Welcome to the new members of the USI Accounting Circle's Young Professionals. The Accounting Circle is an advisory group for the Accounting and Professional Services Program made up of high-level accounting professionals from public accounting firms and from for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Clayton Allen '13
Accounting Manager
United Fidelity Bank
Clayton Allen is a 2013 graduate of USI Romain College of Business, earning bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance.
What advice would you give a college freshman?
I would recommend job shadowing at a career you are planning to pursue. I would also recommend taking a career assessment test. I started college with a different major/career path than the one I ended up pursuing.
Similarly, what advice would you give seniors on making the most of their last year of college and preparing for their careers after graduation?
I would recommend seniors get an internship or part time job in the career they are pursuing. This will help build their resume and get experience that the classroom can’t teach.
What skills do you think are most essential for being successful in accounting?
Time management and communication are essential in the accounting profession. Being able to manage projects and communicating them to superiors/co-workers are key in getting work completed.
Brandon Medcalf '17
Senior Audit Associate
Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C.
Brandon Medcalf is a USI Romain College of Business alumnus, double majoring in accounting and finance.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about accounting as a career choice?
That you sit in your cubicle 40+ hours a week doing the same work over and over. As an auditor in public accounting, I spend a lot of time out at client offices and interacting with different people. While you may be doing an audit each week, every client is different in how they operate and the industry in which they operate so your work will always vary in some way.
What advice would you give a college freshman?
Just enjoy your experiences and keep an open mind. This is the start of a whole new chapter in your life so try new things, grow as a person, and enjoy life. There is nothing wrong with taking a year, maybe even two, to discover what it is you are passionate about and the kind of career that you want to pursue.
Similarly, what advice would you give seniors on making the most of their last year of college and preparing for their careers after graduation?
If you haven’t had an internship yet, I would certainly try and find one as you can gain invaluable experiences. Also, do your research and look at various companies, both in the public and private sectors. Every company is different and has a different culture so try and look for those that you feel fit your personality and work styles the best.
Generally speaking, what are some of your favorite accounting-related duties at work?
My favorite accounting-related work duty would be the preparation of a company’s financial statement. These financial statements really tell the story of how the company performed throughout the year. So, taking all the information you gathered throughout the audit and pulling it all together into a financial statement is a really neat experience in my eyes.
What skills do you think are most essential for being successful in accounting?
In my opinion, the three most important skills for a successful accounting career would be organization, project management, and the ability to continuously learn throughout your career. In public accounting you often will be working on multiple projects at the same time, and usually these will be with different people/teams. Making sure to stay organized and manage these projects at the same time is really critical. Also, in public accounting you are constantly running into new situations you haven’t experienced before and so being able to research and apply this new knowledge can drive your career a long way.
What has surprised you about working in accounting, and has it been different than you expected? If so, how?
The things that have surprised me the most about accounting, public accounting more specifically, are (1) how social of a career it is, and (2) how diverse of a field it really is. Accountants really do all kinds of work, in fact there are multiple things I do for my job that I never even realized accountants worked on.
Amy Mings '08 M'22
Graduate Assistant-MBA Program
University of Southern Indiana
Amy Mings has an extensive background in accounting and entrepreneurship. She is co-founder of Maison de Mings, a lifestyle brand, and is the designer and creative force behind Maison's designs. Mings blogs at www.maisondemings.com. She was recently named a 2021 Stylemaker by Better Homes & Gardens and her work is currently featured on the magazine cover for American Farmhouse Style’s 2021 Christmas Edition. Her work has been featured in HGTV Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, The Cottage Journal (French Cottage edition), Romantic Homes, Enjoy Brocante, and NBC News Better. Past collaborations have included the likes of The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Company, Rural King, Sertodo Copper, Pré de Provence, Wagner, Sinkology, RYOBI and more. Currently, Amy serves as a brand ambassador for Meyer Hatchery. In 2021, Mings will continue to serve as a content creator for American Farmhouse Style magazine.
What prompted you to pursue an MBA? An MBA graduate assistant?
Getting my MBA has been a lifelong goal – I’ve always envisioned myself teaching at the college or university level in some capacity.
Even while I was working full-time in public accounting, I found ways to continue to mentor college students. I had such a wonderful experience at USI and wanted to give back and provide students tips for success. I would encourage them to be active on campus, participate in case study competitions and network. My previous employer, Harding, Shymanski & Company, hired several of my mentees over the years. When I worked in public accounting, I served on USI’s YP committee (I believe from 2008 – 2013).
