Nick’s family has a several-generation legacy at Shepherd with his grandparents, mom, aunts, uncles, and cousins having attended Shepherd over the years. Nick decided to pursue public accounting after attending a training for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Farm Business Management contest in high school, presented by Shepherd alumna, Catherine Vickers. After reading about how highly regarded the accounting program is, and how many successful certified public accountants (CPAs) it produces, Nick’s decision to enroll at Shepherd was a no-brainer.
Nick credits his success to Dr. Cindy Vance, professor of accounting and fellow Shepherd alum, for her dedication to her students and the program. Her dedication is “a great part of my success on the CPA exam and in my profession,” said Nick.
Nick started interning at Smith, Elliott, and Kerns CPAs (SEK, CPAs) in Hagerstown, Maryland in 2021. After graduating, he took on a full-time position as a staff associate with SEK the day after graduation in 2022. Several months later, Nick was promoted to senior associate; his role is to assist in serving clients from sole proprietors to large multi-state corporations by providing tax accounting and consulting services.
While working full-time, Nick was able to pass the fourth and final part of the CPA exam in September 2023. His score was the highest of any successful candidate in West Virginia in 2023, which earned him the West Virginia Society of CPAs Merit Award. He will be honored at an awards dinner in Charleston later this month.
In addition to being a full-time CPA, Nick and his brother own and operate a landscaping and small engine repair business, Chapman Bros Landscaping LLC, and NC Farm Management LLC. When he has spare time, Nick enjoys working outside and on small equipment and being with friends, family, and his fiancé Emmee. They all attend Connections Community Church in Inwood, West Virginia, and Nick serves as a rotating church pianist for several churches around Jefferson and Berkeley counties.
The Shepherd University Alumni Association would like to congratulate Nick for his great accomplishments and for earning the Merit Award from the West Virginia Society of CPAs. Shepherd Student Succeed!