Fall 2019 Officers:
Chris Perdio, President
Contact: saspresident.sdsu@gmail.com
Christopher is a is a fifth-year accounting major with a minor in management. Prior to becoming President of SAS, he served as Executive Vice President and Director of Communications. He has completed two tax seasons at Gatto, Pope, & Walwick , LLP. Career wise, Christopher hopes to attain his CPA and work in public accounting as an auditor.
As President, his duties include overseeing the organization and making sure the other Vice Presidents are able to fulfill their duties so weekly meetings and other events are able to happen without any hassles. Another duty is that the President will be organizing Meet the Firms for the Fall semester. The goal that Christopher would like for the semester is to be able to facilitate a meaningful and informative experience for his fellow accounting students. Christopher joined SAS back in the Fall of 2017 in anticipation for the recruitment cycle.
Outside of school, Christopher enjoys a variety of activities including working out, reading novels by Haruki Murakami, and watching the sun set in various places around San Diego. A fun fact about Christopher is that in high school, he was able to run a 4:45 mile.
Meghan Valdivia, Executive Vice President
Contact: saspreselect.sdsu@gmail.com
Meghan is in her third year at SDSU and will be finishing her undergraduate studies this coming Spring but plans on applying to the BMACC program for the 2020/21 school year in order to complete 150 units. After graduation, she plans to take the CPA exam and begin her career as a public accountant. Currently, she works part-time on-campus and is excited to be interning with EY this coming summer.
Meghan joined SAS in her first semester at SDSU and has since served as the VP of Finance, VP of Membership, Director of Membership, and Director of Professional Development. SAS has offered her numerous opportunities to grow both personally and professionally and she hopes to help others do the same. As Executive Vice President, Meghan is in charge of leading current programs like Peer Mentor and Mock Interviews as well as implementing new programs and supporting other officers. Her goal for this semester is to help guide and support SAS members as they navigate their way through recruiting while also building new and maintaining old interpersonal relationships with fellow members.
In her free time, Meghan enjoys spending time with friends and family, catching up on her favorite television shows, and rock climbing. However, she is always open to trying something new and welcomes any and all suggestions.
Renee Hobson, Vice President of Membership
Contact: sasmembership.sdsu@gmail.com
Renee Hobson is a fourth-year Accounting major. Renee plans on pursuing the San Diego State University BMACC program in fall 2020. Renee’s ultimate career goal is to become CPA certified and work for a public accounting firm. Renee would like to learn more about accounting for non-profits during her academic and professional career.
Renee has been an active Student Accounting Society member since the fall of 2018. Renee has served as a Professional Development Committee Member and a Director of Membership during her time with Student Accounting Society. As the Vice President of Membership for the fall of 2019, Renee’s primary goal is to meet new SAS members at San Diego State University and welcome them into the group. Renee’s secondary goal is to assist SAS members in achieving active status in the organization.
Outside of school, Renee enjoys traveling around the country to new and interesting locations. Renee also enjoys cooking from scratch. Her favorite food is sushi!
Cameron Bronner, Vice President of Finance
Contact: sasfinance.sdsu@gmail.com
Cameron Bronner is a fifth year at SDSU pursuing his bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in finance. In addition to being part of SAS he is currently working on campus as a Business ISA this semester. When he graduates in Spring 2020, he hopes to join an accounting firm as an auditor and work towards earning his CPA license.
Cameron became involved in SAS during the Fall 2018 semester after being brought to a meeting by his friend, and current President, Christopher Perdio. After attending the first meeting he continued to be involved with the organization and attended MTF (Meet the Firms) and nearly all social events held that semester. As the VP of Finance, Cameron’s role is to keep track of SAS’s finances to ensure that the organization is financially secure and is responsible with its money. One of Cameron’s goals as an officer this semester is to ensure the organization ends Fall 2019 financially successful and has earned enough income to allow the organization to prosper in Spring 2020.
Outside of school, Cameron enjoys trying out new food spots around San Diego with his girlfriend and friends. Cameron’s favorite food is ramen and he strongly believes Menya Ultra is the best place to get ramen in San Diego.
