"From Summer Intern to Staff Accountant" by Jack Lilly

Hey, I’m Jack Lilly, and I started with Monroe Shine last summer as an Accounting Intern. I really liked the experiences I got from this internship and the opportunity to connect with so many people in the firm in one short summer.

My internship took place after my junior year at Indiana University, and afterward I was fortunate enough to accept a return offer for after graduation in May of 2022. This helped a lot in making my senior year of college stress free since I didn’t have to do any recruiting, applying, and interviewing for jobs like some of my friends.

Working at Monroe Shine last summer was my only internship experience, but I was very fortunate to enjoy my time here so much that I wanted to return. While one internship worked out great for me, I would suggest most students aim for two internships. This could be done by starting your first internship after freshman or sophomore year of college. By having time for multiple internships, you could find out a lot about what you would like and dislike in a full-time position.

Monroe Shine has given me amazing opportunities since I first got in contact with the firm back in high school. They helped me go to the university I always wanted to, offered me a great internship, and provided me a job I have really enjoyed. I hope any readers of this post will be as fortunate as I was in their own internship journeys!!

~ Jack Lilly (A 2021 Summer Intern, currently a Staff Accountant)

"Unsure if accounting is for you? I was the same way, until my internship at Monroe Shine!" by Staff Accountant, Olivia Ferriell

Hi everyone! My name is Olivia Ferriell and I recently graduated from Indiana University Southeast with a major in Accounting and a minor in Business Analytics. I started at Monroe Shine in January 2022 as a tax intern and at the end of the semester I transitioned into a full-time Staff Accountant position. Prior to coming to Monroe Shine, I worked part-time at a local bank and completed a private accounting internship, but I wanted to experience public accounting as well. By completing various accounting roles my goal was to have a better understanding of which path I wanted to pursue after graduation.

Before starting my internship, I had already taken two tax classes and they had turned out being some of my least favorite, so I was extremely nervous coming into my first tax season. However, after completing my first tax season, I ended up really enjoying doing taxes! The knowledge I gained during my internship was so vast and much more in depth in comparison to the other internships I had during college. Working as an intern at Monroe Shine not only confirmed that accounting was the right path for me, it also solidified that public accounting was a career path I wanted to pursue.

If you’re considering a public accounting internship or even an admin role, I would highly suggest Monroe Shine as the place for you! Even if you’re still unsure about which path is right for you, the experience and knowledge you will gain at Monroe Shine will greatly help you out in the long run.

~ Olivia Ferriell (A 2022 Spring Intern, currently a Staff Accountant)

"A summer internship at Monroe Shine" by Intern Riley Winslow

 Hi everyone! My name is Riley Winslow and this summer I had a great internship experience with Monroe Shine. I had just finished my sophomore year at Marshall University and had no Accounting work experience. I wanted the opportunity to observe the environment of a firm to see what my future career path holds. I’d thought I was going to intern at a different firm, but it fell through at the last minute leaving very few options available. That’s when I contacted Monroe Shine asking if there was anything I could do around the office, just to be of some help, while also observing how business was run at the firm.

I received a quick response, had an interview the next day, and then was able to get started soon after. I was welcomed in with open arms and everyone was very friendly! In my roll as Administrative Intern, I directed phone calls and interacted with clients when they visited the office. I gained knowledge on how to professionally handle tough situations, honed my customer service skills, and made many new connections.

I’m so glad that this company is providing not just high quality services, but high quality people, for the betterment of our community. I am so thankful for the opportunity that Monroe Shine provided me, and I very much look forward to coming back again next summer!

~ Riley Winslow (A 2022 Summer Administrative Accounting Intern)

"My Experience as a Summer Administrative Accounting Intern" by Intern Zoe Libs

Hi! My name is Zoe and I am a rising sophomore at Indiana University Bloomington where I am majoring in Accounting. I plan to graduate in the Fall of 2023. I was added to the Monroe Shine team in May 2021 as an Administrative Accounting Intern and I’ve learned a lot in my short time with the company.

