Career Corner

Where are Alumnis now?

The Accounting Club would like to periodically feature KU Accounting Alumni to afford current students an opportunity to view the different career paths KU graduates have chosen. Also, we hope to create opportunities to involve alumni in our club and to facilitate networking between students and alumni. To participate, please email us.

The following are a list of KU Accounting Alumni, alphabetized and divided into specializations:

Corporate Accounting

• Ethelinda L. Adams — graduated from KU in May 2002. She is currently working as an Internal Auditor for Sovereign Bank. Ethelinda's future career goals include obtaining an MBA and CPA designation while remaining in corporate accounting.
• Kimberly A. Brainard (Lehman) — is the GL Control Manager at JP Morgan Private Bank in Newark, DE. Since graduating from KU in May 1994, she worked as a finance manager for Rollins Truck Leasing and Citibank. Kimberly also passed the CPA exam in May 2000 and is currently working toward certification. Her advice to students is "Take on any challenge. Whether you win or lose, you will certainly grow from the experience!"
• Anthony J. Folino III — is the Chief Financial Officer for Graham Partners, a private equity firm in Philadelphia that focuses on acquiring and investing in privately held middle-market industrial companies. After graduating in 1992, Tony worked for Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he audited clients in a number of different industries which includes manufacturing, financial services, healthcare and non-profits. One of his clients was Kutztown University. He also worked for Saint-Gobain Corporation as an Internal Auditor and a Senior Analyst, with a primary focus on financial reporting and analysis and as a controller of a $100M division of IKON Office Solutions before joining Graham Partners in 1999. Tony feels “Success is predicated on 99% hard work and 1% good luck. By working hard you will put yourself in the right place at the right time.” He also advises students to “show employers (before graduation) that you have been thinking about your career by doing one or two internships. After graduation, put together a career plan with very specific and challenging goals for 1-yr, 3-yrs, and 5-yrs. Update your goals at least once a year.” He also suggests to work toward a CPA and/or an MBA.
• Carol D. Gauker (Moyer) — graduated in May 1996 and is the International Tax Manager for Lehigh Cement Company. Carol started her career with Exide Corporation as an assistant tax analyst. She spent four years at Exide and advanced to a senior tax analyst. She then had a brief stay at Yuasa/Enersys as a Tax Compliance Manager. After that, Carol spent two years at KPMG LLP, starting as a supervising senior tax analyst and finishing as a tax manager.
• Anthony J. Mackiewicz Jr — is the Controller for Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller PC, a law firm in Cherry Hill, NJ. He began his accounting career at a public accounting firm in Cherry Hill after graduating in May 1999. Anthony feels that “even if you aren’t the best student, there is so much that you can do if you just work 150%.”
• Brett Rathman — is a former treasurer of the Accounting Club and a May 2002 graduate of KU. He works as a Staff Accountant in the fixed asset department of Penske Truck Leasing. He advises students to "be patient. Good things are bound to happen."
• Michael J. Schwartz — graduated in 1991. After graduation, he went to work for AT&T Microelectronics. After two unique IPOs (Lucent & Agere), he is now the Controller of a $400M division with Agere Systems in Allentown, PA. Throughout his career, his experiences have included accounting for Research & Development, cost accounting, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations. Also, he passed the CPA exam in 1992 and received his MBA from Lehigh University in 1997. Michael has a lot of advice for future grads. He feels you should “find a trusted mentor, (but) be yourself. Stretch yourself, and try anything in business at least once. Avoid becoming a ‘number-cruncher.’ Instead, strive to be a business partner whose presence is demanded at the decision-making table. With everything you do, engage others, be passionate, articulate, professional, enthusiastic, and above all – never compromise your principles and ethics.”
• Dan Stein — is a May 2002 graduate and a former president of the Accounting Club. He is working for Penske Truck Leasing as a Staff Accountant in vehicle capitalization. Dan plans to sit for the CPA exam in May 2003 and also obtain an MBA in the next 3 to 4 years. "The only advice I can give is to keep your mind and your options open and trust your education."
• Andrea Soltys — is a 1995 graduate of KU. She is a Senior Accountant with CRC Industries and has been with the company for approximately 3 1/2 years. She also earned a MBA in May 2001. Andrea aspires to become a controller of an organization.
• Tom Williams — currently is a Business Manager for SEI Investments. His team essentially acts as the “CFO” for the businesses they support. Tom, a 1990 graduate and CPA, has worked in many areas of accounting. He spent his first year with a small CPA firm outside of Pottstown, PA, where he focused on tax but also had exposure to small businesses and governmental agencies. He then worked for SEI Investments in various positions to include Supervisor of Mutual Fund Accounting Group and Internal Auditor for six years. As a supervising senior for Ernst & Young, Tom concentrated on public accounting of the financial services industry. Before returning to SEI Investments, he was an internal auditor for Air Products. Tom received his MBA from St. Joseph's. His advice to students is “Balance – Companies today, just like colleges, are looking for "whole" people who can bring different experiences and creativity to the table. I'm not suggesting any "Enron-like" activities but that there are many ways to look at a situation. Don't forget what you have learned in all aspects of your life and use it to be successful.”