Michael Liu, Vice President of Internal Audit
Contact: sasvpreporting.sdsu@gmail.com
Michael Liu is a fourth-year accounting student who plans to pursue the BMACC program with a focus in Accounting Information Systems. After graduation, he plans to obtain his CPA license and work as a public accountant.
Michael first got involved with SAS during his junior year. He learned about SAS at the accounting orientation and decided to join after attending the first meeting. As VP of Internal Audit, his responsibilities are to prepare weekly meeting minutes, record cash flows, handle non credit transactions, and most importantly, lead the internal audit committee. This year, his goal is to work with the other officers to establish a method to collect member feedback.
Outside of school, Michael likes to try different boba stores and play pool. Fun Fact: His favorite food is poke, specifically from Poki One n Half.
Yuan Chen, Vice President of Activities
Contact: sasvpactivities.sdsu@gmail.com
Yuan Chen is a fifth year at SDSU in the BMACC program with an emphasis in Financial Reporting, and she has finished all bachelor classes. Yuan is currently a GA of Acctg 331 this semester. After she graduates, she aims to be an auditor.
Yuan joined SAS for two semesters, and first found out about SAS during her junior year.
She will serve as VP of activities for Fall 2019, and is also an international student, so her goal is to attract more international students and organize more fun activities in this semester. She hopes all members can join in our activities with passion.
Yuan enjoys doing sports and traveling outside of school. She usually go hiking with her friends
during weekend. Whenever there is a longer holiday, she’ll go travel, and she likes to learn
About different cultures and taste different cuisines and loves food, especially BBQ meat.
Faith Goh, Vice President of Communications
Contact: sascommunications.sdsu@gmail.com
Faith Goh is a second-year majoring in Accounting with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is currently involved on campus through several student organizations such as Student Accounting Society, Students Against Human Trafficking where she served as treasurer and graphics officer, and Brightside Produce, a nonprofit dedicated to ending food insecurity, where she interns. After graduation, she plans to work at a public accounting firm that values a work-life balance, and her long-term career goal is to work preferably in the nonprofit sector.
Faith became involved with SAS the fall semester of her freshman year, and joined the Internal Audit Committee and the Mock Interview Committee. This is her first semester serving on board, and she is honored to do so. Her goals as VP of Communications is placing a heavy emphasis on getting feedback from SAS members about how the organization can be improved, using more social media outlets such as LinkedIn, and advertising SAS to more students on and off campus.
Outside of school, Faith enjoys listening to music, reading fantasy novels, eating food (obviously), dreaming about her future dog, and she has recently taken up the hobby of ice skating. Her favorite food is anything spicy. And also instant noodles.
Andrew Forsythe, Vice President of Professional Development
Contact: sasprofdev.sdsu@gmail.com
He is a 3rd year Accounting major that has been in SAS since the Fall of 2018. SAS is the only organization that he is a part of on campus, however for 1 month he was on the Crew team for SDSU (and promptly quit after the distaste of 4am practices at Mission Bay). Other than that, he is a barista at Starbucks and is coming up on his 3rd year of working there. After college, he plans to work in assurance at Ernst & Young.
He got involved with SAS after taking ACCTG201 his freshman year and doing pretty well. After talking with one of the former presidents that laid out his track for recruitment and how to get involved, he joined immediately the following year and has thoroughly enjoyed the members and the opportunities. As VP of Professional Development, Andrew is the main source of communication between the firms and the organization. He plans who will present the meeting, the topic they will present on, what food will be provided, and other little logistics. This upcoming semester, in addition to his duties he would like to gather member input on different restaurants they would like to see catered for the meetings and to keep this system in place for future officers.
Outside of school Andrew is very big into gaming and surfing with his friends. If he’s not at home nor at the beach, you might be able to spot him at your local Starbucks either working or just jamming away to some music as he does other work. His favorite meal of all time is a Filet Mignon cooked medium with a side of garlic mashed potatoes, cucumbers, and tempura-fried shrimp.
