"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)

"The Power of Positive Thinking" by Staff Accountant, Rachael Creger

When I was a student at UofL I was gifted a copy of Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. It collected dust on my shelf like most non-school books, and then got thrown in a box when I graduated and moved out of my apartment by campus. This past week, over a year since boxing up all my possessions after purchasing my house, I finally started to unpack my boxes of books. I stumbled upon this gift and flipped right to that day’s page. I’ve continued the habit of checking my book nightly before bed and something about last night’s quote, "Always maintain hopefulness, especially when the going is hard," really spoke to me.

College is a tough time, recruiting season is a tough time, and tax season is a tough time – if I’ve learned anything through college and the beginning of my career, it is that a little bit of positivity goes a very long way when the going gets hard. One bit of positivity that gets me through the most stressful of days is knowing that when I get home, I won’t have to do more work, unlike college and the seemingly never ending reading to do or projects to complete.

One of the hardest parts of my second tax season was leaving work, sitting through a 3 hour night class, going home and studying into the wee hours of the morning and attempting to pull myself together and do it all again the next day. One of the highlights of my third tax season (third?! That’s weird to say!) is that when I finally shut down my computer at the end of the night and went home, I didn’t have to worry about cramming for my finance exam, or squeezing in an online quiz before midnight.

So many people through my life have told me that college prepares you for the real world, but after a mere 15 months in the “real world”, I’d like to dispel that myth. Yes, college does prepare you for some of the knowledge you’ll need in your career, but the two are so different. My little nugget of positivity for you is that eventually, at the end of all the late nights and coffee-fueled study sessions you can trade all of that in for an amazing career at a company you love where you will still be consuming large amounts of coffee but where it will all finally be worth it!

Every all-nighter, every tear shed over the regret of procrastinating, every $300 textbook will be worth it someday! I rest easy knowing that I worked my butt off for 4 long years to get my dream job at an amazing firm. So hold on tight, because these next few semesters will be hard and busy and overwhelming at times, but I promise that someday you will look back on your college experience and be so glad that you filled your time with late night study sessions and tax season internships. Good luck this recruiting season and good luck with the rest of your career – college & otherwise.

 

 

"Life After 22 - The Non-traditional Student's Guide to Recruiting Season." by Staff Accountant, Jackie Bach

Greetings Students! My name is Jackie Bach, I’m a first year Staff Accountant here at Monroe Shine, and I’m excited to have the chance to dole out some nuggets of wisdom acquired from my time spent making the transition from (constantly struggling) non-traditional student to (only sometimes struggling) new staff member. My hope is that by the end of this post you’ll feel a little less panicked, a little more confident, and a lot more excited about tackling the upcoming challenges the next few months have to offer. Buckle up you guys, recruiting season is officially upon us!

For those who don’t know, recruiting season is comprised of resumes, socials, interviews, and more accounting-themed swag than you ever thought possible. It’s stress, excitement, and anticipation all balled up into a mad scramble for the perfect internship. It’s like the Hunger Games but for accounting nerds and the prize is a coveted spot on a prestigious team where you can finally see some of the things you’ve learned put into action. Simply put: It’s kind of a big deal.

As arguably one of the most important times in a new accountant’s career it’s easy to imagine that the typical college student dedicates a substantial portion of their time to preparing for, attending, and following up on a myriad of events. This, of course, is in addition to the time spent worrying, revising a resume 843 times, and trying to iron every pair of dress pants you own at the last minute because you didn’t take them to the drycleaners like your mom told you. Regular students must contend with these standard recruiting season hurdles on a nearly daily basis; however, there is an ever growing and often under-represented demographic of students that are met with additional obstacles despite making up a large portion of the eligible recruiting base. These students are non-traditional students.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, non-traditional students are defined by one of seven characteristics: delayed enrollment into post-secondary education; attends college part-time; works full time; is financially independent (for financial aid purposes); has dependents other than a spouse; is a single parent; or does not have a high school diploma. This can also include students returning to college for career changes or enhancements. I was a traditional student when I got my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and I was a non-traditional student when I went back two years later to get my certificate in accounting and ultimately my Master’s degree. The difference between the two experiences was like day and night - no, literally, I took night classes all through the certificate and Master’s programs.

