Allison Bobeck’s ascent from a staff auditor at our firm to chief financial officer (CFO) today at First Farmers Bank & Trust demonstrates how Forvis Mazars’ values, Alumni Network, and professional relationships can foster a lasting and successful career. We sat down with Allison to discuss her career, industry changes, and advice for today’s professionals.
You got started with the firm in 2009. What was your time at our firm like?
I began my journey with legacy firm BKD as a summer intern, later transitioning to a full-time staff auditor. I worked across a range of industries, focusing primarily on banking clients, conducting internal and external audits. I also worked with some colleges and hospitals. I traveled quite a bit with team members, mostly in the Fort Wayne area, but also to Chicago and California. Those experiences with colleagues were very rewarding—serving a variety of clients, while traveling and seeing new places.
What stood out to you about working in banking as an auditor?
I learned to enjoy the banking industry over my career. Financial institutions provide auditors a great deal of information upfront, and I liked having that info in real time, as opposed to waiting 12 days or so to close the books. This immediate access sparked my interest in understanding interest rates and how financial institutions approach their work. I also found it interesting to learn about interest rates and all the different viewpoints that were available.
How did your career progress after leaving the firm?
Upon leaving the firm, I spent a brief period in publishing as a financial manager before moving to First Farmers Bank & Trust. My dad worked with First Farmers as a loan officer, so I knew about the bank from him. I told myself I wanted to go to a bank or an organization that would still challenge me and offer opportunities for growth. They (First Farmers) were in that tier of bigger banks that interested me. I started as an assistant controller in 2015 and ultimately became CFO in January 2026.
What changes have you witnessed in the banking industry?
There have been some significant regulatory shifts, such as banks with assets in the $1 billion to $5 billion range that no longer need an FDICIA control opinion from their auditor. That was a big change for us this year. I’ve also noticed the industry’s ongoing adaptation to technological advancements, including the rise of cashless transactions, cryptocurrencies like stablecoin and bitcoin, and the influence of political factors such as interest rates and tariffs. I think all the changes in the political environment keep us on our toes in the banking world.
How has technology shaped banking at First Farmers?
At First Farmers, I would say we’ve made a lot of investments into technology that have helped us improve processes, streamline things, and make better decisions. We went from reconciliations being prepared on copy paper that we printed off to now having a system that moves them electronically. Even just in our department, we’ve made a lot of improvements.
We have a technologies committee that’s evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) options for us as well. There are a lot of possibilities with AI and how we could incorporate it. It’s just about finding the right fit for our team and the right organization to team up with.
What skills and relationships did you develop at the firm?
My time at the firm gave me a solid career start and foundation. I strengthened my communication skills and technical expertise. My interpersonal skills grew as I learned to confidently interact with colleagues and clients across organizational levels, from CFOs to staff accountants. Sometimes tough conversations were in the mix, and my time at the firm prepared me for those. I became proficient in the area of internal controls and how to prepare a financial statement. All of these factors helped me decide where I wanted to go next.
What advice do you have for current team members at Forvis Mazars, or those considering entering the accounting profession?
Building the right relationships can take you a long way. Also, learning to communicate effectively can be a huge advantage. Learn to embrace opportunities when they’re presented to you, remain adaptable, and leverage the skills and connections developed early in your career. Everything I learned at Forvis Mazars has supported my growth throughout my career.
More About Allison
- Married to Aaron since 2022
- Together, they have a daughter, Abigail (2 years old)
- Attended Purdue University, graduated with a double major in business management and accounting, with a minor in finance
- Regularly attends Purdue basketball and football games
