Embrace opportunities, be nice and curious, consult with others

Hillary Salo (BSBA ’02, MAC ’03), vice chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, gave the keynote address when UNC Kenan-Flagler celebrated the graduation of the Master of Accounting Program Class of 2025 on June 20, 2025. Read a profile of Salo here.

Good afternoon distinguished faculty, proud family and friends, and, most importantly, our graduates. It’s truly an honor to be here today, not just as a speaker, but as someone who’s been in your shoes and knows what lies ahead. After over 20 years protecting the capital markets as an auditor, regulator and standard-setter, I can tell you that the path you’ve chosen is one of significant responsibility and incredible opportunity.

I remember being in your seat: eager, maybe a little uncertain, but full of ambition. And I can confidently say that the education you’ve received here, the values instilled in you as a Tar Heel, and the relationships you’ve built will serve as your foundation for everything to come. Today, we’re honoring not just the end of your journey here, but the beginning of all that’s next.

You’ve earned your Master of Accounting in a world that demands more from professionals than ever before. You didn’t just master debits and credits, auditing standards and the relentless joys of group projects, you’ve demonstrated commitment, discipline and the ability to think critically in a world where the answers depend on asking the right questions.

And while the future of accounting is moving fast – with advances in data, AI and automation – the core of what makes a great accountant hasn’t changed. It’s still about thinking critically, acting with integrity and being someone people can trust.

So, as you step into your next chapter, I want to share some advice. It’s not the kind you’ll find in textbooks, but the kind that travels quietly, from mentor to mentee, from partner to staff, from colleague to friend. Think of this as your real-world guide, because as you’ll soon discover, what matters most isn’t just what you know, but how you carry yourself in the moments that define your career.

Say yes.

Let me start with a lesson that I learned here at Carolina: Say yes to opportunities, especially the ones that intimidate you.

I will always be grateful I said yes when Professor Wayne Landsman asked if I’d consider applying for the post-graduate position at the Financial Accounting Standards Board while I was in the MAC Program.

Now, I’ll admit – somewhat sheepishly – that at the time, I didn’t know much about the FASB beyond the fact that it was a group of people that wrote GAAP. So, when Professor Landsman mentioned the opportunity, my honest response was, “So… this is a good thing, right?”

The short answer, as it turns out, was yes.

Saying yes to that opportunity changed the trajectory of my career. It opened my eyes to the broader accounting ecosystem, expanded my horizons and led to a career full of diverse and meaningful experiences. It’s a path that, more than 20 years later, led me to be appointed as vice chair of that same organization.

However, this path also gave me something even more valuable: a career I genuinely find fascinating and fulfilling.

So, as you head out into the world, I want to encourage you to say yes, especially to the opportunities that scare you a little. The ones that make you pause and think, “Am I really ready for this?” Because more often than not, you are. So don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. Take the leap. Say yes. Trust that you’ll figure it out along the way, because you will.

Be nice.

My second piece of advice is simple, but not always easy: Be nice. And when being nice feels out of reach, be professional.

The accounting world is very small and is built on relationships. The person sitting next to you today might be your client someday. A manager you work for next year could end up working for you. In one of many personal experiences, someone I worked with – on opposite sides of a tough issue while I was at the SEC – later became chair of the FASB and hired me.

What you say and how you treat people sticks with them. A good reputation will open doors. A careless word or action can close them.

So be someone others want to work with. Be nice when you can, respectful always and professional no matter what.

Consult with others.

My next piece of advice is to consult, consult, consult.

One thing I’ve come to really value is the importance of asking for advice and learning from those around you. No matter how skilled you become, your best ideas and smartest decisions often come from teaming up and hearing different perspectives. Whether it’s a trusted mentor, a teammate or, what I’d especially encourage, someone who sees things very differently than you, make the investment to consult with others.

Those discussions help you catch blind spots, avoid costly missteps and often uncover better solutions or opportunities you wouldn’t have found on your own. At the end of the day, it’s not just about what you know, it’s about how well you connect, listen and can grow with others. So, don’t underestimate the power of collaboration.

Respond with curiosity.

A related piece of advice is to “be curious, not furious.”

When you hear a perspective that’s different from your own, don’t just hear it – really listen. Just because something doesn’t immediately make sense to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit. Fight the urge to immediately jump in and explain why you disagree. Instead, try this: Ask a question or say, “Help me better understand that perspective.”

That one sentence can change everything. It shifts the conversation from conflict to curiosity. And even if it doesn’t change your mind, you’ll walk away better informed – and far better equipped to support your own point of view.

The same principle applies when it comes to receiving feedback – and trust me, in this profession, feedback will come at you constantly. Some of it will be helpful. Some might not seem fair. And some will take you completely by surprise. In those moments, you have a choice: You can react with frustration or respond with curiosity.

Take a breath. Pause. Ask a thoughtful question. That kind of response shows maturity. It builds trust. And more often than not, it leads to growth.

So, as you move forward, don’t just be confident in your voice: Stay open to others’ views. That’s how you’ll keep learning, keep evolving and keep rising.

Don’t avoid conflict.

We all try to avoid conflict because it’s uncomfortable. But if there’s a hard conversation that needs to happen – whether it’s with a teammate, a client or even with yourself – have it.

Clarity is key. Being honest about expectations, especially when things aren’t going as planned, helps everyone. Avoiding the issue or sugarcoating doesn’t help anyone. Being clear is being kind.

And here’s something else to keep in mind: You’re going to make mistakes. We all do. What matters most is what you do next. Don’t hide. Don’t shift the blame. Own it – quickly, honestly and with a solution in hand. Leadership is about taking accountability.

Mistakes won’t define your career, how you handle them will.

How to lead

And speaking of leadership, my last piece of advice relates to learning how to lead.

Every project you take on, every team you join, and every challenge and ethical dilemma you face are all teaching you something. So, pay attention.

Watch your managers. Notice who earns respect and who doesn’t. Observe how people lead when the pressure is on, how they give feedback, how they empower their teams, and how they build trust or break it. These everyday moments are more than just experiences: They’re lessons. They’re the blueprints you’ll draw on when it’s your turn to lead. And trust me, that day will come.

So take notes. Not just on what you admire, but also on what you’ll choose to do differently. The kind of leader you become will be shaped by the kind of learner you are, starting now.

So that’s all the advice I have time to share with you today. Class of 2025, congratulations once again! Your degree is just the start. How you choose to move forward will shape your legacy.

My suggestion is to stay kind. Stay curious. Work hard and be brave enough to grab the opportunities that come your way. Your story will be written one decision at a time, so make it a story you’re proud of.

You’re stepping into a profession with enormous influence and responsibility. We are the ones who champion transparency, uphold ethics and turn data into decisions.

But more than that, we are stewards of trust. When I look out into this room, I don’t just see future accountants – I see future leaders. So carry that responsibility with you. Lead with it and grow with it.

Congratulations again and from the bottom of my heart, welcome to the club!