Numbers Tell the Story: Caleb Bernal Is
On His Way Up
Caleb Bernal never imagined that a knack for numbers would take him this far—but as he walks across the stage to graduate from the USCB next month, the Business Management major with a concentration in accounting is headed for a bright future. Known for his strong work ethic and perseverance, Bernal admits this field of accounting isn’t for everyone.
"Accounting is hard—there are only seven of us in my auditing class because it’s demanding,” he said. “Not everyone looks at an income statement and wonders, ‘Where does that come from?’”
After graduation, Bernal will pursue Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification and plans to take this exam in about a year. He recently landed the role of Director of Accounting at Riverton Point, a publicly traded company in Okatie. He started part-time on April 14 and will transition to a full-time position after graduation, handling accounts receivable, accounts payable, and monthly and yearly financial statements. He is grateful to have secured a professional job before graduating from college, a testament to his skills and determination.
Bernal’s journey as a first-generation college student is grounded in a strong work ethic developed from an early age. From age 14, he has worked at The Boathouse on Hilton Head Island, as a busser, food runner and server. A lifelong island resident, Bernal attended Hilton Head Island’s public schools from early childhood and graduated from Hilton Head Island High School.
He has also been deeply involved in his family’s three businesses: Pincho’s Grill, Little Island Preschool and BLM Domestic Cleaning. His experience includes assisting with payroll, QuickBooks, tax forms, invoices and correspondence with clients.
Faith plays a central role in Bernal’s life. He is an active member of Ebenezer Church in Okatie, where he leads English-language Bible studies for young adults, participates in the music ministry, and serves in youth leadership. A missionary trip to Chiapas, Mexico, strengthened his commitment to service.
Bernal is also preparing for an exciting new chapter in his personal life—he got engaged to his high school sweetheart, Saydi Hernandez, in December 2024. Though they have not yet set a wedding date, he looks forward to their future together.
During his time at USCB, Bernal was a Student Ambassador for all four years. He credits financial aid coordinator Fernando Islas for helping him navigate the admissions process to enter USCB and Mack Palmour, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, for hiring him as a student ambassador. His mentors in the Business Management department include Professor Kelly Prestby and Dr. George Smith.
“Caleb Bernal is one of the finest young men I have ever had the privilege to know, " Palmour said. "His warmth and good humor,allows him to make an immediate connection with prospective students and their families during campus tours as he tells his story at USCB. I can’t wait to see his success, and where life takes him after graduation.”
Bernal's academic experience was enriched by an intensive 300-hour bookkeeping and tax preparation internship at Bluffton-based firm Bookkeeping by Day. He emphasizes the value of higher education, particularly for first-generation students like himself.
“Many of my professors are the same age as parents, but my parents look different because they’ve worked hard physical labor all their lives. With higher education, you can spend more time with your family and do work you truly care about,” he said. We need to think about our lives in the long run because we will be old someday. Higher education will help you open more doors and cap out at a higher salary.”
Beyond accounting, Bernal is musically inclined, playing guitar, bass, and piano—skills he developed through his church. He has recently started reading for pleasure, particularly nonfiction and Greek mythology, and is about to start The Odyssey.
With a strong foundation in faith, family, and finance, Bernal is poised for a bright future, both professionally and personally. His journey is a testament to perseverance, ambition, and the power of caring— at home, in the community and at USCB.
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CW04/01/25