Even though I came to Monroe Shine with only one year of college under my belt, I feel as though I’ve gained a lot of insight into the world of public accounting. Being a part of the regular day to day operations of the company has reassured me that accounting is the right career path for me. I have contributed to different projects as well as standard daily procedures. This has allowed me to be a part of the entire company, not just one area.

I think that all students should try to be a part of a summer internship in order to gain experience as a young professional. In my time with Monroe Shine I have learned so much about professionalism and working in an office setting. Having worked in other typical “teenager jobs” like babysitting and food service, the more professional atmosphere has given me additional skills to use going forward. Another way I have found to grow my network as a young professional has been through the Women in Accounting club at IU. This group of young women comes together to meet with professionals and learn from their experience.

My advice to you, coming from a sophomore with a lot to learn herself, is to put yourself out there and meet as many people as you can. Growing your future is all about making connections and extending your network. You can never have too much experience and there’s always more to be learned. I have really enjoyed learning from some of the best in the business here at Monroe Shine and I wish you luck on your mission to find an internship!

~ Zoe Libs (A 2021 Summer Administrative Accounting Intern)

""How an Administrative Accounting Internship Helped Me!" by Intern Emily Chumbley

Hi!  My name is Emily.  I am working on completing my MBA, and I should be done with it in Fall 2020.  I completed my undergraduate career at Morehead State University where I studied Accounting, and I am working on my graduate degree through their online program.  I am currently a summer intern at Monroe Shine.  I started my internship in January 2020 as a spring  administration accounting intern and I was asked to stay on through the summer. 

            Since I am working on my MBA, I wanted an internship that was part time, so I could gain experience in the field I have a degree in but also stay full time in school and have time to get my schoolwork done.  Monroe Shine was great at arranging a way for me to do this.  They hired me on as an administrative intern, and then I transitioned to an accounting intern once my semester was over. 

            Working as an administrative intern and then an accounting intern, I have been able to learn a lot and pickup new skills.  I have also witnessed how work is done throughout the firm, which is beneficial because I know the processes for many different jobs now.  When the accounting work is slow, I can work on administrative work; when the administrative work is slow, I can work on accounting work.  It’s very nice if you’re someone who likes to stay busy.  However, it does get slow in all departments at some point.  Prepare yourself for that. 

            I think as an undergraduate student, it is very important to complete an internship.  Don’t put it off.  Attend the career fairs your school puts on.  Get involved in the Accounting Club or other related activities.  When I was an undergraduate student at Morehead, they offered an elective course during tax season called Practicum Income Tax Accounting.  The course started in January, where you began training to become a certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteer.  I worked as a VITA volunteer completing returns for low-income families and college students until tax season was over.  It was a great experience and it was fun to put my education to work.  If your school offers this opportunity, take it.  You will not regret it.

Good luck in your search to find an internship!  Monroe Shine is a great place to work!  Their open door policy makes asking questions less intimidating, and it seems friendlier, in my opinion.  I have really enjoyed my time here!

~ Emily Chumbley (A 2020 Spring Administrative Accounting Intern & a 2020 Summer Accounting Monroe Shine Intern)

"Advice for Future Interns!" by Intern, Reynaldo (Rey) Sierra-Escobedo

Hey everyone! My name is Reynaldo Sierra-Escobedo, but I also go by Rey! I have did a Spring internship this last Spring and am currently doing a Summer internship here at Monroe Shine! When I was asked to write a little something about what I wish I knew as a younger student for our recruiting blog I was happy to help! 

Sometimes students struggle on what career path they should pursue. I know I have changed my mind more than a couple of times. I studied engineering for four years in high school and switched to accounting for my major at Indiana University Southeast. Three years later, I decided to double major in accounting and finance. Even though I have changed my mind numerous times, I did not regret it! However, if I could go back and give myself some advice, it would be this: complete at least two internships; attend more networking events, and participate in as many on-campus and off-campus interviews possible.

