Faith at Work
As an undergraduate student at The Catholic University of America, Jackson Martinez ’20 MAC studied both accounting and theology and religious studies. “I frequently worried that I would struggle to integrate these passions in a meaningful manner,” said Martinez. “Those in my pastoral studies classes who were planning to engage in youth ministry or religious education often jeered at my hope for an ‘accounting apostolate.’”
Upon enrollment in Villanova’s Master of Accounting with Data Analytics (MACDA) program, Martinez was encouraged to find a path that would lead him to a fulfilling life, both spiritually and professionally.
“My ultimate inspiration to serve others is my Catholic faith and, more specifically, the loving example of Christ.” Martinez reflects, “VSB shaped my perspective about service: the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service encouraged me to prioritize love of neighbor over completion of tasks, and religious not-for-profit research demonstrated to me that my intellectual interests were not nearly as divergent as I had once imagined.”
After graduating from VSB, Martinez earned his CPA licensure in Florida and began working for RSM, where he currently serves as a Senior Associate, focusing primarily on internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Once again, he has found a way to fuse faith and financial statements, serving as the Florida Lead and Christian Faith Community Lead for RSM’s Interfaith employee network group.
RSM’s Interfaith employee network group supports communities across the country through activities including toy drives, volunteer events and collaborative programming, such as Wreaths Across America. RSM’s Christian Faith Community, a group Martinez founded, has led initiatives for faith-based events, including a Christian leadership panel and a recurring prayer series called “Morning Meditation.”
While the “accounting apostolate” Martinez hoped for hasn’t quite materialized, he embraces the opportunities provided by the Interfaith community at RSM to work with his colleagues in support of faith-related activities, business initiatives and community service.
“I feel that these service-oriented and prayer-oriented activities have helped build both the RSM Interfaith community and the local communities whom we serve.” Martinez continues, “Making a difference in my professional and local communities because of my faith, rather than apart from it, gives me great joy and reinforces the idea that my occupational vocation does not need to be estranged from the remainder of my life as a Catholic.”
Jackson Martinez ’20 MAC
“Making a difference in my professional and local communities because of my faith, rather than apart from it, gives me great joy and reinforces the idea that my occupational vocation does not need to be estranged from the remainder of my life as a Catholic.”