From Intern to Professional: SMB’s Internship Program
At SMB, our commitment to excellence goes beyond client service; it’s woven into the fabric of our culture, nurturing the development of future accounting professionals through our dynamic intern program. Embark on a journey through the heart of SMB’s intern program, where talents converge, aspirations take flight, and careers are crafted. In this post, we share the SMB Internship experiences of both past and current interns complemented by the perspectives of our committed team and partners. We’re proud of the program we’ve created, helping to propel interns and the firm alike toward new horizons.
Maxwell’s Journey from Intern to CPA
Maxwell’s story is a testament to the unexpected opportunities that unfold when talent meets opportunity. Handpicked via Handshake, Maxwell’s internship journey began, setting the stage for a career post-internship as a full-time CPA. His internship provided exposure to a variety of diverse projects, from audits to business tax returns, offering a comprehensive view of the intricacies of public accounting. The challenges he embraced as an intern cultivated a profound respect for the accounting profession, proving that real-world experience is an unparalleled educator. In his own words, “My time as an intern showed me what it is actually like to be in public accounting. Until you are actually in public accounting, it’s hard to understand exactly what it’s like. I have an even greater respect for the accounting profession. The knowledge and experience I have gained is going to be very useful now and moving forward in my career.”
Brenden’s Unanticipated Path to Full-Time Success
Brenden’s journey reflects the unexpected turns that internships can take, offering him a glimpse into the breadth of opportunities within public accounting. Initially a sophomore at Missouri State University and not actively seeking internships, Brenden’s encounter with SMB through Handshake proved serendipitous. Two years and some months later with an undergrad diploma, a Master’s degree in progress, and two parts of the CPA exam down, Brenden is a Staff Accountant at SMB. During his internship, he found that his exposure to audit work significantly enhanced his academic learning and challenged some preconceived notions about the industry. “Before my internship at SMB, I really only had the idea of going to work for a Big 4 or Top 10 firm for public accounting; school is geared to teach you the work that aligns more with a big firm, and a lot of the recruiting you are constantly exposed to is the same. My internship experience at SMB has changed my perception of public accounting in that there are opportunities to work for public firms that aren’t the stereotypical giants.”
His advice to others seeking an internship is this: “Pursue that opportunity that puts you and your education first. I’ve found that work-life balance is not commonly accommodated in many public accounting workplaces. It definitely is at SMB, which is something to consider when making your choice.” As Brenden embarks on his path to CPA certifications, SMB’s unique work-life balance stands out, shaping his career goals beyond the stereotypical giants of the field. When asked of one of his favorite or most memorable experiences at SMB, Brenden remarks “The Christmas party at Nakato was pretty fun; not too many employees at public firms can say their partner group has cooked hibachi for them!”
Moriah’s Current Exploration of All Facets:
As a current intern, Moriah exemplifies the diversity embedded in SMB’s internship program. Drawn to SMB’s work culture and the prospect of hands-on experience, Moriah’s internship has exceeded expectations. “I was impressed to have met with two of the three partners during my interview process alone, and learning about the firm’s work culture and the type of work I would be doing got me even more excited to join the team,” recalled Moriah about her first impressions of SMB. Now, almost a year into her internship, Moriah appreciates that SMB empowers her to engage with every facet of public accounting. “SMB is providing me with more interactive work than I expected, which is a great thing for a student who wants to experience all aspects of public accounting. I have peers who intern at other local firms that work in a single department, but at SMB, I get to work on everything. I have had the opportunity to prepare tax returns, assist with audits, work on historical cost certifications, and even do some monthly work for several entities.”
For Moriah, the SMB internship has helped her to solidify her path. “Every day, I learn about a new aspect of public accounting, the importance of the work our firm provides clients, how dedicated and hardworking my colleagues are, and how important it is to be part of a firm with a great office culture. This internship has helped me decide that I want to stay in public accounting and continue working at SMB.”
