By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
Brittany Galko, a campus recruiter for Cohn Reznick speaks to audience in the Case Study Room in the School of Business.
A session filled with networking and insight from experts in various fields allowed students to gain insight on their desired career.
For this reason, the School of Business hosts Professional Enrichment Platform Talks. Established by Dean Jess Boronico, PEP Talks are in their fourth semester.
The program also collaborates with the School’s Conscious Business Academy and Women’s Leadership Academy to provide students with valuable learning opportunities and networking experiences.
The accounting roundtable was one of 20 sessions included in this semester’s PEP Talks program.
Co-sponsored by the university’s Accounting Society, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, students were invited to attend The Accounting Roundtable: Ask the Accountants.
The insightful semi-annual session was moderated by the Accounting Society officers and Lisa Haylon, an accounting professor at the university.
A panel of specialists from various accounting firms — local, regional and international — discussed the critical role that accountants play in today’s business industry.
Experts also offered insight and guidance on the accoutning world.
The session allowed students, especially aspiring accountants, to learn about potential internships and firms, as well as help to ease anxieties about the Uniform Certified Public Accountant licensure.
Allison Seidensticker, the tax director at Fiondella Milone & Lasaracina, as well as other panelists highlighted their firms’ dedication to helping relieve employees of the test-taking expenses.
“We pay for every part of the exam that you pass,” Seidensticker said. “There is also a $10,000 bonus if you finish all four parts of your exam in one year.”
Panelists also emphasized the importance of internships to gain hands-on experience. Kiersten Snyder from PricewaterhouseCoopers accounting firm said that she encourages those who want to partake in an internship to take the opportunity and make the most out of it.
“It’s very low-risk and high-reward. You get to meet a lot of people, get your feet wet and gain experience,” Snyder said.
Mary Wisenski, a partner at FML, said that her firm has ample opportunities for students from all different numbers of credits. Wisenski said that internships allow participants to get familiar with accounting in the real world.
“Sometimes, the content you learn is different than in school,” Wisenski said. “It is important to strive and be eager to learn new things.”
Internships can also allow students to get their foot into the door. Jeremy Cease, a tax associate at PKF O’Connor Davies, said that internships can pave the way to gain employment.
“I noticed that my peers who did not get a job after they graduated were the people who didn’t,” Cease said.
Dan Horvath, a tax manager at Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, P.C., said interns are typically the first to be selected in the hiring pool at his firm.
“If you do a good job and are a good part of the team, why not ask them to come back?” Horvath said. “Get those doors opened for you earlier than if you didn’t do any internship.”
By attending these sessions, many speakers agreed that students are on the right track. Brittany Galko, a campus recruiter for Cohn Reznick, said that it helps to be able to put a face to a resume.
“By coming to these events, students are able to make connections and learn more about opportunities and internships,” Galko said. “In-person really goes above and beyond, especially to employers.”
Students can take advantage of these PEP Talk sessions every Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Case Study Room, in the School of Business.
This valuable student program is open for all students to attend, regardless of their major, to learn more about the job industry, hear from seasoned experts and gain opportunities outside of the university.
