Madam President

Rachael Clark Sargent ’05, chief financial officer of PPC Lubricants Inc. in Jonestown, Pa., recently achieved another professional milestone when she was named president of the South Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) for 2017–2018. A rising star in the accounting field, Sargent had received the PICPA Young Leaders Award in 2015.

Sargent’s presidential oversight includes members in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York counties. Among her duties will be focusing on member engagement and creating a stronger network of certified public accountants. “Having a network of peers is invaluable and what better way to build one’s network than to using resources already available to most accounting professionals,” Sargent noted. “And at PICPA, we always have fun!” 

A double major in accounting and business administration at Lebanon Valley College, Sargent attributes the great scholarship she received, small class sizes, and strong study abroad program as important factors contributing to her undergraduate and career success. “Studying in the Netherlands at Maastricht University enabled me to learn European business practices and achieve greater independence,” said Sargent. “Traveling with friends throughout Europe was also a great learning experience, and a highlight of the program.” 

Sargent didn’t stop learning once she graduated from The Valley, later earning her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. “It has been my most rewarding career accomplishment,” she said. “It was an achievement that took years of perseverance, hard work, and discipline. It was not always a fun path, but it was a rewarding path and has opened many doors.”