Spring 2019 Officers
Top row, left to right: Andrew Forsythe, Amanda Curé, Meghan Valdivia, Ximena Campos, and Jadene Juanitas.
Bottom row, left to right: Chris Perdio, Amber Ho, and Cameron Bronner.
Amber Ho, President
Amber is currently in her 4th year but she will be graduating the BMACC program with the Accounting Information Systems track this May. She is currently an intern at San Diego Gas & Electric, but she will be working with Deloitte Consulting in Los Angeles next Fall. She hopes to learn how to be an awesome consultant that can help companies with any problems they have!
She first got involved in SAS two years ago and immediately wanted to get more involved. She joined the Internal Audit Committee and loved that through this, she got to know an incredible amount about the club and how it runs. She is very excited to serve as SAS’s President this semester. She hopes that the club will help students further their career and that she can answer any questions they might have.
Outside of school, she loves to play musical instruments, with the ukulele being her favorite. She also uses any free time to hang out with her friends and catch up on tv shows or movies she has missed out on.
Chris Perdio, Executive Vice President
Chris is currently in his fourth year at San Diego State University. He plans to get his 150 units needed in order to sit for the CPA exam before he graduates. Chris has previous work experience as a Tax Intern at Gatto, Pope, & Walwick, LLP last tax season and is with the firm again for this year’s tax season. After graduating from San Diego State, Chris hopes to join an industry firm and be part of their accounting department there or get into audit at a small to mid-sized public firm.
Chris joined the Student Accounting Society in the Fall of 2017 at the advice of his older brother. His older brother not only suggested that he join the organization, but was the one to suggest majoring in accounting as well! After opening up so many doors to his career, Chris was motivated to run as Executive Vice President to help give back to the organization, as well as getting encouraged from his fellow accounting friends. As Executive Vice President, Chris is in charge of implementing new programs for the organization such as the Peer Mentor Program or helping out with Padfolio checkouts. Chris hopes to help foster professionalism in his fellow accounting students as well as guide them to success in their careers.
Outside of class, Chris enjoys a wide variety of activities such as: working out, playing video games, reading, finding new music, and catching the best sunsets in San Diego. If you’d like to know more, he would always appreciate meeting and talking to everyone else within SAS!
Andrew Forsythe, Vice President of Membership
Andrew is in his 2nd year at SDSU and will be starting his upper division courses in Spring 2019 for his major in Accounting. Wanting to go to med school, he spent 2 years in high school volunteering at the UCSD medical center in Hillcrest. Since then, he has been a partner at Starbucks for 2.5 years and wishes to retire from that job once he becomes eligible for internship opportunities for the Accounting firms. In the upcoming summer he plans to attend various Leadership programs for the firms. In the far future, he aspires to climb up the ladders of private companies to hopefully become a CEO one day.
Andrew got involved in SAS in the Fall of 2018 after being motivated from the previous Spring 2018 SAS officer, David Yanke, and since then has valued his time. Becoming an officer was something he felt would be out of his comfort-zone at first, but he surprised himself when he decided to run anyways. He plans to use his 2nd year status as a model for all members, especially younger ones, so they can see the value that he did and for them to step out of their comfort-zones too. He encourages everyone to come meet him and the other officers because they all are nerdy accountants at heart and wish to help all members embrace it (otherwise they wouldn’t be officers). Being the VP of membership, he oversees all membership inquiries, disputes, advertises SAS to non-members, and makes sure all membership cards and brochures are in-check and up to date.
In Andrew’s free time he loves surfing, gaming/hanging out with his friends, working at his job, meeting new people, playing with his dogs, and exploring his beautiful home town of San Diego. But to truly get to know him better, come up to him at meetings and he would absolutely love to get to know you too.
Meghan Valdivia, Vice President of Finance
Meghan is in her second year at SDSU and will be starting her upper division coursework this semester in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, she plans to take the CPA exam and begin her career as a public accountant. Currently, she works part-time at Nordstrom Rack but plans on gaining career-oriented experience by participating in summer leadership programs and securing an internship with a public accounting firm.
