Her Story
About Autumn
Autumn Reed is an accounting professional based in Buffalo, New York, currently serving as an Operational Accounting Associate III at M&T Bank. In her role, she supports centralized banking operations by processing U.S. savings bond redemptions, maintaining accurate financial records, resolving documentation issues, and performing audit-related tasks. Her work requires strong attention to detail, confidentiality, accuracy, and compliance when handling sensitive financial information.
Alongside her professional career, Autumn is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting at Bryant & Stratton College, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition. She is developing her expertise in accounting principles, Excel, QuickBooks, financial record keeping, and data analysis, while planning to continue her education with a bachelor’s degree and additional training in data analytics. Her long-term career interests include auditing, internal controls, fraud prevention, forensic accounting, and financial reporting.
Autumn is also committed to professional development, leadership, and continuous improvement. Through M&T Bank, she has participated in initiatives focused on agile practices, process improvement, employee engagement, and leadership development, including the Town Hall Committee and Women’s Leadership Network. She has also volunteered in community events and actively seeks opportunities to strengthen her communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. With aspirations of earning CPA and CIA or fraud-related credentials, Autumn is building a career grounded in accounting expertise, integrity, continuous learning, and a commitment to professional growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Autumn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my supportive family. Their encouragement motivated me to return to school, clarify my professional goals, and pursue a new career. Their support gave me the confidence and motivation to take initiative, overcome challenges, and continue moving forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that everyone has their own timeline and pace. I used to worry that I was behind because I took time to figure out what I wanted to pursue, but my work experiences helped me discover my interests and find the right direction. I’ve learned that my journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, and taking the time to find work I love and continue growing has been worth it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering accounting is to pursue something you genuinely enjoy and stay committed, even when the process becomes challenging. Building a successful career takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning. If you enjoy what you do, don’t give up when things get difficult.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in accounting is the wide range of career paths available. However, specialized areas such as internal auditing, fraud, and forensic accounting can have fewer entry-level opportunities depending on geographic location. This makes it important to remain flexible, continue developing specialized skills, and explore different opportunities within the field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is one of the most important values in both my professional and personal life. To me, integrity means being honest, working hard, taking responsibility, and being willing to admit when I make a mistake. I believe it is always better to acknowledge an error, ask for help, correct it, and learn from the experience rather than hide it and allow the problem to become worse.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.