Q: Briefly describe your current position and responsibilities, including challenges/rewards. How did you go about your job search upon graduating -- what strategies were most successful and why do you think you were hired?
Audit, assurance, SOX, SEC and public filing, substantive approach, managing associates, coaching, planning, completion
Q: What personal characteristics/skills are most important for success in your job/field?
- Technical understanding of GAAP, GAAS and other applicable accounting pronouncements, finance concepts and industry
- Communciations skills and ability to communicate priorities and managing people above and below your rank; team work and cooperation
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Ability to quickly grasp concepts and apply
Q: During your university career did any key experiences assist you in making your career choices? If yes, how so? (Internships? Extern Program? Volunteering? Student clubs? Summer job? Mentorship?)
- Summer coop terms in the big4 accounting firms
- Showing expertise in any area such as a hobby, sport
- Volunteering but something that requires a material commitment - not a day volunteering experience
Q: What have been the keys to your success? What advice would you give to students who wish to pursue a similar career path? If you had the chance to plan your studies and your career path again, what would you do differently (if anything)?
- Do your own research - read what's available on the internet Talk to other students who share similar interest and attend events that will elaborate on what you already know.
- Don't just focus on academics...that's just one aspect. Noone hires based on academics alone. Show expertise and passion in other areas.
- Be adaptive and proactive - seek information and provide solutions. If parameters of the problems change such as your situation - the figure out what you need to do.