Jun 30
Accounting Graduate in Control of Her Future, Her Business
June 30, 2020 - Melinda Murphy鈥檚 first go-round with college didn鈥檛 go so well, but her second attempt nearly 20 years later put her in control of her future. 
Murphy is the senior accountant and owner of Murphy & Associates, an accounting business that handles bookkeeping, payroll preparation, tax planning, income tax returns and other services.
Murphy, of Rockingham, graduated with an from 杏巴原创 in 2017. Before even completing her associate degree, she made the decision to continue her education and start on a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Gardner Webb University.
鈥溞影驮碈C opened the door for me to transfer all of my classes to Gardner-Webb University, which I began in the fall of 2016,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淭he transition was incredibly easy, and I finished my Bachelor of Science in Accounting in December of 2018, thanks to the preparedness and transferability of the classes I took at 杏巴原创CC.鈥�
杏巴原创CC has a partnership with that allows graduates from the Associate of Applied Science programs to transfer credits into the corresponding bachelor鈥檚 degree programs at Gardner-Webb.
鈥淚 started as a junior at Gardner Webb and graduated two years later. I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better transfer experience,鈥� Murphy added.
While Murphy waited much later in life to complete college 鈥� and with added challenges of being a single mother working full time, Murphy said 杏巴原创CC made her college experience 鈥渆asy, relaxed and affordable.鈥�
鈥淲hen I first started college in 1998, I was lost and had no clue how to choose my classes, but this experience was completely different. The department and handled everything. My course path at 杏巴原创CC was mapped out. All I had to worry about was doing the classwork,鈥� she said.
A mother of two children, Murphy was working at Lewis & Lewis CPAs as a bookkeeper and payroll specialist while going to college. She relied heavily on the help of her parents to balance her family and work responsibilities with her school work, but she described her instructors at 杏巴原创CC as 鈥渓ife savers鈥� and 鈥渁mazing.鈥�
鈥淲hile all of my instructors at 杏巴原创CC were pleasant and awesome, Matilda Davis and Jennifer Lambeth were the two that impacted my educational experience the most,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淢s. Davis was extremely supportive from the start, she helped me map out my course path early on and made sure I stayed on track. She was always there to answer my questions.鈥�
Murphy found a kindred spirit in Lambeth, who also has a background in public accounting.
鈥淢rs. Lambeth encouraged me to continue my education and not stop with my associate degree. Without her support and encouragement, I may not have pursued my bachelor鈥檚 from Gardner-Webb,鈥� Murphy said.
Starting her college education at 杏巴原创CC was a great option for Murphy.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e looking for higher education, 杏巴原创CC provides an affordable and quality place to get started. But, if you鈥檙e looking to get an associate degree, or even a diploma, 杏巴原创CC couldn鈥檛 be a better choice,鈥� she said. 鈥淛ust in the accounting realm you can achieve a bookkeeper鈥檚 certificate, accounting certificate and QuickBooks certifications, in addition to the associate degree.鈥�
While Murphy enjoys owning her own accounting business, she has considered becoming a teacher because of the personalized attention she received from her instructors at 杏巴原创CC.
Whatever she eventually decides, one thing is for sure, this 杏巴原创CC graduate is in control of her future.
For More Information
To learn more about the program or enrolling this fall semester, call 杏巴原创CC at (910) 410-1700 or visit .