Tiffany Rose
Tiffany Rose is a seasoned accounting professional with approximately 20 years of experience in progressive financial and leadership roles. Her interest in accounting began early in life when she attended a magnet school for high-achieving students and was introduced to the field through an introductory accounting course in high school. From that point forward, she developed a clear passion for the discipline and pursued it academically and professionally. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she distinguished herself through strong academic performance and involvement in multiple honor societies.
Tiffany began her career as an Assistant Controller, a role she held for approximately 10 years while also gaining experience in accounts payable management and other accounting functions across various organizations. She later returned to the University of Alabama at Birmingham approximately 15 years after completing her undergraduate degree to earn her Master’s in Accounting while continuing to work full-time. Her professional background includes extensive experience in financial reporting, cash management, tax compliance, and multi-entity accounting. She also served in a long-term leadership role with Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, where she managed accounting responsibilities across a large multi-location operation.
Currently, Tiffany serves as Controller at Vulcan Mechanical Services, Inc., where she began as an Accounting Manager and was promoted to Controller in 2022. In this role, she oversees financial reporting, accounting operations, and cross-departmental coordination, while also supporting payroll and human resources functions. Her career has been shaped not only by professional advancement but also by personal resilience, including the loss of her mother and later her younger sister, after which she became the legal guardian of her sister’s three daughters. Throughout her journey, she has also navigated being the only woman and minority in many professional environments, remaining focused on growth, leadership, and excellence in her field. She is currently pursuing her CPA certification to further advance her expertise and credentials.
• CPA Candidate
• University of Alabama at Birmingham - MAcc
• University of Alabama at Birmingham - BS, Accounting
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
• Golden Key International Honor Society
• National Association of Black Accountants
• Youth Ministry at Church
• Women's Ministry at Church
• Children's Registration Desk at Church
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith, which has gotten me through so much. Even when I wasn't probably at church every single Sunday, the foundation my parents instilled in me from when I was a little girl has been what I fall back on when life challenges happen. That's really what's guided me through and kept me sane. It also comes down to having positive people around me who, when I do get a little down, like my sister or a friend or a coworker, they remind me that, hey, you know, you're doing really, really well, you're doing the best that you can do, you've gone a long way, just keep going. Having a positive circle around you that reminds you, hey, you're doing really good, you're better than you think you are, has been essential to my success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to use any setbacks or disappointments as fuel to keep pushing forward. When I was declined for a promotion by a supervisor because I didn't have certain educational credentials, I was upset about it, but I went home and told my sister, and I said, you know what, I'm gonna go back to school and get my master's degree so I can sit for the CPA exam. My sister asked me, why don't you do it? And I said, why don't I? That very day, I applied online for graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The lesson I learned is that life is gonna get in the way, but don't give up. It's never too late. There's always somebody who's out there who's done it, and if they can do it, you can too. You have to keep moving forward and never let obstacles define you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to young women entering this industry to use any setbacks or disappointments as fuel to keep pushing forward. If anything, don't give up. Life is gonna get in the way, but don't give up because it's never too late. There's always somebody out there who's done it, and if they can do it, you can too. I would also emphasize the importance of having supportive people in your circle who encourage you to keep going, especially when things get hard and you want to quit. Find mentors, colleagues, and friends who will remind you that you're doing really well and that you're better than you think you are. That positive circle around you is essential for navigating the challenges you'll face in this field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see in my field is the lack of diversity in leadership. When you go into meetings with higher executives, you're going to see more men than you do women, and you're going to see less minorities than you see of other races as well. The crazy part about it is that I've gotten used to being in these environments because I've done it for so long. I've been in these types of environments where I may have seen one or two women in really, really high roles, but most of these companies are dominated by males in those roles. Another significant challenge I see is the income gap. Even now, I still see it in the payroll where they're paying a male to do a job differently than they pay a female. I'm not saying that it's right, and I don't know why that is, but I definitely see that. However, this knowledge gives me perspective. If I were to leave this company and go into another position, I know what I could be making, and I know that I don't want to go below a certain level because I've seen them pay males in similar positions a certain amount, and I know I can get that amount too, or I feel like I should be able to get that amount.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life have shifted over time, and I'll be honest, I got lost in corporate America and got things out of order at one point. It used to be faith and then work, but life has changed my perspective on a lot of things, and I've shifted things back in the order that they should be. Faith is always number one. It's gotta be family next, and then work will come afterwards. My parents instilled in me from a little girl the importance of these core values, and when life challenges happen, you fall back on that foundation. I also strive to surround myself with positive people who have the same sound mind and who can remind me that I'm doing really well and to keep going. These values of faith, family, work, and having a supportive community guide everything I do.