It’s easy to feel alienated when going back to or starting college at a different stage in your life. You’re probably older than everyone (except your fellow nontraditional students), your expectations are different, even the way you learn has evolved and that’s just the changes in the CLASSROOM. Additionally you have to face the constant everyday conflict between your life obligations and your educational obligations! Kids, a spouse, bills, work, a water pipe that decides to bust as you sit down to take a quiz, or a neighbor’s dog that has the uncanny ability to sense when you sit down write a paper and proceeds to bark for FOUR. HOURS. STRAIGHT.

So now, amongst all the difficulties that come with being a non-traditional student, it’s recruiting season. You’re officially in competition with your peers and other candidates from other schools. It’s go time, and the pressure to perform tends to come with it’s own arsenal of ways to tear apart your confidence and commitment. But you’ve got this! If you can survive all of the things listed above then you can most certainly come out on the other side of recruiting season unscathed and hopefully even employed!

If this is your first recruiting season (or second, or third…) here are just a few common misconceptions, things you can expect, and (hopefully helpful) tips and tricks to help get you through:

• You will NOT be able to attend every single event every single time. And that’s okay!
• My first recruiting season was filled with absolute dread when I looked at the schedule of events. I was working full-time and most, if not ALL, events were always during work hours or would be over by the time I got out of work. I never felt like I could ask to leave early either - I mean really, how do you justify asking, “Hey, mind if I leave early to go to an accounting social in an attempt to pursue other potential employers?” Doesn’t quite sit right, does it? If you have the ability to go to an event or if you have an employer that understands then absolutely go for it! If not then don’t sweat it! I promise that there will be events that you can attend and most firms even hold their own events after hours that are open to students.

• You WILL get selected for an on-campus interview and inevitably the only times left will be times when you are at work.
• This one can be a bit tricky. While schools have made huge strides in making a lot of programs more accessible to non-traditional students this is generally one area that continues to fall short. The simple solution is to take a personal day or some personal time out of work but realistically that’s not always an option for a lot of non-traditional students. If you find yourself struggling to find a way to make the interview times work reach out to the contact provided by the firm. Many firms will be understanding of your specific needs and are willing to make some special accommodations.

•  “Why would I waste my time with recruiting season? I don’t need an internship, I need a JOB.”
• I hear you loud and clear, my friend. Once you get to a certain age or a certain point in your life you’re used to being gainfully employed and having life obligations that have to be met (Netflix ain’t gonna pay for itself, am I right?). The thought of downgrading to something that isn’t set in stone just to possibly further your career can be terrifying. Here’s the good news: recruiting season isn’t just about interns! Because of the comprehensive career placement offered by most schools now, a lot of firms also recruit for full-time staff positions during recruiting season. Don’t worry about knowing everything as a first year staff either, you’ll be just as clueless as the interns and that’s to be expected.

• “It’s taken me forever just to get to this point, why would a firm even want me?”
• Chances are, if you’re like me, accounting wasn’t necessarily your first choice (Marine Biology - don’t judge me). Maybe you got your bachelor’s degree in something else, didn’t like it (or use it) and wanted a change. Maybe instead of going to college right away you went into the workforce instead. Maybe you didn’t have the opportunity to go to college or the time wasn’t right. Whatever the reason may be, you’re here now. The thing that really sets you apart from your peers is the level of commitment you have to being here right now despite all of the difficulties you have faced and will continue to face. You went out into the world, saw all the things it had to offer, and you chose this. What firm wouldn’t want that kind of passion and dedication?

I’d love to tell you that it gets easier but at the end of the day we’re all passengers on the same old struggle-bus. What I will tell you is that you shouldn’t give up because you are on track to have an amazing career. If you stick with this you will get to work with some of the most amazingly talented and informed professionals ever (shout out to my Monroe Shine work family!). You’ll find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in your work. You’ll be driven to learn more and achieve more than you ever thought possible. You’ve already worked so hard and made it this far - take it all the way! I’ll tell you what I always tell myself: if it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it.

~ Jackie

"It's the Most Wonderful Time, of the Year..." by Staff Accountant, Rachael Creger

I bet you sang the title, didn’t you? No… I’m not talking about Christmas (116 days away – but who’s counting?) I’m talking about the real “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – internship recruiting season! And it is finally upon us!

