Rising senior Cailin Daigle was recognized this spring by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for her success in balancing her accounting studies with her commitment to cheerleading at Elon University.
When Cailin Daigle ‘25 enrolled at Elon University, she set her sights on pursuing a passion for cheer and, at that time, a major in interior design.
A single class upended those plans. When the rising Elon senior heard an accounting professor describe the field as a synthesis of math, music theory, and computer science, Daigle was hooked.
She’s now the latest Elon University recipient of a Legacy Scholarship from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, which awards students of excellence with aspirations of becoming certified public accountants.
“AICPA knows we have an excellent accounting program at Elon University,” said Patty Cox, and assistant professor of accounting. “And Cailin exemplifies the caliber of our program.”
Daigle’s decisive early switch to accounting not only aligned with her strengths but also allowed her to take advantage of Elon’s accelerated 3+1 accounting program, setting her on a fast track to obtaining both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree by next spring.
Daigle’s involvement in Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance and information systems, has also been pivotal in her advancement. “If I wasn’t a part of Beta Alpha Psi,” she said, “I wouldn’t have made the connections with recruiters or gone to career fairs.”
Daigle’s commitment to her accounting career is matched by her dedication to a cheerleading team that performs at Elon Phoenix football and basketball games. “I have been in cheer since I was 5,” says the native of Clayton, N.C., whose audition for the U.S. Olympic Cheer Team led to a paid role this summer with the National Cheer Association. “It will always be a part of my life.”
That volunteer role complements a summer internship with RSM in New York City, which follows previous opportunities to intern with Gilliam Bell Moser and Novo Nordisk.
“Cheer doesn’t have a lot in common with my accounting major, but it’s taught me perseverance,” Daigle said. “Having this skill will help me excel in my work as an accountant.”