Southeast Missouri State University 2010 graduate Luke Luckett of Fenton, Missouri, will receive the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MOCPA) award for the 2018 Outstanding Young Professional during the MOCPA Awards Celebration Nov. 15 in St. Louis, Missouri.
I am honored to win such a prestigious award, said Luckett, who earned a double major in business administration in finance and accounting at Southeast. Im also appreciative that my hard work both inside and outside my organization is being recognized.
Luckett is a senior manager in Tax Services at Anders CPAs + Advisors. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) and, according to Anders, the youngest-known Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) in the United States. He brings a wide variety of tax and family wealth experience to his clients, specializing in individual and corporate tax planning, business transition planning, estate planning and stock option planning.
Each day brings a new opportunity and challenges, he said. There is nothing repetitive in my typical work day. I enjoy being in a profession that is constantly evolving.
The MOCPA Impact Awards recognize the efforts of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who go above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the profession and the community. All nominees must be MOCPA members to be considered. The Outstanding Young Professional award honors one CPA under the age of 35 who is viewed as an emerging leader within the profession and is active in the community as well as professional organizations.
Luckett has received other regional and national honors, including being recognized as a member of the St. Louis Business Journal 30 Under 30 class of 2017 and selection into the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 2017 Leadership Academy.
Being one of 40 young CPAs selected across the United States to attend was a great experience, he said.
After taking high school accounting classes, Luckett said he was encouraged to pursue an accounting degree by his father, Southeast alumnus James Luckett.
Upon visiting the campus and meeting some people, I instantly knew that Southeast was the right fit for me, he said. The down-to-earth personalities and class sizes were just what I was looking for in a university.
Luckett says his time at Southeast paid off by providing him with important skills and a very strong work ethic.
The professors challenged you in each class and were always available for assistance, he explained. The technical and soft skills obtained while at Southeast have greatly helped catapult my career.
He encourages students to commit to their goals while in college.
Put in the time and effort. It is going to pay huge dividends in the future. This starts in college and is crucial when starting a career, he said. Do not look for the easy path, but instead create your own path. The hard work will be recognized and rewarded.
Luckett hopes to advance in his career and ultimately become a partner at Anders. He also plans to continue helping the firm develop talented individuals and a culture that meets the advisory needs of their clients.
Luckett is married to Southeast alumna Nikki Luckett, and in his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, golfing, hunting and playing at the park with his three children, Lexie, Cooper and Jaxson.