From Retail Sales to Overseeing Payroll at an Accounting Firm

Much of Melissa Ward’s worklife centered around business activities—sales associate, assistant manager and general manager—at various retail shops in Texas and Colorado.  As she moved through her career path, each of these roles informed Melissa’s business knowledge and introduced her to the need for some very early accounting skills.

“I did minimal payroll, lots of inventory counts, handled all hiring, disciplinary action and training for the employees at my specific locations where I was the manager,” she says.

“I had some of the highest sales on record of the corporation and I ensured that my entire team did, as well. That required scrutinizing all reports sent from district managers to see where my staff and I needed to improve across all metrics.”  

Melissa’s career in business management continued to grow to district manager-level when she moved to Colorado for two years. After she relocated back to Texas, the COVID pandemic hit.

In June 2020, she began working for Andrea M Ward CPA, first as a bookkeeping specialist.

“I started the accounting certificate in January 2021.”  

Career Pivot to Accounting

Her transition into accounting was based on more than just a thirst to understand “the numbers.” She was motivated by the family business aspect and wanted to help a legacy continue.  

But Melissa also knew that meant she needed a solid program where she could expand her financial management skills. She says her husband did significant research in accounting programs and saw that our certificate in accounting stood out.

Less than a year after starting our certificate, Melissa was the family firm’s accounting team lead. Six months later, she became the staff’s accounting supervisor, and two and a half years later was promoted to accounting manager—the position she currently holds.

She credits the courses in the certificate and the impact of the instructors—one in particular—for making a difference in her career direction.

“Every single class had a huge impact on my accounting manager role,” she commends. “From the basics and intermediate to advanced accounting, I have learned so much.

“My favorite instructor I had of all time was Marjorie Bailey, and I had the pleasure of having her twice,” Melissa lauds. “She taught Accounting Ethics and Intermediate Accounting II. Being able to properly communicate with clients regarding their books and taxes is extremely rewarding. This industry can be either very intimidating or gratifying, and because of this certificate I have been very rewarded.”  

Despite having some work-life challenges along the way—Melissa was six-months pregnant while taking one of her courses and some of the courses were during tax season—she found the online format was just what she needed. 

“The live online and online fixed-date worked perfect for me,” she says. “I was able to get the interaction I needed in all ways from both. I only took one class at a time so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed.”  

It was while Melissa was still completing the courses that she was promoted to accounting supervisor. By having the courses under her belt, she says she was able to communicate to clients and staff more effectively, directly influencing her career movement.

Since completing the certificate in 2025, Melissa has become the go-to person in her latest role at Andrea Ward CPA.

“Every day, the knowledge I gained from my certificate helps me work with my clients and staff because I’m confident in what I know and they turn to me for my expertise,” she says. “Being the accounting manager entails handling the entire accounting team: billing and negotiating with clients for their accounting services, reviewing all books completed monthly by the bookkeepers and sending the financials to the clients, along with answering any questions that are higher level than the team can answer on their own.”  

Because she now has this wealth of immediately applicable skills, Melissa doesn’t hesitate to recommend the certificate to others who may also be looking for a career change to the accounting field.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to earn a certificate from UC Berkeley Extension,” she affirms. And while her individual work situation might be unique to a family business, Melissa recognizes that she still had to make it happen for her career and her own financial future.

“Just do it and finish it, regardless of how ‘hard’ it may be,” Melissa says. “It is worth it to get the certificate. I have been blessed to be in a family business where my CPA husband will be taking over this year and owning the firm, but you never know what will happen. This definitely wasn’t even in my wildest dreams 10 years ago.”