In Episode 77 of the CPA Career Paths podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Wilson II, CPA, Principal at The W2 Group LLC and founder of GovieRates. Jeff shared his unfiltered CPA journey—from managing a university asset program in college to auditing federal prisons, and eventually founding his own firm. His story is a powerful mix of hustle, curiosity, and leadership under pressure.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How mentorship launched Jeff’s interest in accounting and business strategy
- Why foundational audit experience still pays off years later
- What it’s like to audit federal prisons across the U.S.
- The reality of navigating public accounting
- Practical leadership lessons from managing peers in college
From CFA Dreams to CPA Realities
Jeff didn’t initially aim to be a CPA. “I only went into accounting to understand business,” he said. A mentor changed that. Willie Huey, CFO at Bowie State University, handed him a Wall Street Journal—and it lit a spark.
“I wanted to be a CFA. I was day trading penny stocks and reading 10-Ks before I even really knew what I was looking at,” he said. But the deeper he got into investing, the more he realized: “You can’t truly understand business without understanding accounting.”
That realization ultimately led to Jeff earning his CPA and diving deeper into the profession than he ever expected.
Leadership Lessons at 20
While still in college, Jeff managed a team of 17 students through a campus-wide initiative that involved budgeting, asset management, and real-world reporting. “I had friends working for me, but my boss was the university’s CFO,” he recalled.
What he learned:
- Culture matters — Every industry and office has its own rhythm
- Lead with vision — “Leadership’s job is to explain what you see that others can’t”
- Get real-world experience early — It will set you apart from the start
Auditing Federal Prisons (Yes, Really)
One of Jeff’s first engagements at KPMG was auditing the Bureau of Prisons. “I’ve seen most of the U.S. through the lens of a prison system,” he joked. He spent weeks on the road, entering prisons and working with inmates who were also accountants.
But it wasn’t just a wild story—it built his foundation.
“Audit taught me how to document properly, support every number, and make sure no one needs to call me at midnight to figure out my work.”
Finding Your Fit in Firm Culture
Coming from Bowie State, Jeff entered a Big Four environment where the culture was different—and at times, intimidating. “Some people didn’t even know how to pronounce my college’s name,” he said.
But Jeff powered through. “Eventually, you find your lane. But head starts matter. If you can, get that internship experience early.”
Final Thoughts
Jeff Wilson’s career shows what’s possible when you combine business curiosity with leadership, real-world experience, and relentless drive. Whether you’re managing peers, auditing prisons, or building a tech firm, owning your journey is the first step to creating real impact.
🔔 Want More Real CPA Stories Like Jeff’s?
Join my monthly newsletter and get podcast recaps, career tips, and insider advice to master your CPA journey.
👉 Click here to subscribe!