Real-Life Skills Accounting Students Need

Kate McNeil, CPA, CMA, CFM, Associate Professor of Accounting, worked with one of her former firms, MarksNelson, to be a part of on-campus recruiting during the of Fall 2022. She talked to many recruiters and former students to see what the process was like and what students were doing well and where they could improve to set themselves apart. She then interviewed the new hires at MarksNelson, across all departments, about what skills they felt they were well prepared with and what they needed more of. She also interviewed some former students that were new to the profession. Finally, she interviewed the supervisors of the new hires to see what the supervisors believed the new hires do well and what needs improvement.Results are summarized in the attached presentation, which has been incorporated into accounting classes and presented to students, faculty, and advisory board members.· I worked with one of my former firms, MarksNelson, to be a part of on-campus recruiting during Fall 2022. I talked to a lot of recruiters and former students to see what the process was like and what students were doing well and where they could improve to set themselves apart. It was fun to run into students, some of whom were looking for internships and jobs, and some of whom were recruiting.