             First, I wish I would have completed a corporate and public accounting internship. This is true for many students because one might love corporate and another could hate it. I would recommend any student to do this because they are so much different. There are numerous types of accounting: financial, public, government, forensic, tax, auditing, and management. I know a classmate that is studying accounting to be a FBI agent! There are so many opportunities for an accounting major and you should try to experience a couple of them to know what you prefer. Second, I should have attended more networking events earlier at IUS. IUS offers great opportunities for students looking for an internship! One of them is to attend the Accounting and Finance Career Day. Many employers attend this event, including public and corporate. If you go to this event you will meet great people, so don’t be scared! There is also a golf scramble which employers attend to meet potential interns. During this time you should also try to see if you think they would be someone you could work with. The people I will work with is a big factor for me when deciding on what offer to accept. Everyone at Monroe Shine have been awesome and I know I made a great choice! In conclusion, networking events are a perfect way to meet employers, so whenever you are ready to complete an internship they will most likely remember you and you will remember them.           

             Finally, I should have completed more interviews as a freshman and sophomore. On-campus interviews are a great start, especially if you are nervous. You will start to feel more confident and this will help with the off-campus interviews. I completed 6 on-campus interviews as well as multiple off-campus interviews. I definitely felt more confident after the first couple of interviews. Don’t worry if you do not receive an offer after all those interviews because those interviews will be great practice! You will most likely receive an offer during or after your junior year. This is why I recommend starting early with interviews and completing as many as possible.   

            Accounting is a dynamic career, changes are constant. During the coronavirus, I was able to witness the impact it had on tax law and businesses. Businesses relied on CPAs and lawyers because of the changes within tax. Once you gain more experience, you will research questions clients have and advise them on what to do in their situation. Accounting is in high demand and it is also a secure career because of businesses still needing their services. I hope this helps!

~ Rey Sierra-Escobedo (A 2020 Spring & Summer Accounting Monroe Shine Intern)

“Insightful Internship Interview Information” by Intern, Nick Taylor

During my undergraduate tenure at the University of Kentucky there were a handful of internship opportunities that the University offered. Job searching can be competitive for fresh college graduates so securing in an internship before you graduate would be my best advice.

Also, you don’t have to wait until your senior year to start interviewing for internships. Yes, you will have a better chance of getting one if you are an upperclassman or if you are available to start working for the company sooner than the other applicants but getting interview experience is very important. I would suggest starting to apply for internships your junior year through a university program. I can only speak for UK but I am sure that Louisville, IU, and others have great programs that help students find jobs.

At the beginning stages of applying I think that it would be a great idea to apply for as many interviews as you can. Because again the more interviewing experience you have the more comfortable you will be and the better chance you will have a landing a job. If you fit the GPA and Degree requirements you most likely will get a first round interview. Another plus about applying for a job at a University is that the first round of interviews are on campus and for me that was a comfortable environment.   I also think that it is a good idea to apply for as many interviews as you can because you want to be able to choose what company fits you the best or if you do not make it past the first interview of your preferred place of work then you will have other options to explore.

Usually the firm will have an HR representative and a newly hired staff member interviewing you on campus, (like Mallary and Blake) to see how well you blend with the company. I would highly suggest wearing a suit to the interviews even though the dress code only requires a jacket, it can only help you by looking Professional. If you make it past the first stage of interviews the second round of interviews will usually take place at the firms location. The second interview can be lengthier and usually entails an office tour as well. You most likely will speak with at least one partner during this visit and a more experienced staff accountant. I want to reiterate again that experience with both stages of interviews will immensely increase your chances of landing a job before you graduate.

Lastly I think it is important to stay ahead of the game when applying for these positions. I would suggest applying for the spots early and setting up an interview time right when you get a notification. Usually you can apply for these jobs before your major class assignments or tests are scheduled because it’s still early in the year when the slots open. So don’t be lazy, get a jump on the process while there isn’t much school work going on because anyone that has gone through college knows that projects and tests can unpleasantly all hit you at once!  

~ Nick Taylor (A 2018 Spring & Summer Monroe Shine Accounting Intern)