Meghan joined SAS in her first semester at SDSU and has since served as the VP of Membership, Director of Membership, and Director of Professional Development. SAS has offered her numerous opportunities to grow both personally and professionally and she hopes that other young accounting majors follow her lead. As the VP of Finance, she will maintain records of the organization’s financials and manage the organization according to a budget. Her goal for this semester is to gain a better understanding of the financial inner workings of SAS while also building new and maintaining old interpersonal relationships with fellow members.
In her free time, Meghan enjoys spending time with friends and family, catching up on her favorite television shows, and rock climbing. However, she is always open to trying something new and welcomes any and all suggestions.
Amanda Curé, Vice President of Internal Audit
Amanda is currently a third year student at SDSU pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy. After graduation she plans to continue her studies through the BMACC program, specializing in Taxation, then taking the CPA exam and entering into public accounting. She works as a tutor for financial accounting and plans to participate in summer leadership programs later this year.
Amanda got involved in Student Accounting Society in Spring of 2018, completely directionless after changing her major just a couple months prior. The organization was what truly kept her in the field of study after talking to students, officers, and various staff presenters at the weekly meetings. Becoming an officer was, in a way, giving back what she had received from the organization so far. While serving as the VP of Internal Audit, she will supervise and guide the Internal Audit Committee, manage cash transactions, write meeting minutes, and compose weekly PowerPoint slides. During her time on the executive board she aspires to provide greater judgement on organizational improvement and cultivate close relationships with her fellow officers and members.
In her spare time, Amanda likes to explore the forests of California, go on camping trips, care for animals, write, and practice Kundalini yoga. She encourages anyone to come say hi or have a chat any time!
Cameron Bronner, Vice President of Activities
Cameron Bronner is currently a 4th year student at SDSU. He plans on getting 150 units to be CPA eligible when he graduates in May 2020. He has prior experience working at Target and Chipotle. Upon graduation he hopes to get his CPA license and join a mid-size accounting firm.
Cameron joined Student Accounting Society in Fall 2018, mostly due to the urging of his friend and fellow board member, Executive Vice President, Chris Perdio. After joining SAS and meeting many of its members through social events, he wanted to try and give back to the organization. As VP of Activities, Cameron is excited to host social events for SAS to meet more members and form new friendships. Cameron’s main goal is to provide a valuable and memorable experience to all members who attend any event this Spring.
In his free time, Cameron enjoys spending quality time with his friends, trying out new restaurants and foods, and learning about graphic design.
Jadene Juanitas, Vice President of Communications
Jadene is currently a fifth year pursuing a Bachelors’ of Science in Business Administration, emphasis in Accountancy. She intends to use her double minor in Management and Information Systems to earn the 150 units needed to sit for the CPA exams. Upon graduation, she plans to prepare for the CPA exams and start a career in IT Audit.
Jadene first joined Student Accounting Society in Fall 2017, and has been an active member since then. She served as the Director of Internal Audit and Vice President of Internal Audit. In the time that she has been a member, Jadene feels that her contributions have made a difference in the organization and hopes to continue to do so as the Vice President of Communications. Jadene’s duties include maintaining the SAS website, updating social media accounts, sending out newsletters, and coordinating LinkedIn photoshoots. Her main goal in this position is to make sure that the SAS website has everything important regarding Student Accounting Society. On the website, viewers will be able to find important deadlines and links to useful resources.
On her free time, Jadene’s hobbies include photography, community service, and graphic design.
Ximena Campos, Vice President of Professional Development
Ximena is currently in her third year of her Accounting Bachelors, as well as her French and Honors Interdisciplinary Minors. She is planning on pursuing the BMACC program with the AIS specialization, in order to reach the requirements for the CPA license. After graduating in 2021, she plans on working for a public accounting firm and after a few years enrolling in an MBA program.
