Elson was recently promoted to an Investment Advisor Representative at the Bloomington, IL office of Virtus Financial Group, where she conducts complex tax research and provides guidance for holistic wealth planning.
Kerri Elson (ACCY ’20, MAS ’21) has parlayed her accounting expertise and passion for teaching others into a successful career in financial advising.
Elson was recently promoted to an Investment Advisor Representative at the Bloomington, IL office of Virtus Financial Group, where she conducts complex tax research and provides guidance for holistic wealth planning.
“I’ve found my ‘sweet spot’ where I can combine my accounting skills with my personal desire to serve others,” said Elson, who embraced teaching as head tutor for ACCY 201/202 courses at Gies Business.
Elson’s time at Gies College of Business wasn’t just about the numbers. She also found time to perform as the principal percussionist for the university's Philharmonia Orchestra and served in the student ministry at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center. Her active role on campus didn’t affect her grades; she earned a spot on the Bronze Tablet and was named to the Senior 100 Honorary, a campus-wide recognition of top graduates who excel at academics, leadership, and campus involvement.
Because Elson found accounting a natural fit, she pursued a Master of Accounting Science (MAS) degree to build her skillset and prepare her to sit for the CPA exam.
“The MAS program accelerated my professional development, offering great networking opportunities and helping me master group work dynamics,” said Elson. “It also solidified my foundation in data analytics and taught me how to use large amounts of data to ‘tell a story’ to colleagues and clients – a skill that’s invaluable in the real world.”
Initially, Elson pursued a corporate career, first interning and then working as a financial analyst for State Farm. She was drawn to the company’s culture and opportunities, gaining exposure in strategic reporting and investment accounting. But ultimately, Elson discovered she hadn’t yet found her purpose.
To decide on her next career move, she drew on her experience watching the community impact of her family’s small law practice in Canton, IL. She was drawn to the idea of using her communication and data analytics skills to work one-on-one helping others again.
“I knew I loved teaching people and getting them to the point where they understood something new,” said Elson. “Now as an advisor, I am passionate about explaining concepts in a way that helps my clients gain clarity and confidence about their financial future.”
She then reached out to Rob Metzger, one of her professors and former head of the business honors program, who became a steppingstone in her transition to financial advising.
“He was so enthusiastic about how this would be a good fit for me,” said Elson. “He introduced me to some of his industry connections, and those conversations – along with many others – made me confident I was making the right decision.”
Elson joined Virtus as a financial services associate in 2024 and within months was promoted to her current position. The firm recently tapped Elson to help lead nonprofit workshops across Central Illinois that educate the community on retirement and estate planning. She also continues to give back to her community as the founder of a women’s group that serves Catholic young adults throughout the Bloomington-Normal area and as a volunteer pianist at Lifelong Access, a non-profit that supports families and children with disabilities.