Staff Perspectives:
The impact of interns resonates across the entire SMB team. Robbie, a paralegal, finds interns invaluable in enhancing efficiency, “I find having interns is really helpful. They can help with tasks that benefit the firm and benefit them. I enjoy explaining tasks to them and helping them relate what they’ve learned in school to what is being done in the real world.” For Staff Accountant Nick Pyatt, interns bring new perspectives in addition to helping hands. “The positive impact that interns have is that they bring a new perspective into the work that is already being done. Sometimes that fresh outlook will provide different ways of tackling a problem. And, just having them there to help when needed is rewarding. With each full-time person having their own workload, sometimes it’s hard to find someone who can handle the smaller things that also need to be done. Interns can easily step in and help with some of the workload.”
CPA Brad Vass echoes the sentiments of others regarding fresh perspectives. Brad adds, “As a supervisor, they keep me sharp. The questions they ask and the fresh perspectives they bring help me review and remember concepts I may not deal with every day. Sometimes we learn something new together.”
As for Brad’s approach to being a mentor and ensuring the interns are getting valuable experience, it’s all about being a conduit for learning through questions. “The Partners have always given an approach to be available for questions. As a supervisor, I always try to be available for questions and pass that sentiment on. Our staff and experienced interns do the same. We strongly encourage our interns to ask questions whenever in doubt. Someone in this office has the answer and has probably been in your situation before. Don’t spend too much time dwelling. Make an effort and ask the question if you’re unsure.”
“As a supervisor, they keep me sharp. The questions they ask and the fresh perspectives they bring help me review and remember concepts I may not deal with every day. Sometimes we learn something new together.” -Brad Vass, CPA
Insights from the Partners:
The internship program at SMB has been strategically designed to be an integral part of the firm’s success. “We have found that our internship program has been the best way to find the right staff. Internships are also a great opportunity for students to get experience in public accounting and get a glimpse of what a career at SMB CPAs would look like. By the end of the internship, both the intern and the firm have a better feel for whether a career at SMB CPAs is the right fit,” says Partner Chris Myers. Partner Matt Blackwell adds, “From the outset, we wanted our interns to be an integral part of SMB. Beginning with the first day in the door, they begin working on audits. They will then move on to tax returns later in the season.” Interns actively contribute to the firm’s ability to meet demanding deadlines during tax season, an essential role underscored by the partners. “Without the interns….we just flat would not have been able to get our tax season deadline work completed and completed timely for our clients. They are essential to our ability to meet the tax/audit season deadlines that fall within a short period from January to April each year,” remarked Chris. He adds, “Every busy season provides interns with great on-the-job training in both tax and audit. Interns get to touch such a wide variety of clients from personal to business and get to help with many unique projects. This experience is great for them to match up to the book knowledge learned in school with the practical knowledge gained when performing work in the real world.”
“We have found that our internship program has been the best way to find the right staff. Internships are also a great opportunity for students to get experience in public accounting and get a glimpse of what a career at SMB CPAs would look like.” -Partner Chris Myers
The internship program is not just about tasks; it’s about professional development. From attention to detail to improved time management and communication skills, interns gain a spectrum of qualities vital for their future careers. Partners Chris and Matt stress the importance of honing these skills, defining success not only as meeting deadlines but also as personal growth. On growth, Chris adds “So much goes into getting a job done from start to finish and when you have multiple staff and partners working through the same goal it is inherent that communication skills are tested. As such, over the course of a busy season, you will find young interns improving their ability to manage their time, communicate on projects, and overall, improve their efficiency and effectiveness in performing the work.”
As we reflect on these journeys, past and present, the SMB Intern Program emerges as a unique experience that extends beyond the technicalities of accounting. It’s a journey of self-discovery, skill development, and, ultimately, the navigation of success in the dynamic world of public accounting. The stories of Maxwell, Brenden, Moriah, and the collaborative perspectives of the SMB team underscore the profound impact of a well-crafted internship program – a journey that continues to shape futures and define excellence at SMB, and one in which we’re proud to place so much emphasis on.
