What advice do you have for current students considering a career in accounting? 

Accounting is an exciting career and plays a significant role in the capital markets.  For example, in my role as an audit partner, we give confidence to stakeholders of a business (i.e. investors, customers, regulators, etc.) that the business is stable and well-run. To be able to do so, we need to understand the business - how they are run, how they identify and manage risks and how they present themselves in the marketplace.  Understanding accounting is only one element of that, other skills such as strong business acumen, interpersonal skills, writing and knowledge of IT systems, are equally important. Consequently, it is important that students focus on their core accounting classes but also develop those other skills for a successful career in accounting.

What advice do you have for someone getting ready to take the CPA exam? 
The exam is not easy and requires a lot of preparation.  Make sure you have a plan and allow sufficient time to study.  Getting certified is very important, and I highly recommend to get it done as soon as you can.