Meet the Firms 2026

Students engage with employers at a College of Business Meet the Firms networking event. Business professionals speak with students dressed in professional attire, while other attendees network throughout the crowded event space.

On September 17th, 2026, KU’s Accounting Club held its annual Meet the Firms night inside the MSU. The networking event is an opportunity for students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, involved with the Accounting Club to build personal and professional connections with potential employers.

With thirteen firms in attendance and one to four representatives from each firm, students were placed in small groups and given eight minutes to deliver an elevator pitch. A mix of local and national firms were in attendance, giving students options depending on whether they’d like to stay local or broaden their horizons.

Unlike traditional career fairs, Dr. Kauffinger pooled interested students through a survey, and their resumes needed to be sent to KU’s Career Development Center prior to the affair. The CDC provided the accounting students with personalized advice based on their career goals and interests so they could be as successful as possible with the firms.

“Meet the Firms has always been really helpful for me,” says Kayla Mackney, a dual accounting and finance major who has attended the event for four years. Kayla started a tradition of collecting business cards from the firms she met during the evening and used those contacts later when setting up an event for the Accounting Club. “Even if you’re not interested in connecting with businesses now, you can use relationships later,” she added. By placing a face to her name at Meet the Firms, the businesses felt more comfortable returning to KU for the Accounting Club for a student who made a good impression. 

As the Secretary of the Accounting Club, Hannah McConnell had the privilege of both facilitating the event and attending as an interested student: “The connections and skills gained here can genuinely change the trajectory of your career,” she says. Hannah and Kayla had the opportunity to form real connections with accounting firms they look forward to pursuing for potential internships and post-grad experiences.

With only 45 spots available every year, interested students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible when Dr. Kauffinger notifies accounting majors that the event is on the horizon.

-Linnea Devenney '27