your financial role model or mentor?

I have been blessed to be associated with many financial role models throughout my professional career. For me, networking has been groundbreaking; I've received a wealth of guidance that has helped groom me.