I had the pleasure of speaking with Marjorie McPike, CPA, in episode #76 of the CPA Career Paths podcast. Marjorie is not only the owner of her own CPA firm but also an adjunct associate professor at Riverside City College, a leader in CalCPA, and a founding member of the Alliance of Black Women Accountants. Her journey is the perfect example of how saying “yes” to opportunities can lead to exponential growth in your accounting career.
🔍 Interview Summary: Highlights & Key Takeaways
Marjorie’s path has been driven by bold decisions, consistency, and meaningful connections. Whether it’s teaching her first class, launching her firm, or leading volunteer efforts, she emphasizes progress over perfection.
Takeaways from our conversation:
- Start before you feel ready
- Network intentionally
- Don’t fear imperfection — just take action
- Volunteer for growth, not just visibility
- Find mentors (and be one too)
💼 From CPA Firm Owner to Adjunct Professor
“I just taught my first class,” Marjorie shared. “Each semester, it’ll just get better. That’s with anything — the more you do it, the better it gets.”
Marjorie’s journey into teaching started from a single speaking engagement. That simple “yes” led to a new role at Riverside City College, where she now teaches income tax preparation.
Lesson: Don’t underestimate the power of small steps. You never know where one opportunity might lead.
🌱 Building a Business with Consistency and Courage
In the last four years running her practice, Marjorie’s biggest lesson has been to “just keep going.” She shared:
“You’re always learning, you’re always building, you’re always growing. Be consistent. Don’t be afraid. Step out. Try something new.”
Her success didn’t happen overnight. It was built through relationships, meeting deadlines, and showing up. “I’ve been very blessed to have connections with different CPA firms,” she noted. Relationship-building has been key to both her client base and her professional development.
🤝 Volunteer, Mentor, and Network
Marjorie is deeply active in CalCPA and is the president of the Inland Empire Chapter. She’s also a founding member of the Alliance of Black Women Accountants, which has grown from 6 to over 260 members and distributed $22,000 in scholarships last year.
“Everyone wants to help,” she said. “Especially in accounting — seasoned professionals want to see you succeed.”
Her networking tips:
- Do it afraid — growth comes from discomfort
- Be proactive when seeking mentors
- Offer your time and energy in return
📚 Book Recs to Level Up
Marjorie dropped a bookshelf’s worth of must-reads, including:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
- The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran
- Traction by Gino Wickman
- The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
🎯 Final Advice: Keep It Moving
“Done is better than perfect,” Marjorie reminded us. “Sometimes a B-minus is just fine. Keep doing something every day that moves you forward.”
That mantra — just keep moving — stuck with me. Whether you’re starting your CPA journey or leveling up, you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to take the next step.
🚀 Ready to Master Your CPA Career?
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