Written by Michael Rothe, Social Media Assistant with the Career Center and senior professional writing student.
Alumnus Matt Reese offers advice for students interested in accounting careers.
As a staff accountant for Kessler and Associates, LLC, in Springfield, Missouri, Matt Reese has found a position that fits perfectly with his skills and personality. Kessler and Associates is a group of Certified Public Accountants located in Springfield, MO.
Matt graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Missouri State University in May 2016.
Academics to Accounting
The transition from the academic world to the professional world can be intimidating. Matt has some helpful tips for navigating that process.
Did you ever consider doing anything else with your accounting degree?
“I did not consider doing anything else with my degree, but knew that there were many other fields besides public accounting that I could have gone into.”
Alumni from the School of Accountancy have entered careers ranging from auditing to tax accounting. Missouri State University’s College of Business offers more than 17 distinct bachelor of science degrees and five graduate programs.
What was the job interview process like for you?
“The interview process with accounting firms is different at each firm. The biggest similarity is sitting down with a partner or multiple partners and really just talking about yourself, your experience, and what kind of future you want. I have also had interviews with the other levels of staff, who ask similar questions to the partners. Advice I can give on the interview process is to just be yourself in the interviews; do not be too overwhelmed or nervous.”
Did you ever consider living anywhere besides Springfield?
“I initially considered living outside of Springfield due to job prospects but was able to find the perfect job in town. It fit me perfectly, and the work environment matched my personality, so it was an easy choice to stay in Springfield.”
Professional Development
Learning doesn’t stop with graduation. In many industries, having a degree is only the first step in a career.
What kind of learning have you been doing on the job?
“Currently, I get paid time off to study for the CPA exam. My bosses and I have talked about reimbursement for the exam, and they also pay for all CPE courses that we take.”
What is one piece of advice you have for accounting students making the leap from academia to a professional setting?
“The best advice I can give to students is to get some experience in real-world accounting, whether that is bookkeeping, working in an accounts receivable or accounts payable department, or a tax firm. Even a short internship or a year in an accounting job can go a long way in the hiring process.”
What kind of skills do employers value?
“The skills that I have found most important are being hard working and willing to learn. Regardless of where you end up, you will spend the first few months getting used to their accounting systems, so don’t worry too much if you have not spent any time working with one.
If I could go back and work on skills in college, I would have taken an internship at a tax firm. That would help make you look very appealing to firms.”
Accountants work in a diverse range of industries, including but not limited to accounting firms, corporations ranging from apparel to entertainment, health care, non-profit organizations, and government. The Department of Labor projects the occupation of accountant to have a faster-than-average growth rate and a large number of openings through 2024.
If you would like to learn more about accounting careers, take a look at the Career Center’s What Can I Do with This Major?