Sitting in accounting class, it’s hard to figure out if you’re really going to like working in an accounting firm. And when you land your first internship, there’s so much at stake. If you end up at a firm where none of the staff are truly happy or where interns only get coffee for people doing the real work, you might start to question whether the profession is even for you.
That’s why we started the one-day SBF Summer Leadership Program, to help students in their transition to the accounting profession whether they end up working at SBF or not. Every year, we invite accounting students to get to know SBF long before they’re looking for that first job or maybe even before they’ve had an internship.
“Meeting and discussing the firm with current employees, some of whom had gone through the same program as us, was very enjoyable, and we also got to talk to the partners of SBF,” said Dominic Griffin, a student at University of Tampa who attended the 2021 SLP. “Plus, talking with those employees that had gone through the SLP gave me insight into the opportunities that go with an internship with SBF.”
In 2021, the SLP had a packed schedule. Students got an overview of SBF and its culture, toured the office, and met the three partners. After lunch, they joined in on an office scavenger hunt, which helped them navigate the various departments, meet SBF staff, and get initiated into the part of SBF culture that is lighthearted and silly.
In the afternoon, Chief People Officer Jessica Espaillat led the group in a Strengths Profile workshop, which helps students understand what qualities they have that make them happy, productive, and engaged at work.
Joseph Cottone, a student at the University of Tampa, attended the SLP in 2021. “Everyone I met at the SLP clearly exemplified passion, the drive for positive impact, a focus on people and family, and respect,” he said. “I was also able to learn some more about myself, through a detailed strengths and weaknesses assessment.”
The group ended the day with a Q&A and dinner, where they heard about SBF from a long-time client –Nathan Stonecipher, Co-Owner of Green Bench Brewing Co.
Hamzeh Abdalnabi attended SLP in 2019. “It may seem like it’s a long day at first but it’s such a great way for someone to learn about the firm and whether they think they would like to work here,” Abdalnabi said. “It’s a great stepping stone to get yourself out there.” After completing an audit internship with SBF in 2020 and graduating from University of South Florida, Abdalnabi is now a Client Accounting Associate at SBF.
Not everyone who attends the SLP will be ready to apply for a job at SBF, but that’s not the point of the program. We are committed to introducing the next generation of CPAs to a #PeopleMatterMost culture, and to helping them understand the profession they’ve been working so hard to join.
If you know a student who might benefit from attending the next SLP, we encourage you to share this post with them on LinkedIn. If you’re interested in attending the next SLP yourself, email us at klunay@sbfcpa.com for more information.