Randy Ingargiola

“I’ve always been very interested in the inner workings of business, even from a young age. It began with a lawn-mowing business I started in my early teens. I knew that to be successful, I had to differentiate myself from the competition, so I focused on providing premium quality service tailored to customers with selective taste in landscaping. The experience instilled a sense of pride in operating a business that met high standards while satisfying customer needs.

“My interest in numbers naturally led me to pursue accounting. I recognized that a solid grasp of the financial side of business would be pivotal in developing a comprehensive understanding of how a business worked and what caused it to be successful. The accounting education I received at Price College was a great launchpad into the world of public accounting, where I gained further insights into broader business operations.”

“My career path led me into banking. I love complex financial formulas and calculations and became deeply involved in the derivatives business. This area, notorious for its complex financial calculations, intrigued me as it dealt with financial formulas, valuing securities, and calculating income. It was these kinds of derivatives that may have played a role in the 2008 real estate industry collapse. 

“I primarily work with a group based out of Connecticut focused on trading mortgage derivatives. I manage a substantial inventory of mortgage products valued at billions of dollars. I oversee activity management and accounting oversight and ensure accuracy when determining the fair valuation of complex portfolios.”

“In my role at BOK Financial Capital Markets, the financial markets were in turmoil some years ago. None were more volatile than in our very large mortgage trading business, with inventory levels anywhere from $1 billion to $4 billion. It became evident that accurately valuing such a substantial portfolio required a sophisticated market information system far beyond our current capabilities. 

“My team and I began to brainstorm potential solutions, many of which seemed incredibly complex and hard to implement within our limited timeframe. We made progress not by attempting to build the entire solution in one go but by clearly defining the next steps necessary to advance toward our ultimate objective. We tackled each step of the project incrementally, maintaining an unwavering focus on our end goal.

“The approach proved highly successful, surpassing our initial expectations. We developed a solution that exceeded anticipated functionality and completed the project ahead of schedule.  We still use this system today. Had we not been confronted with such a daunting challenge that compelled us, we might never have ventured into what initially seemed impossible.”

“Following your passion is valuable advice, but it’s equally crucial to understand your unique talents and strengths. Leveraging your talents and abilities in a particular business makes work fascinating. I realized my ability to analyze numbers could tell me a meaningful story behind those numbers. By applying your unique skills to tackle complex problems, you not only add significant value to your organization, but you also naturally set yourself apart in a humble and meaningful way. 

Additionally, networking and seeking out professionals in your desired industries are essential steps. Leveraging the expertise of industry professionals can be a powerful tool for your career development. While it may seem intimidating as a student to engage with industry leaders, I encourage you to be bold. Most of us have been in the business for a while and love helping bring others along.”