Her Story
About Halli
Halli Preston serves as the Accounting and Finance Manager at Commerce Bank, providing financial expertise and leadership across the bank’s day-to-day operations — including financial and loan portfolio reporting, regulatory and tax compliance, financial analysis, fixed asset system management, and internal audit and compliance activities. She works closely with the CFO to establish and maintain accounting control procedures.
Preston began her career in accounting and finance upon graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2021. She initially pursued engineering, but a project costing class redirected her toward accounting and finance. Her professional journey includes roles in public accounting and small business accounting prior to joining the bank. Preston completed her Master of Accounting degree in December 2023 through a virtual program at the University of North Dakota while working full time, and she is currently pursuing her CPA certification.
She attributes her success to hard work, a value instilled early on watching her mother’s strong work ethic. Preston is a dedicated team player, always willing to lend a hand wherever it’s needed — a mindset she carries into mentoring as well, leading a weekly small group for high school girls. Outside of her professional role, she volunteers with Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest (RAGOM), a golden retriever rescue organization.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Halli
01What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work is at the core of it — a value instilled early on, watching my mom’s tireless work ethic growing up. That example shaped how I approach everything, from switching career paths after realizing engineering wasn’t the right fit, to putting in the work to earn my master’s degree while working full time and pursue my CPA. It’s the same mindset I bring to being a team player — showing up, doing the work, and lending a hand wherever it’s needed.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t be afraid to pivot if you find something that fits better — I started out in engineering and only found my path in accounting and finance after one class shifted my perspective. Stay curious, be willing to put in the work, and don’t underestimate the value of being a team player; showing up and helping wherever you’re needed builds trust and opens doors faster than trying to do it all on your own. And know that this is a great time to be entering the field — there’s real room to grow.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI is changing the tools we use, but there will always be a need for real people in accounting and finance — judgment, compliance oversight, and client relationships aren’t things AI can replace. If anything, this is one of the best times to enter the field: a huge wave of CPAs is nearing retirement, and that’s opening doors for the next generation faster than the pipeline can fill them.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being a team player is at the core of how I show up, both at work and outside of it — always willing to jump in and lend a hand wherever it’s needed. At work, that means supporting colleagues across projects, not just staying in my own lane. Outside of work, it shows up in how I invest in mentoring — I lead a weekly small group for high school girls, where showing up consistently and being willing to help however it’s needed matters just as much as it does on the job.
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