Undergraduate senior Hylah Daly has always loved asking questions. That innate sense of curiosity led her to major in accounting at Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business.
“I look for the ‘why’ behind things,” Daly said. “Accounting, often called ‘the language of business,’ allows me to understand how organizations truly operate.”
When Daly enrolled at Georgia State in 2022, her interests lay in political science, but over time she realized it wasn’t a good fit.
“Accounting appeals to my problem-solving side,” she said. “It’s like uncovering how and why things do or don’t work.”
Through conversations with faculty, Daly realized that accounting offers a variety of career paths. Notably, Ivo Tafkov, KPMG/E. Harold Stokes Professor of Accounting, sparked her interest in research.
Through the Honors Experience in Business, Daly pursued her own research project, which she recently presented to the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents. Titled “How AI Reshapes International Accounting Careers: A Social Construction of Technology Perspective,” the study explores how AI is transforming the field of accounting on a global scale, examining evolving skill requirements, educational strategies, and career trajectories.
“The findings highlight a critical need for balance - leveraging AI’s efficiencies while preserving the human judgment and interpersonal connection that remain central to the practice of international accounting,” she said.
The study also revealed that because of AI, entry-level accounting jobs will be more focused on high-level, strategic roles.
“It was an honor for the board members to take interest in my work,” Daly said. “Their encouragement reminded me of the value of my studies.”
Daly will continue developing her research with support from her mentor, Clinical Assistant Professor Edward Wang, who also serves as faculty associate for the Honors Experience in Business. She plans to present her findings at Georgia State’s Undergraduate Research Conference in the spring.
Beyond research acumen, Daly has built leadership, communication, and analytical thinking skills throughout her time at Robinson. She also has overcome two fears: public speaking and networking.
“I’m proud and excited because there have been so many things that I thought I couldn’t do or I couldn’t imagine doing, like spending two months in London by myself,” she said, referring to her time as an audit intern with Frazier & Deeter this past summer.
Daly has been active outside the classroom. She served as a part-time research programs assistant with the Georgia State Honors College during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years. She completed two internships with the U.S. House of Representatives from January through August 2023. She also participated in Rödl & Partner’s 2024 Summer Leadership Program, which resulted in a tax and audit internship from January through April 2025.
Daly is slated to graduate in fall 2026. She wants to earn a master’s in accounting at Robinson and hopes to someday be accepted to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in France. Her aspirations don’t stop there. She also aims to give back by working for an international small- or medium-sized company, specifically in the sustainability sector.
“I’m very grateful to Robinson,” she said. “The college has equipped me with skills that are essential to succeeding in the real world.”