WHY I'M A MEMBER

Benefits of RISCPA Membership

To describe Michael Walker’s job as technical in nature would be an understatement, to say the least. But it is in the technical nature of the job – in the details – that Walker finds most rewarding.  

As Vice President of Treasury Accounting Policy at Citizens Financial Group, Inc., Walker’s primary areas of expertise include the accounting for financial instruments -- such as investment securities, derivatives, etc. -- and securitizations. His role at Citizens Financial is to provide technical accounting leadership for the bank’s Treasury and Treasury Operations functions.

“My professional experience is unique because I come from a corporate finance background and did not follow the traditional public accounting path towards becoming a CPA,” he said. “My experience has been primarily with corporate accounting departments of large financial institutions, including Citizens Bank, John Hancock Financial Services and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.”

Walker’s primary responsibilities include developing and establishing the bank’s accounting policies in accordance with GAAP, IFRS and regulatory standards, as well as serving as a subject matter expert in various technical accounting matters.

“It’s very technical…I like that,” he said.

It is so technical, in fact, that Walker doesn’t tend to run into a lot of people who do just what he does. And so, becoming involved with the RISCPA has benefited Walker in a number of different ways.

“My professional experience has been earned exclusively from positions in business and industry,” said Walker. “So my membership in the society has allowed me to meet and network with CPA’s from other areas of the profession, such as public accounting.”

Walker became involved with the RISCPA as an associate member in 2002, after passing his CPA exam. A year later, he became a full-fledged member after obtaining his CPA license in Massachusetts.

Walker, who grew up in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, received an undergraduate degree in finance from Bentley University in 1995. He returned to Bentley and received a graduate degree in accountancy in 2000. That same year, he moved to Rhode Island.

In addition to the networking opportunities, Walker said he takes full advantage of the RISCPA’s professional development opportunities.

“I have enjoyed the CPE courses that I have taken at the Society…the location is convenient and the course content is always top quality,” said Walker.