Transitioning from military service to business leadership

When Brad Bertinot (MBA ’14, MAC ’16) returned to the Dean E. Smith Center to deliver the keynote address at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Master of Accounting (MAC) Program’s 2025 fall commencement ceremony, he marked a full-circle moment.

Ten years previously, he was one of the class of MAC graduates who studied in the new online format sitting in the Smith Center. Looking at the newest class of MAC graduates, he reflected on how the lessons, values and relationships he gained at UNC Kenan-Flagler helped shape not only his career, but his approach to leadership.

A decorated U.S. Army veteran, Bertinot served for 20 years as an attack helicopter pilot, completing three combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea. His military career taught him resilience, adaptability and the power of teamwork — skills that became the foundation of his success in business.

“The Army definitely put me in a lot of difficult situations that I was forced to ‘figure out’ and lead ever-changing teams,” he says. “That helped me to develop a flexible and resilient leadership style.

Embracing online education

He was an early adopter in embracing online education. While serving in the military, he earned his MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler in the online MBA@UNC program when it was just a few years old. One of his most memorable classes was taught by Professor Doug Shackelford, whose humor and authenticity made complex financial ideas engaging.

“He broke the mold just enough with his folksy Carolina humor that it made the Tax and Accounting course fun,” Bertinot said. “It was that class that gave me the idea that ‘I could do that after the Army.’”

As he approached retirement from the military, Bertinot began exploring next steps and learned that he needed additional coursework to sit for the CPA exam. He reached back out to UNC Kenan-Flagler for guidance and discovered a new opportunity — the launch of the online format of the MAC Program.

“In 2015, that was a bold move,” he told graduates. “It was a risk for a top-tier school to offer an online program. But because UNC Kenan-Flagler continues to push boundaries through innovation and courage, they’re able to provide a high-quality education to students regardless of geography.”

Bertinot was one of the original 12 students when the program launched and they affectionately referred to themselves as “The Dirty Dozen.” He credits the MAC Program’s faculty, especially Tamara Barringer and Tanja Snively, with preparing him to transition smoothly from the military to accounting.

“I can say without hesitation that the education and mentorship I received from the UNC MAC Program prepared me not only to pass the CPA exam, but to excel in my career,” he said.

After completing the program, Bertinot began his civilian career at Deloitte in Washington, D.C., where he worked in private wealth consulting. There he strengthened his technical expertise and his understanding of the financial complexities of businesses.

That experience, combined with his leadership skills and the Tar Heel network, led him back to North Carolina to join ETON Solutions, a fintech startup, as director of client experience. There, he led teams focused on building relationships with clients and improving financial software tools.

“It wasn’t a traditional CPA role,” he said, “and that’s the beauty of the MAC degree — it opens doors beyond traditional accounting.”

The Tar Heel standard

Today, Bertinot serves as the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Freeburn Law, a regional law firm in Pennsylvania. He credits his continued success to the integrity, accountability and service to others he developed in the military and at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

“I have a sense of duty to live up to the Tar Heel standard,” he reflected. “I still have the values and ethics instilled by UNC Kenan-Flagler that constantly guide my decisions. It usually embodies the voice of Professor Barringer. That ethical standard, combined with the sense of family at UNC Kenan-Flagler, has stayed with me and comes through in my leadership style.”

That sense of family extends far beyond graduation. As a member of the MAC Alumni Council, Bertinot remains an active part of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.

“As a member of the Tar Heel family, I eagerly want to give back to a place that has given me so much,” he said. “I am grateful for the professors and alumni who contributed to my education and experience, and I want to continue that tradition by giving back what I can. Every time I come back, I’m energized and excited to see old friends and meet the new students.”

During his commencement address, Bertinot reminded graduates that accounting is not only a technical profession but a moral one. “Accounting might be the language of business,” he said, “but accountants are the moral compass of business. Bring forth the moral and ethical principles you’ve learned here into your recommendations and decisions. That will ensure you protect the integrity of the system.”

His closing message to the Class of 2025 moved beyond professional advice to a call to live with gratitude and purpose.

“Find something greater than yourself that brings you joy and gives meaning to your life,” he told them. “Climbing corporate ladders or achieving higher salaries won’t give you peace and happiness. Be present in every moment of every day. Take the time to love your family.”