GFOA Scholarship Spotlight: Cheyenne Black

Cheyenne Black is an accounting student at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. She holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Atlanta Technical College and aspires to become a CPA. Cheyenne’s passion for business and public service led her to government accounting, where she thrives as a treasury accountant at the Georgia Office of the State Treasurer. Her career goal is to become an accounting director of a government finance agency.  

When Cheyenne is not studying, she enjoys mentoring community college students with their transition to universities, volunteering at the Atlanta Humane Society and taking walks on the Beltline Trail during sunny days. Cheyenne is also Vice President of the Atlanta Technical College Accounting Advisory Board and a member of Georgia State University’s Accounting & Tax Society. 

Q & A with Cheyenne

Where and what are you currently studying, and why did you choose this?

I am currently studying accounting at Georgia State University, and I am a junior. My goal is to earn my bachelor’s degree in 2028 and subsequently, a master’s degree in accounting with a concentration in data science in 2029. I chose accounting because it aligns with my personality and professional goals. I enjoy solving complex problems, analyzing numbers, and I value transparency. As a child, I remember my favorite toy was a Barbie cash register. I loved making transactions, doing math and the clicking sounds of a calculator. I can confidently say that I was destined to be an accountant! 

What government are you working in or hope to work at in the future?

Currently, I work as a treasury accountant at the Georgia Office of the State Treasurer. I began my career here as an intern in 2025, where I developed my skills and gained valuable insight into government accounting. Working at the Treasurer’s office inspired me to pursue my CPA and aspire to build a long-term career in government accounting. In the future, I hope to work in state government to continue contributing to the financial well-being of Georgia and advance my career into a prosperous leadership role. 

What are your future career goals?

My future career goal is to become an accounting director of a state finance agency, where I can support organizational growth through enhancing accounting procedures, overseeing crucial financial insights for decision-making and creating financial strategies that benefit the citizens of Georgia. As a future accounting director, my goal would be to lead with integrity, accuracy and transparency. Through visionary leadership, I aspire to have an impactful career and be a mentor within my field, where I would help guide young government accountants on their professional journeys.  

How will GFOA’s scholarship help you achieve those goals?

Receiving the GFOA scholarship will help me to achieve my goals by greatly alleviating the cost of my education and allowing me to focus on my career development. With the support of the scholarship, I can expand my technical knowledge with GFOA’s network and educational resources to successfully prepare for my future career. Beyond financial support, this scholarship provides motivation for me to continue striving for excellence and working hard to achieve my goals. It is an honor to be recognized by GFOA, and I am proud to represent the next generation of public servants.