Dexter Metcalfe
Audit Partner
KPMG
Denver, CO USA
“I used the noise as encouragement to become one of the first African Americans to make audit partner in Denver for my firm.”
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
In Spring 1994, I graduated high school and started junior college that Fall.
In January 1996, I dropped out of school and my daughter was born that Summer.
In Fall 1997, I started back to school at a four year university.
In 2001, I obtained both my Bachelors and Masters in Accounting and started my career at KPMG.
In 2011, I accepted a rotation in my Firm's national office and moved to New York City.
In 2014, I rotated back to the audit practice in Denver and in 2015, I was appointed to the partnership.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Sulligent High School
Sulligent High School
Career
Audit Partner
I lead audit engagement teams. I'm also co-lead I&D initiatives nationally and in my local business unit.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Numbers
Working with Others
Day to Day
It's a challenge to describe a typical day for me because every day is so different. In general, I work with my clients to research and answer technical accounting or SEC reporting questions. I work with my engagement teams to plan and execute audits in accordance with AICPA and PCAOB auditing standards. I coordinate and plan I&D strategies with local business unit leadership and national leadership to build an inclusive and equitable work environment.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
The first step to becoming an auditor is to become CPA eligible for your state. Although it would be beneficial for you to have your CPA license in hand, it is not required to start your career.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Public accounting is a good place to start your career, but you should not stay there too long because only a few people make partner and even fewer African Americans make partner."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
