DePaul’s accountancy school offers several organizations to meet the needs of its student body. These important groups help students to develop their early professional skills in networking, communication and teamwork. Each year, the groups host several events. Here, each group highlights its main event and the value it provides students.
ACCOUNTING CLUB
The Accounting Club delivered a Speed Networking event, an opportunity for students to learn about a variety of middle-market and big firms within a short period of time. Firm representatives rotated among tables of three to four students to discuss their firms for 10 minutes before moving on to the next table.
Students received feedback from professionals about their resumes and asked questions about work in the accounting profession, including why the representatives like their jobs and what their daily work involves. This unique event allowed students to be able to ask more questions than a student would ask at a typical networking event.
ASCEND
Ascend’s main event of the year was its Ladder Up tax preparation volunteering opportunity for its members and other accounting students. After realizing that there was a serious need for volunteers to prepare income tax returns in Chicago communities, the group decided to take the lead and coordinate the volunteering effort at DePaul. This meant setting up group training sessions and volunteer days for students to digest new information and be of service while working alongside their like-minded peers.
In total, 40 volunteers devoted more than 400 hours to help Chicago residents with their tax returns. Student feedback from the event demonstrated that they were glad they could use their inclination toward numbers, details and accuracy to serve the wider community.
ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS
In the past year, the DePaul ACFE chapter held events that focused on a variety of aspects of forensic accounting and the fraud examination field. The most popular one was the Deloitte Forensic Workshop, in which the Deloitte Forensic Accounting and Investigation Department introduced the firm’s investigation and business analytics practices.
The workshop provided students who are interested in forensic accounting with profound insights about business analytics technology used within the field, intermediate methodologies practiced during interviews with a potential fraudster, and career development advice from the principal of the department. The presentation also trained students to understand the structure and organization of the department. Students had the opportunity to network with professionals as well as peers with similar career goals.
BETA ALPHA PSI
Every fall Beta Alpha Psi hosts Meet the Firms, the signature recruiting and networking event for accounting students.In fall 2016, Meet the Firms hosted 35 firms and companies, as well as career resources for students, such as the DePaul Career Center, CPA Review programs and alumni.
The annual event brings together students, financial services firms and corporations during the peak of recruiting season. Students have the opportunity to network, make connections and develop strong relationships as they learn more about internships and jobs.
GRADUATE STUDENTS FOR ACCOUNTING
The Deloitte Roundtable was the feature event delivered by the GSA last academic year. The organization hosted professionals from tax, audit and advisory services, providing a great experience for students to build a strong bridge with the professionals. Deloitte professionals discussed their daily work, as well as information about the firm and its services.
Following the event, there was a marked increase in students’ interest in establishing their networks. GSA was able to grow its membership as a result. Its focus on communication among students, members and professionals fostered student professional development.
INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS
The school now offers a student chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors. The purpose of IIA is to provide students with an educational and social organization that promotes knowledge related to internal auditing and information technology auditing. IIA also promotes the professional certifications of affiliated organizations in accounting and develops future leaders in these professions.
MIDWEST ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC ACCOUNTANTS
The DePaul chapter of MAHA hosts an event every year titled “Dia De La Familia,” or “Day of the Family,” where students and their families are invited to gain a greater understanding of the DePaul MAHA community. This event provides a unique way for families with different backgrounds to come together and share their experiences, as well as celebrate the success that DePaul students share.
Additionally, the organization delivers a full calendar of networking events during MAHA Week, including events with the Big Four accounting firms as well as firms outside of the Big Four. MAHA membership is a way for students to get involved with DePaul as well as to improve skillsets that employers are looking for in accounting graduates.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS
NABA hosted NABA Night on the River, a networking dinner to promote student development that gave students an opportunity to meet representatives from major corporations in a small-group environment. Recruiters from Boeing, Procter & Gamble and Nike attended the most recent event and were seeking to recruit NABA chapter members. Another initiative, NABA Week, held during February in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month, featured a series of events to network with recruiters and help other students with their professional advancement.
Through these events and its NABA Regional Conference, the organization provides career pathways for underrepresented students. Workshops are geared toward mentoring minority students by providing tips on academic success and advice on how to work with peers and other professionals in the industry.