CPATrack News

On April 5^th 40 aspiring accounting professionals met at PwC to learn how to take their career to “The Next Step”. This special workshop, organized by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and hosted by PwC, focused on how to build a network and prepare for a career fair/job interview.

Kathryn Polak, CPA, of TITUS kicked things off by welcoming the students and introducing the first two speakers Kristie Koskey and Gillian Taitz both of PwC. Koskey and Taitz gave an in-depth presentation on networking. Their interactive presentation kept the audience highly engaged and touched on topics such as developing networking skills and creating a stronger online presence. Students were even taught how to successfully approach a group at a networking event.

Strategies for Successful Interviewing then took the stage. Melissa Sawyer,  Senior Associate Director of Bentley University Career Services, taught those in attendance the fine art of interviewing. She covered preparing for the interview, the actual interview, and the close. She emphasized the need to do a thorough search of the company and a self-analysis, to ensure going into the interview you know the company and know yourself.

A panel of recruiters, from mid-size firms to the big-four, then came forward to give students insider information on the hiring world. The recruiters shared what they look for in hires and what can turn them off. Herve Cote of Abrams Little-Gill Loberfeld told students that having a firm-handshake and looking a recruiter in the eye can make all the difference.

After the presentation students were able to put all their new networking skills to the test over refreshments complements of PwC.  CPA practitioners and members of the Society’s Academic and Career Development Committee, such as Mike Feeley, CPA of StoneTurn LLC, served as test subjects for the attendees to start sharpening their skills. Workshop participants overwhelmingly reported positives reviews saying that they felt much more prepared for the transition to their professional lives.

Here’s what attendees had to say of the event:

I really enjoyed this workshop and found that is very useful in preparing me to achieve my career goal. Thank you very much for organizing this wonderful event - Helen Fu

I don’t think a single piece of today’s event could be regarded as ‘most’ helpful. Every aspect was incredibly helpful and it was great to hear from campus recruiters. – Robert M. Amicangelo

I really enjoyed virtually all the sessions, it was very helpful – Samuel Amoah

Thank you to PwC for hosting the event and sponsoring the reception. Thank you to the following volunteers who made the event a success: Herve Cote, Abrams Little-Gill Loberfeld; Wendy DeFeo, Grant Thornton; Michael Feeley, CPA, StoneTurn Group LLP; Karin Gilmartin, McGladrey; Kristie Koskey, PwC; Kathryn A. Polak ,The Titus Group INC; Melissa Sawyer, Bentley University; Alison Simons, Braver; Kerry Stakem, PwC; Jamie Sullivan, PwC; Gillian Taitz, PwC; and Ann Ulett, PwC.