Ximena has been part of SAS since her freshman year of college, and finally decided to run for a position after she felt confident enough with the knowledge she had gained from all the semesters as a member. She was excited to finally contribute back to the club that had guided her for so long, and to now be behind the scenes and be able to help out other members. As the VP of Professional Development, Ximena is the main point of contact between the firms and the organization in order to schedule the semester’s meetings. Also, she arranges the catering for every meeting in order to provide enough variety for every member. Her goals for this semester are to reach out to members and be able to listen to their feedback regarding any matter, and to have the presentations provide meaningful and valuable knowledge to everyone.
During her free time, Ximena enjoys dancing, as she is part of a dance team, working out, yoga, painting, reading, and hanging out with the people close to her.
Fall 2018 Officers
Left to right: Lani Woods, Drew Wheeler, Jadene Juanitas, Yolanda Songvilay, Amber Ho, Meghan Valdivia, Julia Mobasser, and Kathie Tu.
Yolanda Songvilay, President
Yolanda Songvilay is currently a 5th year student at SDSU. She plans on getting 150 units before graduation in order to get her CPA license. During Spring 2018 and Summer 2018, she was a tax intern at Quantax and is currently a student assistant for the Office of Faculty Advancement at SDSU. Upon graduation, she hopes to begin her career with a mid-size or local CPA firm.
Yolanda joined Student Accounting Society in Fall 2016 and has been actively involved ever since. She has served as Director of Internal Audit, VP of Internal Audit, Director of Activities, and Executive Vice President. She has also been part of the Internal Audit Committee, the Welcome Committee, and the Professional Development Committee. Ever since Fall 2017, she has been the graphic designer for SAS. SAS has provided Yolanda with countless opportunities, allowing her to grow academically, personally, and professionally. She hopes other students realize that SAS provides many benefits and she encourages everyone to join.
As President, Yolanda’s duties include organizing Meet the Firms for Fall 2018 and managing the organization. She also helps officers implement new ideas and keeps SAS connected to various departments at SDSU. This semester, she hopes to make SAS a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students. Her goal is to provide students with all the tools and resources they need to succeed in the accounting major.
In her free time, Yolanda likes to do hip hop dance, calligraphy, and hike.
Amber Ho, Executive Vice President
Amber is currently in her fourth and final year at SDSU pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accountancy through the BMACC program. She is specializing in the Accounting Information Systems track as she thought it was the perfect blend of Accounting and Information Technology!
Amber is also currently involved in a community service organization known as Alpha Phi Omega and is working part-time through an extension of her summer internship with San Diego Gas & Electric. In her free time, Amber enjoys spending time with friends, volunteering, watching movies and television shows, and playing musical instruments such as the ukulele.
Meghan Valdivia is in her second year at SDSU pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy and hopes to, eventually, enroll in the BMACC program. After graduation, she plans to take the CPA exam and start her career at a public accounting firm.
Meghan joined SAS in her first semester at SDSU and has served as the Director of Membership as well as the Director of Professional Development. SAS has offered her numerous opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. So far, she has attended EY’s freshman conference in Los Angeles which gave her a better understanding of her career choice and insight into the many possibilities for the future.
As the Vice President of Membership, Meghan tracks membership points and weekly attendance on the membership scoreboard and produces event materials.
In her free time, Meghan enjoys spending time with friends and family, catching up on her favorite television shows, and rock climbing.
Lani Woods, Vice President of Finance
Lani is currently in her senior year at SDSU pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy and hopes to also pursue her Masters degree through the BMACC program next year. Once she graduates, she plans to sit for the CPA exam and enter into a career in public accounting.
Lani joined the Student Accounting Society in the Fall of 2017, where she has loved every experience and opportunity this organization has provided her with ever since. She was excited about becoming actively involved and meeting more members, so she served as the Director of Finance in Spring 2018. Her involvement in SAS has inspired her to be on the executive board so that she can give back to this extremely rewarding organization for all the countless opportunities, friends and information it has provided her with at meetings and all sorts of events.
Serving as the VP of Finance for SAS this semester will enable Lani to not only grow personally, professionally and academically but also enable her to get to know many more members, while being an effective resource for them. Lani’s duties include creating the SAS budget, recording all transactions that occur throughout the organization, tracking apparel sales and working alongside other officers to ensure all finances are appropriate. Her goal this semester is to learn as much as possible, while keeping track of all the money going in and out of this organization so that SAS can be very efficient and cost-effective for all members.
