GFOA Scholarship Spotlight: Jessica Tapia

Jessica Tapia recently accepted a Senior Accountant position at the Village of Lake Zurich and will be starting in June. Previously, Jessica worked for the Village of Barrington as an Accountant since September of 2018. Jessica also worked for McHenry County as a Court Specialist in the Circuit Clerk’s office and then as a Court Monitoring Program Coordinator for the Probation department.

Q & A with Jessica

Where and what are you currently studying? Why did you choose this? 

I am currently an MBA student at Northern Illinois University and I will graduate in December of 2021. I have a passion for continuous learning and quest for more knowledge, which is why I decided to pursue my master’s degree.

What government are you working or hoping to work at in the future?

I have been working for the Village of Barrington as an Accountant since September of 2018. I previously worked for McHenry County first, as a Court Specialist in the Circuit Clerk’s office and then as a Court Monitoring Program Coordinator for the Probation department.

What are your future career goals?

The first full-time position I held after graduating high school was as a Court Specialist. I have remained in the public sector ever since. The experience with working in government coupled with my undergraduate accounting coursework ultimately led me to the financial public sector career path. My goal is to one day be a finance director for a municipality and completing an MBA is an essential part of this role. This degree will refine my leadership skills and help me be successful when I become a finance manager.

Which GFOA scholarship did you receive this year, and how will GFOA's scholarship help you achieve those goals?

I was the recipient of the GFOA Government Finance Professional Development scholarship. This scholarship provides me with the resources needed to finish a degree that will further develop the skills necessary to become a financial leader.