Today kicks off Recruiting Season, and all of us at Monroe Shine could not be more excited! This is one of my favorite times of the year; I love getting to visit schools (especially UofL) and helping Mallary with recruiting. I can’t believe that is was 3 years ago that I met Mallary & Butch at the UofL Accounting Social, and this afternoon I’ll be attending that same event alongside them!

A close second to Recruiting Season, is Tax Season… A lot of people outside of our field think that public accountants are just so busy during Tax Season, and then sit around doing nothing the rest of the year… And I’ll be honest, up until a few years ago – that was kind of my impression too. It wasn’t until I started talking to more accountants and learning more about their careers that I really began to see the bigger picture.

When we’re not running around like chickens with our heads cut off on April 14^th, we’re still really busy! The rest of the year is filled with audits, internal control assessments, and returns that were on extension; as well as fun little things like bookkeeping, and payroll or sales tax returns. Although no matter what the rest of the year holds – I still love tax season… :)

Something about the longer to-do lists, and the extra hustle in everything really makes me thrive. Knowing that after I finish my current task, I’ve got a bunch more to do, makes me work a bit harder. I think everyone in the firm thrives off the organized chaos – there is so much going on, and everyone is working on such a variety of things, but somehow at the end of the day (or end of tax season) we all make it work.

My two tax seasons with Monroe Shine have been two completely different experiences; neither one was better than the other. I think both really helped me grow as an accountant and as a person. During my first tax season, I was working a nice 40 hour week (we don’t like to overload our interns), and I wasn’t taking any classes. I was a junior at UofL, and quit my old part-time job so I could really focus on my internship. This first tax season internship was for school credit through UofL – which is something that you should definitely explore taking advantage of when you’re getting ready to do your internship! I remember feeling super clueless at first, but eventually figuring a lot out and gaining so much knowledge along the way.

My second tax season was a completely different beast. I was taking 15 credit hours, spread between online classes, an 8 a.m. and some night classes. In the beginning of the semester I was working about 35 hours around my school schedule. But after the March 15^th deadline rolled around and we all started to focus on our big April 18^th deadline, (it was a Monday this year – so weird), then my schedule ramped up to about 45 hours a week. Juggling school and a full-time internship was very difficult at times, there were many mornings when making it to my 8 am class was difficult because I was up late studying after my night class. And there were so many afternoons where I would’ve rather stayed at the office then gone back to campus for class… But somehow I survived, tax season was conquered – and my LAST SEMESTER of school was complete!

However you decide to juggle school and interning, is up to you… But my best advice would be that for your first internship, keep your course load as light as possible. Take as few classes as possible and maybe try an online class so you have some more flexibility in your schedule. We have had part-time interns before, so if you really want to intern but can’t take a semester off (like I did) or take a lighter course schedule, a lot of firms are willing to work around that! And then maybe if you do a second tax season internship like I did, you’ll better be able to assess whether or not you can handle a schedule like that. Every student/intern is unique, and at the end of the day – your future employer wants what’s best for their interns!

"If i knew then what i know now." by Staff Accountant, Rachael Creger

Thanks for tuning back in for my second post of this year’s series. Sadly, I haven’t been able to think of a witty title like last year’s Declassified Internship Recruiting Guide...  but then again, I don’t think anything could top last year’s posts.

 

This year I’ve decided to take a bit more of a focus on the post-recruiting life. I’ve been with Monroe Shine now for about 20 months. I started in January 2015 as a tax season intern, continued through the summer and fall as a part-time intern, and then a second tax season as an intern. I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to continue my career with Monroe Shine as a Staff Accountant. It has been a bit of a change but all great ones!

 

One thing that has been so different from one tax season to the next is developing confidence in my knowledge and skills. This is something that I know will just continue to grow with time, and is something I know you all will attain one day. I remember my first tax season feeling so clueless and asking so many questions. Even by the end of tax season, I felt like I had learned a lot, but I didn’t really grasp just how much information I had actually learned.

 

It wasn’t until my second tax season rolled around that I realized I actually knew some stuff... In January we got two new tax season interns in the Louisville office, and just like I was a year earlier, they had many questions. Most days, I would answer a question and think to myself “how did I know that?” or “where did that come from?”

