Major: Accounting and Spanish
Residence: Grand Rapids, Mi
Career: Public Accounting, Ernst & Young
I am a staff auditor, so that means I work with a team to analyze the financial aspects of a business. A large
part of that involves analyzing a company's financial statements and controls through different methods of
testing -- like control walkthroughs, analytics, or substantive testing. Part of that includes interactions with the
client asking for more support, clarification or more information on their controls or what they do. In the end, the
team must issue an opinion that states whether we believe the company is in accordance with GAAP. I work
with multiple different engagement teams throughout the year on different parts of the audits.
I love what I do because every day is different. I am faced with new challenges daily and have to problem solve
to figure out the best way to perform certain testing or what happened that made something misstated or
recorded incorrectly. I love working with a team where collaboration is important.
First off, Albion gave me the hard skills that are needed within this field. All of my accounting classes helped to
provide the background that helps me to excel and understand the workings of a company and the audit. All of
my professors at Albion advocated throughout my career for things from finding internship opportunities to the
CPA exam. The economics and management department has great staff that helped me to be able to develop
the foundation of accounting skills needed for my job.
Second, Albion helped me to develop the soft skills necessary within public accounting. Throughout the
different things I was involved with at Albion&em;the lacrosse team, Cru, studying abroad, the tour guide program&em;I was able to develop skills like leadership, communication skills, problem-solving, work ethic, among many
others. These other skills that I developed at Albion are just as important as the other skills&em;I use them on a
daily basis.
My favorite part of Albion was the personal attention from the professors. A few of my
professors took an interest in my success and how I was going to proceed with my future. They
were able to help not only in class but also outside of class which is the benefit of going to a smaller
school. Albion made it possible for me to get to know my professors and to know most if not all of
the people in my classes and majors.
… gave me the opportunity to create relationships, network, and grow both intellectually and personally. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone often, and that allowed me to learn and grow in immense ways. Albion provided an excellent foundation for the start of the next chapter of my life. I know I will always have connections here, but Albion also prepared me to create connections moving forward.