Her Story
About Taite
Taite Ranker is a college student who has recently completed her sophomore year at Piedmont University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is on a focused academic path toward becoming a forensic accountant, with aspirations of specializing in fraud investigations and financial crime analysis. Motivated by her passion for numbers, problem-solving, and helping others, Taite is especially drawn to the growing need for qualified accounting professionals in a field impacted by a shortage of CPAs and increasing financial fraud cases.
In addition to her academic work, Taite is actively involved in several honor societies that recognize leadership and academic excellence, including the National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Alpha Chi, where she is distinguished among the top 10 percent of students in her class. She also serves as a student success center office assistant at her university, supporting campus operations and contributing to a welcoming and organized learning environment. Her academic and extracurricular involvement reflects both her strong work ethic and her commitment to personal and professional growth.
Outside of the classroom, Taite is known for her kindness and community-minded spirit. She has been invited to an internship opportunity in Gainesville, Georgia, with her grandparents’ accountant and has established professional connections through her university that may lead to further development opportunities. In her free time, she enjoys spreading encouragement through handwritten cards and participating in social and game-based events as a way to manage stress and connect with others. Guided by values of kindness, perseverance, and continuous learning, she strives to grow into a career that blends technical expertise with meaningful service to others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Taite
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistently striving to do as much good as possible in my work, seeking support when needed, and learning from my mistakes. I have also relied on perseverance to push through challenges and continue growing both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from campus career services, which encouraged me not to overwhelm myself. I was advised to take things one step at a time, remain open to feedback, and view mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth. I also got accounting-specific advice from the campus CFO that has been very helpful and impactful, such as to not stop going for the CPA certification.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to support others while also being willing to ask for help when needed. It is important to understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, and the key is to learn from them and continue moving forward step by step.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the increasing prevalence of fraud, which requires more specialized investigative expertise. At the same time, there is a notable shortage of CPAs, which presents a strong opportunity for those entering forensic accounting to make a meaningful impact and build in-demand careers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are helping others, practicing kindness, remaining open to feedback, maintaining humility about mistakes, and demonstrating steady perseverance in everything I do.
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