 

This has been one of my favorite things about gaining so much knowledge and experience in my short time with Monroe Shine. I think that interning can be so beneficial not only as a learning experience, but as a great way to get your foot into the door with a company you see yourself having a potential future with.  Even months after tax season has ended, I still continue to surprise myself with the knowledge I have gained.  What I know now, has barely scratched the surface of what I will learn in a lifetime in this profession; I’ve probably learned a tenth of a percent in the last 15 months, of what I’ll learn in the next 40 years – and I’m so excited for this journey.

"Is it really recruiting season, again?" by Staff Accountant, Rachael Creger

Wow! Time really does fly when you’re having fun. I cannot believe that another recruiting season is upon us, and in a just few short months it will be another tax season with more new faces! This fall will be my fourth recruitment season, but only my second on this side of the fence. I had so much fun writing last year’s Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide, and was so excited to be asked to write another series of blog posts again this year.

 A year ago, I was just starting my senior year at the University of Louisville and was so excited to be continuing to intern with Monroe Shine. Way back in the fall of 2013, I met Butch and Mallary at UofL’s Accounting Social, and now – for the second year – I get to attend this amazing event alongside them.

A lot has changed in the last year, for both myself and for Monroe Shine. This past tax season was my second, and it was a completely different experience (more on that in a later post)... In May, I graduated from UofL with my Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, and began my career as a Staff Accountant with Monroe Shine. And just a few short weeks later, we moved to our new beautiful office located at 500 N. Hurstbourne Parkway. It was a stressful few days leading up to the move, but we all love this new space so much. And our cubicle area for staff and interns has more than doubled in size!
 

As I mentioned earlier, I am so excited to get to write more blog posts. Be sure to check out last year’s series by clicking on 2015 over on the right-hand side. Last year my focus was on giving the inside scoop and good advice based on my experience, this year’s focus is leaning more towards my personal experience at Monroe Shine and the wonderful transition from intern to full-time staff that I know each and every one of you will get to make someday soon! Stay tuned, and I can’t wait to meet all of y’all at various recruiting events this year!

 

A Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide by 2015 Intern, Rachael Creger: Part #5

"The Thank You Card"

The handwritten thank you card is a lost art. We have become so dependent on technology that a quick email feels like it is good enough. I’m not a recruiter, or an interviewer making hiring decisions, but I truly believe that my handwritten thank you notes have made a difference. Like I mentioned in my second post, I left last year’s recruiting event with 3 companies in mind. And each person from those three companies got a handwritten note. After my on campus interviews, each of my interviewers also got a thank you card. There’s a lot of good templates on various websites of basic patterns to follow. Because there are so many other resources out there, I’m not going to tell you what to put in your thank you card, but I will share how to master the lost art of the handwritten thank you.

• First and foremost get some nice stationary. Blank cards, with a very basic design or ones that simply say "thank you" on the outside in a nice font. I found my favorite set of cards at Target last year. Of course office supply stores have some basic stuff as well. If you’re design savvy and have a nice printer, consider making up some nice custom cards on thick paper instead!
• Practice, practice, practice! You just spent money on nice cards, and you should be writing them in black or blue ink. Write out your entire thank you card on some loose-leaf. Then very slowly, copy your message over. If you mess up, don’t cross through it or white it out. Start over.
• Make sure you are properly addressing them. If the firm has multiple offices, make sure it is going to the one that your interviewer is actually at. Clear handwriting is key! The outside of this envelope is the first thing they’ll see. Again, if you’re design savvy or have a nice printer, make some nice labels!
• Now this part, might just be my own personal belief. But the stamp you use matters! Go to the nearest post office and buy a sheet of nice stamps. Don’t use stamps with cartoons or celebrities on it. Avoid ones with political connotations. Last year I used a nice set of stamps with bonsai trees because it matches the color scheme of most of my cards. Simple stamps with a nature image or a simplistic design are the best.

P.S. Now I said that those notes from the interview would come in handy… use that info here. Reference your previous conversations.

