Retiree Spotlight – Mary Barnett, CPA
July 8, 2025
Mary Barnett, CPA
Director of Internal Audit, Virginia’s Community College System
Years in Higher Education: 40
ACUA Involvement
President – 2010
Board member and various committee member
“My professional life has been enriched beyond measure by my involvement in this wonderful organization! ACUA has made me a better auditor than I could have been otherwise, and has often made me look a lot smarter than I actually am. (Thanks for that, peeps!) More importantly, some of my dearest and most beloved friends are folks I have met here, either online or in person at conferences. I will miss ACUA, but those friendships will endure beyond my retirement.”
Professional Background
With a couple of tiny breaks, Mary has been in a Higher Ed auditor for nearly 40 years! She was at the University of Richmond for the first half of her career, and then at the VCCS for the rest. This has been just the perfect career for me! I love the mission; I love the nearly-always-positive attitude of staff and faculty. I work at the System Office now, but loved my 20 years on campus, and love visiting our college campuses as part of my job now – the energy is contagious!
Why retire? Plans for the future?
“I have this weird avocation driving a forklift to help set up and take down huge Folk Festivals (think 250,000 visitors), and there are two of those back to back this fall. Without enough annual leave time, I just couldn’t imagine how I would choose between the two of them! Clearly retiring was the logical solution.”
After retirement, Mary plans to visit overseas family and volunteer with organizations that she wishes to devote more time. Mary also has hobbies that she has missed partaking in and some new learning opportunities lined up. Hiking, entertaining, and creating will add to her retirement activities.
Mary’s Advice for ACUA Members
“Please take advantage of this wonderful organization, even if you are an introvert! Get out of your comfort zone, talk to people, ask for help, offer help – ACUA has so much to offer and I want you to take advantage of all of it! I was a very involved volunteer for probably 15 years, including 10 years in various positions on the Board, and loved being able to make an impact through that work. And that’s where I met my closest ACUA buddies, too!”