I had the pleasure of speaking with Rachel Farris, CPA, founder of Tech Stack AI, on the CPA Career Paths podcast (Episode #124). Rachel’s story is proof that your accounting career doesn’t have to follow a straight line—and that the skills that accelerate growth often have less to do with debits and credits and more to do with relationships, confidence, and visibility.
Interview Summary: Highlights & Takeaways
In this episode, Rachel shared how she pivoted from marketing to accounting, built experience through community-based tax work, gained Big Four exposure, and ultimately launched her own firm and technology solution. The big theme: career growth comes faster when you combine technical skills with networking and personal branding.
Here are the top lessons I took away from our conversation:
- Build real relationships, not transactional connections
- “Shoot your shot” with leaders—even early in your career
- Use LinkedIn and a personal brand to create opportunities
- Apply for awards and scholarships (yes, self-nominate)
From Marketing to Accounting: A “Weird Pivot” That Worked
Rachel started in marketing, then took an accounting class expecting not to like it—until she realized she was excelling. She said her professor pulled her aside and told her she should consider accounting because she was advancing unusually fast. Rachel also loved that accounting could support lifestyle goals: family, stability, and financial opportunity.
She also emphasized something many people overlook: accounting can be entrepreneurial. Her dad, a business-minded marketer, came to see that “there’s a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities for accountants.”
What Big Four Really Taught Her
Rachel didn’t follow the typical audit-or-tax-only route. She worked in Strategy and Transactions, rotating through audit, M&A, and some tax. But the biggest skill she gained wasn’t technical.
“I think I learned how to work with people,” she told me. Rachel lives by the idea: “It’s more about who you know sometimes than what you know.”
She built her network by doing one simple thing consistently: reaching out.
“I would send emails and pings… ‘Would love to pick your brain and go out to coffee.’”
Her mindset was fearless: “The worst thing that someone says to you is no.”
Networking That Actually Feels Natural
Rachel’s approach is refreshing because it’s human. She bonds over real life—travel, hobbies, family—then lets professional connections grow from there.
One of my favorite examples: she reached out to a Big Four leader by referencing their shared hiking experience in Nepal. That personal starting point turned into a powerful lesson about perseverance through busy seasons and long-term career growth.
Her best relationship-building tip is simple and memorable:
- After career fairs, write personal notes on business cards (dog’s name, hobbies, kids)
- Follow up with something real like: “Say hi to your dog for me.”
As Rachel put it: “People love talking about themselves.”
Personal Branding Tips That Make You Memorable
Rachel’s marketing background gave her an edge in accounting. She believes being able to pitch yourself matters—especially when you’re early in your career.
Here’s her practical branding advice:
- Use LinkedIn with substance (share your perspective, not generic posts)
- Bring business cards to career fairs (paper, not just QR codes)
- Create a personal website to show who you are and what you’re learning
- Nominate yourself for awards and apply for scholarships
Her reminder hit hard: “Leave it to the committee to decide… Give yourself a shot.”
Key Takeaways You Can Use This Week
- Reach out to one leader for coffee—expect nothing, learn everything
- Add one meaningful LinkedIn post this month (a lesson from class or work)
- Order simple business cards and use them intentionally
- Apply for one scholarship or award—even if you feel “underqualified”
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