Public Accounting: Audit

• Lora Angelisanti — is a Staff Accountant for Herbein & Company Inc., a public accounting firm based in Reading, PA. Since graduating in May 2002, Lora has completed various audits for pension plans, school districts, and not-for-profit organizations. She feels internships are "the best way to get your name out there and to secure a job."
• Jon Benfield — graduated from KU in May 1998. While in school, Jon did an internship in the accounting department of Radius Toothbrush in Kutztown. Jon feels his experiences from that internship helped him obtain an internship and full-time employment with Ernst & Young LLP, where he currently is a Senior Auditor. Jon's advice to students is “network, network, network! (Look) for someone that seems interested in your career such as a professor or supervisor and seek their guidance. Have them review your resume, ask for interviewing tips, and discuss your career interests.”
• Tadd Henninger — has worked for Ernst & Young LLP since graduating KU in May 1998. He received his CPA certification in May 2001 and is currently a Senior Accountant in E&Y's audit department. Tadd's advice to students is "determine your area of interest as early as possible, (because) the public accounting arena is extremely competitive among the Big 4 and regional accounting firms." He also feels that experience in public accounting is very beneficial regardless of your intended career path.
• Jason Mugridge — also is a Senior Auditor with Ernst & Young LLP. Since graduating in December 1999, his primary industry has been manufacturing. Jason feels that "public accounting is very team oriented" and that students should "take advantage of opportunities in your classes to experience the dynamics of working in a group."
• Jennifer O'Hara — graduated KU in May 2001 and is a former president of the KU Accounting Club. She currently works as a Staff Associate in the Harrisburg Assurance and Advisory Services office of Ernst & Young LLP.
• Kimberly Hedden Stank — is a Senior Associate with Ernst & Young LLP. After graduating KU in 1995, she worked for Herbein & Company for 2 1/2 years during which she passed her CPA exam. She has primarily audited government and not-for-profit clients for both firms. Also, Kimberly became a mother in Fall 2001 and currently takes advantage of E&Y's flexible scheduling by working 3 days a week. Kimberly attests that "the CPA exam is achievable." She also emphasizes to students to "study hard and take it as soon as possible...especially before your adult life becomes too adult."

Public Accounting: Tax

• Ethel Nawrocki (Lape) — graduated KU in May 1987 and received her MBA from the University of North Carolina in May 1989. She worked for Dixon Odom PLLC in Greensboro, NC, for 10 years before returning to Pennsylvania. She currently is a Manager in the tax department of Reinsel & Company LLP, a public accounting firm based in Reading, PA.
• Tammy A. Rinker — is a Staff Accountant for Clairmont Paciello & Co., P.C., a public accounting firm in King of Prussia, PA. After graduating KU in May 1999, she did work for IMS Health Resources' Vice President of Human Resources until August 1999, when she started with her current firm. Tammy is currently pursing her CPA certification. She encourages students to "go for your CPA" because she feels "it's the most important thing after you graduate."
• Steve Wolf — is a Manager in the Small Business and Tax departments of Herbein & Company, Inc. Before graduating in May 1992, he had an internship with Herbein & Company which ultimately led to his current position in the firm. He advises students to follow his example and take an internship position if possible. "You can earn some cash, have some fun, acquire some real life experience and possibly even find your future employer. Also, don't limit your opportunities. Public accounting is a great way to get experience and to see what accountants in other fields and industries do. It is also an excellent place to start building business skills and relationships."

Other Fields of Accounting

• Louis T. Dondero — graduated in May 1999 and practices in the governmental area of accounting. Louis is a Revenue Field Auditor II with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. He emphasizes to students that studying is important for a career in accounting.
• Kevin Foreman — is a Revenue Field Auditor with the PA Department of Revenue. He graduated in May 2002 and feels his career decision was right for him. Kevin feels "with the opportunity to travel, I will get the chance to see all of our great nation, without the long work weeks and added stress compared to other jobs." His future plans include to pursue an MBA and CPA designation, to start his own business, and possibly become an accounting professor. Kevin feels "an accounting degree is what you make of it; you have the key to unlock any door."
• Jennifer Hefkin — is the Accounting Supervisor with Swigart Associates in Huntingdon, PA, and specializes in insurance accounting. Since graduating KU in May 1994, she has also worked in corporate accounting for 2 years and earned her CPA license while being a tax accountant for 2 1/2 years.
• Charles Snyder — also graduated in May 1999 and works as a Revenue Field Auditor II with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. He did an internship with the department while in school. Charles urges students to consider the government among their job options. He states that there are "plenty of openings (that) provide excellent travel opportunities without the stress of working long hours. Overall, (the PA Department of Revenue was) a great choice for me."
• Ken Steward — graduated in 1988 and is the Assistant Comptroller for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He also worked as the University's Director of Internal Audit from 1995 to 1997. Before working for KU, Ken was a taxation audit specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and a business analyst for Dun & Bradstreet. Ken obtained his MBA in 1992 and holds the CPA designation.
• Michael Tunke — has been working for AXA Advisors since he graduated in December 2002. He assists individuals and businesses in the areas of retirement planning, group benefits, risk management, and investments.