NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – When Julie R. James was a young girl growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, her dreams weren’t filled with balance sheets or tax codes. Like many ambitious youths, she looked toward the bright lights of the fashion world.
“I actually wanted to be a model growing up,” James said with a smile. “But my parents instilled in me the importance of education, business, and financial stability. Over time, accounting became more than a career, it became a purpose.”
That purpose was recently validated on a national stage. For the second consecutive year, James, the Controller at Tennessee State University, has been named to the prestigious Forbes Best-In-State CPAs list. After being named to the inaugural list in 2025, her repeat appearance in 2026 solidifies her standing as one of the top financial minds in the country.
For TSU, James’ success is more than a personal accolade; it is a critical component of the institution’s future. Appointed last November by TSU President Dwayne Tucker, James was brought on board to stabilize and strengthen the university’s fiscal operations. Her arrival marks a pivotal moment in Tucker’s multi-year transformation strategy, aimed at elevating the university’s financial integrity and operational efficiency.
“Julie’s leadership represents the level of expertise and innovation we’re building across every area of TSU,” President Tucker said. “Her background in financial management and organizational transformation will help us strengthen internal operations and continue advancing the university’s mission.”
James’ resume reads like a roadmap of professional excellence. A proud alumna of Jackson State University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Professional Accountancy, she arrived at TSU with over two decades of experience. Beyond her CPA license, she is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and a Certified Internal Auditor. Not one to rest on her laurels, she just graduated with her Executive MBA from Vanderbilt University.
Despite the high-level titles and the founder status of her own firm, Bekah Consulting, James views her role through a lens of service.
“I realized how important it is for communities of color to have trusted advisors in spaces involving finances, leadership, and integrity,” James said. “My work today is fueled by service and mentorship as much as professional success. I’ve always believed that whatever gifts or talents we have should be poured back into the world.”
At TSU, those talents are being utilized to modernize financial systems and enhance transparency. Since joining the executive team on Nov. 10, she has focused on overseeing all accounting operations, ensuring that the university’s “Big Blue” legacy is supported by a rock-solid financial foundation.
The recognition from Forbes, while humbling, serves as fuel for the work ahead.
“It’s humbling because you spend years pouring into people and organizations without expecting recognition,” James said. “But it also reminds me that there’s always another level of possibility. If I can make a Forbes list, what else can I accomplish, and how can I use that platform to elevate others?”
That desire to elevate others is seen in her commitment to mentoring students and serving mission-driven organizations. Whether she is in the classroom as accounting faculty or in the controller’s office at TSU, her goal remains the same: helping people navigate paths that are not always clear.
As TSU continues its journey toward long-term excellence and growth, James stands at the helm of its fiscal ship, guided by resolve and integrity. For the girl from Jackson who once dreamed of the runway, the path she chose may be different, but the impact is undeniably more significant. She isn’t just balancing books; she is helping to secure the future of a historic institution.
Featured Photo: Julie James was one of 54 CPAs selected from Tennessee for the Forbes recognition. She is also a 2023 TSPApex Impact Award recipient, presented by the Tennessee Society of CPAs, and was previously named a CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 honoree. (Photo by PR & Communications)
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
