When Leonel Avalos first came to California State University, Bakersfield in 2021 as a business administration major focused on finance, he knew he wanted to work with money but wasn’t sure what type of job would be the best fit for him.
It wasn’t until he attended an event on campus the following year with representatives from the Internal Revenue Service that Avalos discovered what truly inspired him: investigating financial transactions, also known as forensic accounting.
“It’s like a puzzle. You’re using your analytical skills to figure out if there’s been a crime,” he said. “You’re looking through bank statements, looking at where money is going, how it’s coming in and going out. That really caught my attention.”
Avalos, a Florida native who moved to Bakersfield with his family when he was 15 years old, decided to pursue an accounting concentration in addition to finance and is now set to graduate later this month with two business administration bachelor’s degrees.
“I have mixed emotions about it. I’m nervous but mostly excited to start a new journey,” he said.
When Avalos first arrived at CSUB, he was intent on taking advantage of the fresh start that college provided him. He said he was very introverted in high school and didn’t participate in any clubs, something he was determined to change during his time on campus.
After learning about CSUB’s University Accounting Association, Avalos decided to give it a try and found that he really enjoyed it. He went on to become an officer in the club and is serving as its president this semester.
“It’s stressful because I never thought I could live up to the previous presidents. They did such a great job,” he said. “I actually surprised myself. I’m proud with what me and my board have been able to do. We’ve been able to provide a lot of fun experiences for students.”
Avalos didn’t stop with UAA. He has been involved in several other clubs and organizations on campus, including the CSUB chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants and the Financial Management Association. He was able to help organize an FMA student trip to New York City last year that he also took part in.
Avalos has also been a part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for the past two years, in which accounting students provide free tax preparation services to members in the community.
“I’ve gotten to do so many things I wouldn’t have thought I’d ever be doing,” he said. “It’s really been a really great experience learning and doing all these things I never imaged I could do in college.”
Assistant Professor of Accounting Dr. Jooanne Choi said Avalos is ‘a quiet panther in the classroom, a motivating leader and mentor to fellow students on campus. I am proud of what (he has) accomplished at CSUB.”
Dr. Di Wu, chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance, credited Avalos for being a great role model for other students in the program.
“As the (department) extends its heartfelt farewell to its graduates of fall 2024, we proudly recognize Leonel for his exceptional leadership and academic excellence,” Dr. Wu said. “Serving as president of UAA, Leonel demonstrated unwavering dedication, serving his peers and fostering a collaborative spirit that significantly elevated the organization. His hard work, discipline and passion for the accounting profession have set a high standard, and we look forward to his future accomplishments.”