~ Rachael (2015 Spring & Summer Intern)

A Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide by 2015 Intern, Rachael Creger: Part #4

"The Second Date"

Like I said in my last post, these recruiting events are like first dates. If things go well, and you don’t forget to apply for the on campus interview (like I did once), you’ll hopefully get invited to interview! This past recruitment season, I was invited to a few on campus interviews, and one phone interview. Obviously, if you’ve made it this far, you’ve made a great impression. On campus interviews, at least at UofL, are held in the career center. My first on campus interview was a total flop! And I will openly admit to it. I kind of knew what to expect… but not really. I didn’t have the best questions to ask the interviewer. But it was good practice. If your career center offers mock interviews, do it! Not taking advantage of that opportunity has been a big regret of mine. Tying back to my previous post, showing how you are different and making sure you stand out is crucial. At this point, the playing field has been narrowed. Chances are there is somewhere between 6 to 12 students per university being interviewed. Okay, so that is still a lot of competition, but now is your time to shine. Once you get invited to interview, do some more research! Yeah you might have skimmed their website before the previous recruiting event, but how much do you really know? Go see if you can find news articles about the firm. If you know who your interviewer will be, research them too! Being a very knowledgeable candidate is any easy way to make yourself stand out. Professional appearance and prepared questions are another two ways to show yourself off.

Bring copies of your resume with you. Granted, they will probably have a copy of it already from recruiting or from your application but showing that you are prepared for anything reflects very well on you! Make sure you have somewhere you can take notes. Don’t carry in a notebook with tattered edges, or the huge 3-ring binder you’ve been lugging around for 2 or 3 years. Go invest in a nice portfolio. Campus bookstores usually sell them, or you can find them at most office supply stores. It might cost a bit more than you’d like to spend, but remember it is an investment towards your professional future. Guys, if you’re wearing a black suit, with a black belt and black shoes, do not get a tan leather portfolio! It is always best to get something that is versatile. Personally I chose a blue leather portfolio, my nicest suit is navy and I like wearing blue tops a lot because it brings out my eyes. Yeah it sounds a little conceited, but I look put together and the blue is different! Inside this portfolio, stash away a few copies of your resume, as well as a legal notepad. On this legal notepad, jot down some ideas and questions you want to ask. A lot of these questions will get answered by your interviewer during the course of the conversation. Don’t forget to take notes, if not during then stop somewhere immediately after and jot down your thoughts. This will come in handy later. At the end they always ask if you have any questions, and even if they already answered the ones you prepared, make sure you ask them something! Of course I’m not going to share my personal favorite end-of-interview question… But there’s some pretty great articles out there. But a good thing to ask about is the follow up procedure or what their next step is. Some companies will email you within a week inviting you to a second interview or gently letting you know they’ve found other candidates. Others have weeks left of on campus interviews and won’t be making a decision for a month or so. Knowing a company’s follow up procedure takes the guess work out of waiting. If they say they’re going to make a decision by October 20th, just chill out until the 20th!
 

P.S. My pre-interview ritual consists of Googling "Job Interview Tips" and reading a random article from a reputable source. You might learn something new at the last minute, and it will push some good ideas towards the front of your mind. That’s how I found my favorite question to ask, minutes before walking into my interview for Monroe Shine.

~ Rachael (2015 Spring & Summer Intern)

A Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide by 2015 Intern, Rachael Creger: Part #3

"Put yourself out there!" 

This may or may not be the best analogy, but recruiting events are like first dates. You’re just meeting each other, asking basic questions, trying to get to know each other, testing the waters. Similarly to first dates, how it goes plays a big difference in whether or not there is a second date. Things may go great and you’ve got that second date in the bag! They may go alright and you might be getting a second chance, I mean date… Or they might decide that they really don’t want to go out on a second date.

Putting yourselves out there at these recruiting events is the first step towards your future. Get out there, shake all the hands you possibly can, make sure the recruiters know you’re interested! For me, it took some trial and error to land my dream internship with an amazing company like Monroe Shine, but if anything I’ve learned a thing or two from the recruiting process these past few years.

• If you don't have a LinkedIn account, get one and make it professional!
• Spend some time working on your resume, and make sure to have your school's career center take a look at it!
• Buy yourself a new tie or blouse, because everyone feels awesome in new clothes. Think of it as investing in your future business professional wardrobe!
• Do some research. The recruiters love it when you have an educated question that is specific to their company and not a generic one!
• Make sure to include when you'll have your 150 credit hours needed to get your CPA license, as well as your accounting class only GPA listed on your resume. Recruiters will ask those questions and it's good to have that info included for their review later.

