2024 Corporate Accounting Career Panel Discussion
- Nick Casaccia (’16) – Wealth Advisor, Bordeaux Wealth Advisors
- Evan Chen (’19) – Senior Financial Analyst, Intuitive
- Tuesday Kintana (’11) – Former Director of Revenue (Deal Assurance), VMware
- Rania Rubaie (’20) – Financial Analyst, Apple
The Panel Discussion was organized by SCU’s Center for Accounting Research and Education (CARE), which is chartered by the Leavey School to strengthen the bridges among accounting research, accounting education, and accounting practice.
First year and sophomore students comprised 87% of the attendees. About 24% of the student attendees were accounting/A&IS majors, 20% were finance majors, and 18% were undeclared, with the remaining 38% consisting of business students with other majors. During the 90-minute event, panelists fielded questions from both Jack Lazar and the audience.
Based on feedback received after the event, students appreciated the variety of experience the panelists shared from both their current corporate positions and also their first job experiences at a large CPA firm. Students were relieved to hear that the panelists too were undecided about selecting a major and what they wanted in their career when they were a student at SCU. The panelists' decision to major in accounting or A&IS provided each of them with a foundation of technical skills that enabled them to seek a variety of career options. Students reported learning “how broad accounting is and how crucial it is to the world of business.”
Under Jack’s direction, all of the panelists shared valuable, relatable insights about deciding on a major, the value of a foundation in accounting, and the doors it opens for multiple career options. One student shared that the event was “most enjoyable because of the journey the panelists went through” and it was refreshing to hear that “not all career paths are traditional and linear.” The panelists shared the enjoyment of being part technology that is in an up and coming space and being able to meet with individuals and help them achieve their goals. In addition, students learned that an SCU Accounting degree, combined with experience working at a public accounting firm and getting your CPA license, demonstrates strong technical skills and will likely cause recruiters to contact you about positions at other companies or a call back when seeking a new job or considering a pivot from traditional accounting roles.
Takeaways from the Panel Discussion include the following:
- Technical skills are necessary; however, is it equally important to have a willingness to learn and a creative mindset so that you can effectively work in a collaborative environment.
- Think of AI as a productivity tool that allows you to step back, assess, analyze and spend more time on more important aspects of the job.
- Work on your social/communication skills so that you are comfortable speaking and working with others – college group projects are more helpful than you think!
- Important non-major classes taken by the panelists included Anthropology, Religious Studies, and Business Writing (writing class takeaway: Find what people need/want, provide a solution, and show how it will benefit them).
- Knowing the language of accounting is helpful for cross collaboration with other departments.
- Be comfortable with change, volunteer instead of being voluntold, and maintain healthy relationships with people (the accounting world is smaller than you think).
- Accounting requires a balance of complying with accounting rules and implementing practical, sustainable solutions to real world problems.
- Although some accounting graduates can experience busy times with 70+ hours a week, the benefits include the exposure to a variety of client situations, the opportunity to learn a lot in a relatively short time, and the long-term friendships you develop working with other motivated co-workers.
- Stay true to yourself and take time to check in with yourself – do an inventory of what makes you happy, do you enjoy your work, is it impactful?
- SCU is a very nurturing, supportive environment – be sure to build self-management skills and discipline upon graduation to achieve what you want to do – like studying for the CPA exam.
We extend a special thanks to Jack Lazar and the panelists for being candid and openly sharing their experiences with SCU students. Additionally, Jack and the panelists stayed after the event to informally talk with individual students who had more questions. Each of the 61 students that provided feedback indicated the event was informative and insightful, regardless of their major, with 100% of the student feedback indicating they were satisfied/very satisfied with the moderator, panelists and the event. Students that checked in upon arrival to the event and also completed a feedback survey after the event were entered into a raffle drawing, with winners Cali-Suri Tran (Class of 2028, undeclared) and Jessica Simmons (Class of 2027, A&IS major) each receiving a $25 Amazon gift card.
In Winter Quarter 2025 (January 15th), CARE will sponsor a second panel discussion on career opportunities for accounting/A&IS majors called “Accounting Information Night.” This second event features a panel that includes CPA firm partners, senior executives, and young professionals with accounting/A&IS degrees, as well as small group breakout discussions. This in-person event will be held in Locatelli Center and is open to all business students.
Photo Credits: Ashlyn Wang (A&IS Class of 2026)