CalCPA Outstanding Accounting Senior Award 2025-2026
Cassidy grew up in Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, and graduated from Moanalua High School. She chose to attend Santa Clara University because it is the best business school in the Bay Area, and Silicon Valley offers many opportunities. SCU’s small class sizes have allowed her to build meaningful relationships with her professors and peers. Before coming to SCU, she thought she wanted to pursue a career in education. After taking the Introduction to Financial Accounting class in her sophomore year, she realized that accounting was the path for her. “I discovered that I enjoyed accounting because of how applicable it was to every realm of business and the organizational and problem-solving skills it fosters.”
As a leader in the SCU Accounting Association, Cassidy organizes various accounting events such as Meet the Firms, Winter Accounting Career Fair, and resume/interview workshops. “Building relationships with other students and seeing them benefit from the event we worked so hard to plan has been a joy.”
Cassidy is an Accounting Peer Educator tutor and coordinator. She tutors students in the accounting courses she has previously taken. “Every Thursday I am available for 30-minute appointments or open office hours on Zoom. Being a tutor has been a great experience because I have been able to give back to the SCU community and pursue my passion for education.”
As part of Ka Manaʻo O Hawaiʻi, which is the Hawaiʻi club on campus, Cassidy has served as treasurer, lūʻau decorations committee chair, country store member, and an administrative and finance chair. “Being a part of this club and event is special to me because growing up in Hawaiʻi has shaped me into the person I am today. The culture and community there are unmatched because of how we truly treat each other like family.”
In summer 2024, she completed an audit internship at KMH LLP, which is a local CPA firm in Hawai‘i. In summer 2025, she interned at Deloitte in the San Jose audit department. “Audit associates normally also work within teams similar to those I am a part of in the SCUAA, tutoring, and Hawaiʻi club. Though working in teams is usually fun, it can also be challenging. I have learned that it is important to make sure everyone is on the same page, to give everyone a chance to share their ideas, and to hold each other accountable for responsibilities.”
Finally, Cassidy expressed, “When I become a professional, I want to be ethical, hard-working, and trustworthy on all projects. Instead of focusing on attaining a specific career, this is the goal I will continue to strive towards: serving my community well and having a positive impact on those around me. If I achieve this goal, I will be someone my younger self would be proud of.”