Dayon Gill

Tax Staff – EY
INCPAS Scholar Indianapolis 2018–19
Attended IUPUI

We have shared several stories about our INCPAS Scholars throughout the years. Since many of them have now graduated college, are beginning to pass the CPA Exam, enter the profession and earn their license, we thought it would be fun to follow up with them and see how they are doing.

Dayon was part of the 2018–19 INCPAS Scholars program. In the winter of 2020, he had completed the Scholars program and was a freshman at IUPUI, majoring in accounting and finance. We asked him about the importance of using his voice in the CPA IN Perspective magazine article “Ask the Alumni.”

Dayon started full time at EY as a tax staff this summer. He updated us on his exciting year and the most important things he learned from the INCPAS Scholars program.

INCPAS: In the winter of 2020, in a CPA IN Perspective Scholars Ask the Alumni article, you shared with us how you plan to use your voice in the future: through networking and acting upon what you say. Have you continued using your voice as you gained experience in your internships?

Dayon: Gaining experience in my internships has helped me achieve the goal of using my voice. The more experience I get, the more I realize the importance of my voice. I have learned that without it, there is a void no one else can fill. These opportunities have provided me with valuable insights into the power of effective communication and the impact I can have.

INCPAS: What was the biggest takeaway you learned during your time in the INCPAS Scholars program?

Dayon: The importance of building a network. I’m grateful I learned this early while going through the program because it has helped me navigate my career. By actively participating in the INCPAS Scholars program, I had the opportunity to connect with professionals, mentors and fellow scholars. Engaging with these individuals allowed me to gain insights into different career paths, industry trends and professional development strategies.

INCPAS: You’ve had an exciting year. You graduated from IUPUI in May and started a new job as a tax staff at EY. You also got married! Congratulations! How did your internships help shape your future with EY?

Dayon: Thank you! It has been an exciting year, and my internships played a crucial role in shaping my future with EY as a Tax Staff. My internships exposed me to the day-to-day responsibilities of a tax accountant at EY. I was able to work on real client projects, collaborate with experienced professionals and gain hands-on experience with various tax-related tasks. I connected with colleagues and mentors who provided guidance and support throughout my journey. I am excited to embark on this new chapter, and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have led me to this point.

Dayon got married this summer — two days after taking his last college exam!

INCPAS: How did your internships help you determine your career path?

Dayon: Being exposed to various aspects of tax accounting, such as corporate tax, individual tax, and tax planning, broadened my perspective and allowed me to explore different areas within the tax field. I saw how my voice can add value to unsolved client-related issues. My time as an intern helped me determine my career path by allowing me to directly engage in tax-related projects and understand the real-world implications of the work.

INCPAS: What are you most excited about in starting your job at EY?

Dayon: I am most excited about the knowledge and practical experience I will gain on the job. I am grateful because the knowledge I obtain will put me in a better position to help those in underserved communities with tax-related concerns. I am incredibly excited about the knowledge, experience and personal growth that await me at EY.

INCPAS: What are your plans for taking the CPA Exam?

Dayon: Earlier this year I was able to take my first CPA Exam section (FAR) because the rule changed from requiring 150 credit hours to sit to requiring 120 hours. I wanted to get the hardest section out of the way first but unfortunately, I did not pass. After this first attempt, I decided to take a break from studying and focus on finishing my last semester of school. It has been an exciting time for me because I also got married this summer, so I’ve dedicated this time to enjoy my wife and family. I plan on studying and taking BEC before the year is up and taking the last three sections next year.

Graduation from IUPUI	Honeymoon with wife Fantashia in Cancun, Mexico

INCPAS: Do you have any advice for high school students who are interested in becoming CPAs?

Dayon: Get experience: I had an internship every year in college. The exposure played a pivotal role in helping me determine the work I am genuinely passionate about. Inquire about the CPA profession, engage with CPA-related organizations like INCPAS and connect with individuals who have experience in the accounting industry. Become knowledgeable about the profession because this will help you excel in it. Ask yourself, why do you want to be a CPA? Experience will help you answer that question.

INCPAS Scholars is an award-winning, free program that encourages high school students to consider becoming a CPA. The only program of its kind, INCPAS Scholars introduces students to the profession by pairing them with practicing CPAs, touring CPA firms and businesses that employ CPAs, and participating in events to immerse them in the profession. You can support the program at incpas.org/Scholars. 

Want to get involved as an INCPAS Scholars mentor? 
Contact Ali Tonini, CAE, INCPAS VP – Pipeline & Outreach, for more information. 

Load more comments