Quran Wilyum Riddick Jr. is a tax accountant based in Exton, Pennsylvania. Raised in Philadelphia, he learned early that progress often comes from discipline, sacrifice, and setting high standards for yourself.
He attended Science Leadership Academy Center City before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from Villanova University. He later completed his Master of Business Administration at West Chester University. His education did not happen in isolation. For years, Quran balanced school with workweeks that often exceeded 50 hours. He wanted to fund his education while still finishing on time, which required careful planning and plenty of long days.
Today, Quran works as a tax accountant with Marion and Associates LLC. He is also an IRS Enrolled Agent and has passed two sections of the CPA exam. He plans to complete the CPA process and continue building his knowledge through additional credentials. His future goals include becoming a Certified Financial Planner and possibly earning a PhD in Accounting so he can teach later in life.
His work experience extends beyond accounting. Quran has also worked in home health care, assisting clients with conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia, while maintaining additional retail work. Balancing different responsibilities has strengthened his patience, focus, and time-management skills.
Outside of work, Quran enjoys boxing, working out, following the Philadelphia Eagles, and trying new foods. He also makes giving back a priority. For Quran, success is not a finish line. It is the result of continuing to learn, setting meaningful goals, and creating more opportunities for the future.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts with looking at what needs to get done before I let distractions take over. During busy periods in accounting, there can be a lot competing for my attention, so I prioritize by deadlines and importance. I also have experience balancing accounting, school, caregiving, and other jobs, so planning has become second nature. I use Excel, notes on my phone, and a planner to keep track of goals and tasks. I look at them several times throughout the day. That keeps me accountable.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I break ideas into smaller steps. I am a numbers person, so I like seeing progress in a way I can measure. If I have a large goal, such as earning a certification, I work backward from the final result and figure out what needs to happen each week. Thinking about the entire goal at once can make it seem much bigger than it really is.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I am interested in how technology is making financial knowledge more accessible. People have more tools to understand budgeting, taxes, investing, and financial planning than they did before. Having the tools is only part of the equation, though. People still need to understand what the numbers actually mean.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Reviewing my goals every day. I keep them in Excel, my phone, or my planner. When you see your goals several times a day, it becomes harder to ignore what you said you wanted to accomplish.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do not be afraid of difficult goals just because they take time. I spent years balancing 50-plus-hour workweeks with school because I wanted to pay for my education without delaying graduation. It was difficult, but it taught me that short-term sacrifice can create long-term options.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Being busy can sometimes be useful. People often say being busy is automatically bad, but I think there are periods of life when carrying a heavy schedule teaches you what you are capable of. The important part is knowing why you are doing it and recognizing when you need to slow down.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Set your own standards. Advice from other people can be useful, but you have to decide what success means for you. I believe results are one of the clearest ways to measure whether your habits are working.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I simplify things. Instead of thinking about everything I need to accomplish, I focus on the next task. Working toward the CPA has reinforced that mindset for me. It is a marathon. You cannot treat every study session like you need to finish the entire journey that day.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Continuing my education has probably helped the most. I earned my BBA, followed it with an MBA, became an IRS Enrolled Agent, and continued into the CPA process. Each step builds on the previous one. I try not to view education as something that ends once you receive a diploma.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I have had times when I underestimated how much preparation a goal would require. Studying for professional exams can expose that quickly. You can work hard and still realize your study method needs to change. Instead of treating a disappointing result as proof that I could not do it, I adjusted my preparation. It taught me that persistence also means being willing to change your approach.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I would create a financial planning service specifically for people working multiple jobs while attending school. A lot of financial advice assumes people have predictable schedules and income. A simple service focused on taxes, tuition planning, budgeting, and irregular income could help people who are trying to improve their careers while supporting themselves.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Excel. I use it to organize information, track goals, and see progress clearly. I like being able to turn something that feels abstract into numbers, dates, and measurable targets.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I tend to get the most value from finance, accounting, and personal development content that gives me something practical to apply. I like information that makes me question how I currently manage my time, money, or goals instead of simply giving motivational advice.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoy sports documentaries and series that show what happens behind the scenes. Boxing stories are especially interesting to me because preparation matters so much. What happens before the competition often determines what happens when the pressure arrives.
Key learnings
- Break large goals into smaller, measurable steps instead of becoming overwhelmed by the final result.
- Review personal and professional goals regularly so daily decisions stay connected to long-term priorities.
- Education can remain valuable throughout a career, especially when each new skill or credential builds on previous experience.
- Persistence works best when paired with the willingness to change strategies after setbacks.
- Financial success should create more options in life, but making time to enjoy those opportunities matters too.