Remember that these recruiters are meeting hundreds of students at a handful of schools. What makes you different? It’s the tiniest things that make the difference. At the end of the day, a high GPA or extracurricular activities aren’t the final factor between you and the next candidate. They care about who you are as a person. What do you care passionately about? What are your goals and aspirations? Why do you want to work in this field?

And P.S. A handwritten thank you card is rare nowadays, so go buy some nice stationary. Happy Recruiting! Good luck this fall, both in and out of the classroom!
~ Rachael (2015 Spring & Summer Intern)

A Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide by 2015 Intern, Rachael Creger: Part #2

"Tis the season - recruiting season that is!"

Recruiting season is an interesting time of the year. Starting just a week or so after the beginning of fall semester, sometimes pursuing an internship can feel like an extra course. Each university does things a bit differently, so of course our paths may be different during recruitment. I know from experience that UofL’s College of Business – Ulmer Career Management Center does so much for the students. Each university has their own way of doing accounting internship recruiting, some have huge career fairs, and some have small fun events like UofL’s Accounting Social. The Accounting Social has been a great kick off to my fall semesters. I first attended as a sophomore, freshly transferred to UofL from Ball State University. I remember being so nervous to go up to the tables and chat with the representatives from so many companies, both big and small. Once you get past that little bump in the road, it becomes so much fun! Of course all the companies send their friendliest, funniest employees, and everyone is so nice and welcoming. Having just transferred to UofL I was kind of in an awkward place; I had to retake a few classes for which credits didn’t transfer, and kind of do things out of order to catch up with my classmates. Some of the representatives from other companies made it clear exactly what they were looking for and I knew I wasn’t qualified. That day I met Butch Shaw and Mallary Snyder from Monroe Shine, and I guess you could say that was a bit of a turning point in my college career. They were so welcoming and gave me tons of great information about themselves and Monroe Shine. After chatting with them, I had some hope!


Last fall, my junior year, I attended the Accounting Social with my intentions set. I knew exactly who I wanted to talk to. I researched a handful of companies and had worked tirelessly the last year to make myself a more marketable candidate. I polished up my resume, perfected my LinkedIn profile, and went in there with the end goal in mind. Of course, I got to chat with Butch and Mallary again! That afternoon I left with three companies in mind (Monroe Shine being one of them) and told myself that I was going to try my hardest to score an internship with one of them! That evening I spent a few hours applying to as many on-campus interviews as I possibly could. For the UofL accounting majors reading my post, the Accounting Social this year is September 1^st, 4-6:30pm in the Brown & Williamson Club which is inside Papa John's Stadium. IU, IUS, UK and Bellarmine students, be sure to check our "College Opportunities" page on our website to see when we will be on visiting your campus next! We can't wait to meet you!

http://monroeshine.com/collegerecruiting.php

And P.S. The Accounting Social always has great snacks. And who doesn’t love free food!?

~ Rachael (2015 Spring & Summer Intern

A Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide by 2015 Intern, Rachael Creger: Part #1

"Why Intern?!"

Hey all! My name is Rachael Creger and I am currently a senior at University of Louisville. I’ve been a spring and summer intern in our Louisville office. These last 7 months or so have been an amazing and rewarding experience. Professors and parents always tell us that real-world, hands-on experience teaches you more than lectures do, and up until this spring I didn’t really believe that. After surviving my first busy-season, as well as a much quieter summer, I can wholeheartedly agree with that statement. I have learned so much during my time at Monroe Shine from my coworkers, the partners, and other interns. A lot of students shy away from interning because they don’t want to take a semester off, or only take a partial course load, or a variety of other excuses. Regardless of what you need to do, what strings you need to pull, an internship is 100% worth it! If you are on the fence about trying to land an internship this school year, this is your sign that you need to do it!

During my past two recruitment seasons I’ve gotten a lot of great advice from professors and my school’s Career Center, but I wished I had a good friend who had already gone through an internship at a firm who would just tell it like it is. So welcome to my Declassified Internship Recruiting Survival Guide. Over the next few weeks of recruiting season I’ll be posting little chunks of wisdom and some fun anecdotes. Enjoy!