In her free time, Lani enjoys dancing, going to the beach, traveling, hanging out with friends and family, going on adventures/road trips and staying active.
Jadene Juanitas, Vice President of Internal Audit
Jadene Juanitas is a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting with minors in Management and Information Systems. She will be CPA eligible when she graduates May 2019. Upon graduation, she will begin preparing for the CPA examinations.
Jadene has been an active member of the Student Accounting Society since the Fall of 2017. She became one of SAS’s Outstanding Members in the Spring of 2018 while she was involved in the Internal Audit Committee as Director of Internal Audit. Being the Director of Internal Audit allowed her to gain a great amount of knowledge of how the organization is run, which in turn gave her the motivation to run for an executive position.
As the VP of Internal Audit, Jadene’s duties consist of leading the Internal Audit Committee, writing meeting minutes, preparing meeting slides, handling cash transactions and managing the cash flow. The role of internal audit is essential in finding weakness within the organization and mitigating those risks. Jadene hopes to use what she has learned to improve the organization to better serve its members.
In her free time, Jadene enjoys relaxing nature walks and spontaneous trips to Disneyland.
Julia Mobasser is currently a third year accounting major at SDSU and planning to minor in economics as well. Julia joined SAS as a sophomore in order to learn about the recruiting process and attend networking events like Meet the Firms. This past tax season, Julia volunteered for VITA, an IRS sponsored program that offers free tax
return assistance to low-income families. Julia has an internship with PwC next summer, and plans on graduating with a 150 units in order to take the CPA exam before hopefully working for a public accounting firm.
major.
Kathie Tu, Vice President of Communications
Kathie Tu is currently in her last year at SDSU pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Once she graduates, she plans on studying for the CPA exam. She plans on working for Grant Thornton in the Fall 2019.
As Vice President of Communications, Kathie’s duties include sending out weekly emails to the members of SAS, maintaining the SAS website, and updating SAS’s social media platforms. The role of VP of Communications is crucial in informing SAS’s members of accounting and non-accounting opportunities.
In her free time, Kathie enjoys relaxing at the beach with friends, watching Netflix, and discovering new restaurants.
Drew Wheeler, Vice Presidentof Professional Development
Drew Wheeler is currently in his fourth year at SDSU pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy. He plans on applying for the BMACC program this semester. Once he graduates, Drew plans to sit for the CPA exam and then begin a career at EY, where he is interning during the Summer of 2019.
Drew joined Student Accounting Society his first semester at SDSU in order to learn more about the recruiting timeline and network with accounting professionals. He first got involved as a member of the Internal Audit Committee and helped find weaknesses within SAS. In the following semester, he took on more responsibility and served as the Director for the President Elect. In his role as Director, Drew assisted in bringing back and maintaining the Interview Mentor Program.
As the Vice President of Professional Development, Drew’s duties include being the point of contact for the firms that attend, arranging the catering provided at the presentations, and creating/ maintaining the schedule for the semester. In his time as a member of SAS, Drew has learned that the recruiting process can be quite confusing and hopes to provide members with all the necessary information they need through the presentations scheduled.
In his free time, Drew enjoys going to the movies, hanging out with his friends, and heading to the beach.
Spring 2018 Officers
Top row, left to right: Justin Hasting (Finance), Alex Purcell (Activities), Drew Wheeler (Professional Development), and David Yanke (President).
Bottom row, left to right: Yolanda Songvilay (President Elect), Simone Leibowitz (Membership), Catherine Fire (Internal Audit), and Amber Ho (Communications).
Fall 2017 Officers
Top row, left to right: Sharona Tolu (Communications), Beth Salinas (President), Brittany Herr (Professional Development), Simone Leibowitz (Membership), and Samara Shinsato (Internal Audit).
Bottom row, left to right: Alex Purcell (Activities), David Yanke (President Elect), and Stephen Linn (Finance).