By Shelley Broxton

Terrance Stewart Green has been working at it for some time. Long before his opportunity arrived, Green had been working to build his reputation as “The Go to Guy” among his peers. Now after all the hard work he has put into it, it will be “accounted” for.

As of Feb.26th, Green is the official accounting tutor at the Mercy Manhattan Campus Learning Center. He is available on Fridays and Saturdays by appointment only.

Before now, students attending accounting classes at the Manhattan campus, looking for assistance in the subject, would not have had much luck finding the support they need at the campus Learning Center. Chances are they would have gone directly to Green.

“It’s my professors’ fault,” joked Green. “The students wouldn’t know how good I am if the teachers weren’t always complimenting me to the class.”

However, Green’s professors aren’t the only ones broadcasting his talents. Green himself can rarely resist an opportunity to show his stuff as he has become avid about accounting and is eager to establish himself as an authority on the subject.

Green first discovered his knack for numbers in high school while attending the Institute of Collaborative Education, located in Manhattan, but like most young men growing up, Green’s first passion was sports.

“In high school, math came so easy to me,” says Green, “but I didn’t think anything of it. I was more focused on making it to the NBA.”

Green played the position of point guard for his high school basketball team and was confident that he had discovered his niche.

Immediately following high school graduation, Green accepted an offer to attend Penn State Altoona. He saw the opportunity to play for their division III basketball team as an opportunity to advance to the division I team at Penn State University. There he would have a better chance of being recruited into the NBA.

Green thought he had it all figured out. He never anticipated any obstacles that could get in the way. He easily became discouraged when things didn’t work out as he had hoped.

During tryouts in Altoona, Green was cut from the team. Losing heart, Green allowed his grades to suffer. Eventually, he was placed on academic probation and financial aid was revoked.

Green fulfilled his plan to transfer to Penn State University and made the cut to play for the team. However, he was far from ready.

He had been working to get his grade point average up, while struggling to pay tuition out of pocket. Due to financial hardship, Green dropped out of Penn State before even having a chance to play for the team.

After leaving Penn State, Green moved to Middletown, New York, where he worked to get his finances in order. He found a job working at H&R Block tax preparation services as an administrative assistant.

“It was the best H&R Block in the district,” says Green. “We had the best sales due to our ability to network.”

Green’s responsibilities were general office work and greeting customers, but his manager saw greater potential.

“She liked the way I interacted with the clients,” said Green. “She told me I should take the course for H&R Block tax preparers. She knew I would be good at it.”

Green exceeded his manager’s expectations by going above and beyond entry level certification. He passed the position of tax preparer and went from an administrative assistant to becoming a tax specialist.

After a year in the position, Green knew he had discovered his passion. Having the ambition to turn his job into a career, Green decided to leave H&R Block and further pursue his education.

“I could have stayed a tax specialist,” said Green, “but I wanted to be so much more. I wanted to be the best.”

Green moved from Middletown back to Manhattan, where he applied to attend Mercy College.

“My sister was attending the campus at the time, and both my parents graduated from Mercy,” said Green.

In 2009, Green enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program at Mercy College, majoring in accounting.

Coming into his major, already having professional experience, Green recognized opportunities to gain credibility during class discussions.

“I would answer all the questions in class,” said Green. “It was to the point where the professor would no longer call on me.”

With professors silencing him during lectures, students began approaching him for clarification on the subject.

“I gave examples students could relate to,” said Green.” When I explained it they understood it.”

Before long, Green made himself accessible to anyone looking for help.

Already carrying a full load, with five classes, a full time job, and working on the side to help others prepare during this tax season, Green still saw tutoring at the Learning Center as a win/win for everyone.

“I was already helping people,” said Green. “Only now I can add it to my resume.”

Though Green has a way to go before reaching his goal of becoming a certified public accountant, he’s been working confidently toward that day.

“I know my hard work will pay off,” said Green. “You have to prepare for success.”