~ Rachael (2015 Spring and Summer Intern)

College Recruitment is Officially Here!

Monroe Shine is excited to be returning to several college campuses over the next few weeks! We will be looking for driven and hardworking students who are eager to either find a great internship opportunity, or are hungry to begin a career. If you are a student at one of the colleges listed below, be sure to come visit us at one of  our 2015’s recruiting events. We can't wait to meet you!

• Bellarmine University - Accounting Association Presentation & Tour of Monroe Shine's Louisville Office: 
  • Date: Monday, August 31^st
  • Time: 6:00 pm
  • Location: Monroe Shine & Co., Inc. 1200 Forest Bridge Road, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40223
• University of Louisville - Fall 2015 Accounting Social: 
  • Date: Tuesday, September 1^st 
  • Time: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
  • Location: Brown & Williamson Club in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
• Indiana University, Southeast - Accounting Career Day: 
  • Date: Friday, September 11^th
  • Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Location: University Center North - Hoosier Room
• Indiana University, Southeast - School of Business Golf Scramble: 
  • Date: Friday, September 25^th
  • Time: 8:00 am
  • Location: Champions Pointe Golf Club

 
This fall, we will be interviewing for 2016 Tax Season Internship positions!  Below is a list of dates we will be conducting on-campus interviews.

• Bellarmine University - Wednesday, September 16^th 
• University of Louisville - Thursday, September 17^th
• Indiana University, Southeast - Tuesday, September 22^nd
• University of Kentucky - Wednesday, September 30^th
• Indiana University - Monday, October 12th

Office fun at Monroe Shine!

At Monroe Shine, we have a team approach that extends outside of the work we do everyday. We have fun activities during busy season, a family picnic, a holiday party, an after tax season celebration party, employee get-togethers, an employee golf scramble, and even a team in the CPA basketball league!! We are proud to say, in 2015 our team won the big championship tournament and brought home the trophy!! It is proudly displayed in our Louisville office!

The league begins right at the beginning of tax season, so we cannot wait to add our new intern recruits to the team!!

2014 Recruiting Tip #7: Have Fun - 25 Jokes Only Accountants Will Love!

May 19th is National Accounting Day, and it's the perfect time to celebrate the brave souls who balance our books, sort out our files, and lead the way through tax season.

To thank the pros who crunch the numbers so we don't have to, we polled accountants and auditors and scoured the web to round up 25 jokes that only accountants will love.

1. Welcome to the accounting department, where everybody counts.
2. What does CPA stand for? Can't Pass Again.
3. It's accrual world.
4. It's 4:04. Do you know where your auditor is?
5. Where do homeless accountants live? In a tax shelter.
6. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
7. How do you know you have a great CPA? He has a tax loophole named after him.
8. What do you call an accountant with an opinion? An auditor.
9. An accountant is someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don’t understand.
10. Why did the accountant cross the road? Because she looked in the files and did what they did last year.
11. How does Santa's accountant value his sleigh? Net Present Value.
12. What do accountants suffer from that ordinary people don’t? Depreciation.
13. Why are accountants always so calm, composed, and methodical? They have strong internal controls.
14. Be audit you can be.
15. What do you call a financial controller who always works through lunch, takes two days holiday every two years, is in the office every weekend, and leaves every night after 10 p.m.? Lazy.
16. What do you call a trial balance that doesn't balance? A late night.
17. An economist is someone who didn't have enough personality to become an accountant.
18. Why do economists exist? So accountants have someone to laugh at.

19. What's the difference between an accountant and a lawyer? The accountant knows he's boring.

20. What do you call a group financial controller who's lost his job? Bob.
21. How can you tell when the chief accountant is getting soft? When he actually listens to marketing before saying no.
22. There are just two rules for creating a successful accountancy business: 1. Don't tell them everything you know. 2. [Redacted]
23. What's an actuary? An accountant without the sense of humor.
24. What do actuaries do to liven up their office party? Invite an accountant.
25. Four Laws of Accounting:
      1. Trial balances don't.
      2. Bank reconciliations never do.
      3. Working capital does not.
      4. Return on investments never will.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jokes-for-accountants-2014-5#ixzz3CN53TU8G