For the last 3 years, I served as a dual-credit instructor part-time for a high school entrepreneurship program. I loved sharing my knowledge of accounting, business, and marketing with the students. I knew the next step in my career journey was to complete my MBA to work for a college or university in a full-time capacity.
As a graduate assistant, I love that I have the opportunity to work for many different faculty members within the Romain College of Business while pursuing my MBA full-time. It has been wonderful to reconnect with others at USI and network with newer faculty members. My goal upon completing my MBA is to teach at the college or university level full-time.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about accounting as a career choice?
Accounting is truly the language of business. When most students think of accounting, public accounting is probably what comes to mind first. With so many recent technological advancements, the profession is changing though. More than ever, companies are providing work-from-home opportunities and there are many international accounting positions available as well. While I would recommend students start their career in public accounting for the vast experience to be gained, a degree in accounting provides a lifetime of endless opportunities. You can work for a business or start your own. With a degree in accounting, you could travel the world, if that is your passion.
What advice would you give a college freshman?
As an incoming freshman, I would recommend get plugged in on campus as quickly as possible. Join on-campus groups, find a mentor, and start building your resume! Communication skills are essential for any profession – if you are not comfortable with public speaking – sign up for USI’s Toastmasters! Upon graduation, you must have the soft skills to go with your technical education.
Similarly, what advice would you give seniors on making the most of their last year of college and preparing for their careers after graduation?
Review your resume. Make sure you are continuing to network and be involved on campus. If you haven’t joined a case study team – seek one out! If you haven’t completed an internship, work with Career Services to find one. If you are still not comfortable speaking in a group setting, attend Toastmasters. I also highly recommend signing up for an international trip or study abroad program – even if it extends your graduation timeline.
Generally speaking, what are some of your favorite accounting-related duties at work?
Now that I own my own business, I use accounting-related skills daily. I enjoy monitoring our social media engagement, metrics, and campaigns. I also use my accounting skills on at least a monthly basis to review our financials, contracts, and brand proposals.
What skills do you think are most essential for being successful in accounting?
I would encourage students to focus on soft skills. Your employer will hire you for your technical knowledge, but soft skills will be what set you apart from your peers and advance your career. Oral and written communication skills and being detail-oriented is essential! You must also be willing to be a lifelong learner as technology, laws, and regulations are ever changing. As a new employee, it is very important to ask questions and learn from your mistakes.
What has surprised you about working in accounting, and has it been different than you expected? If so, how?
I have truly loved every part of my career journey. Starting in public accounting expanded my accounting knowledge and I found myself taking more of a non-traditional route toward advisory services where I performed fraud examinations, business valuations and calculations and other consulting services. Now as a small business owner, I apply my accounting and consulting skills by preparing my own brand proposals, reviewing contracts, and updating financials. As a full-time instructor, I hope to be able to share personal stories and life lessons that coincide with the learning content.
If you could do one thing and knew you wouldn’t fail, what would it be?
If I could start a new business that I knew wouldn’t fail and international logistics were not a hindrance, I would start a new business venture in Provence with my husband. We have been there several times and I would love to purchase a villa and lavender farm to offer rental opportunities and countryside tours for international groups.
What are some misconceptions about being a small business owner?
As a small business owner there will be aspects of running your business in which you do not excel or enjoy. As funds allow, look for ways to bring others in that can strengthen your business in those areas. Learn to focus your time where you will see the most value. For many small business owners, accounting is a big area where they struggle. With an accounting degree, however, you will understand the language of business and be able to propel your business forward more easily.
What advice would you give someone considering pursuing starting their own small business?
I would connect with your local small business development center. They are a free resource that can provide start-ups and entrepreneurs with a wealth of knowledge as well as connections to industry experts. With any new business, I would define your “why” and start small.
Drew Turpin
Senior Associate
Grey Street Advisors LLC
Drew Turpin received his bachelor's in Kinesiology-Exercise Science at Indiana University, Bloomington. He earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in accountancy at USI.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about accounting as a career choice?
I would say the most common misconception about the accounting profession is that you have to do taxes and/or bookkeeping! While a lot of accountants do practice tax and have probably dabbled in bookkeeping at some point, accounting is much wider than that scope. Also that accounting is boring. If you love business, accounting is probably the best way to learn how businesses operate. ALL departments/segments in a business have to lean on accurate and timely accounting information to be successful.
What advice would you give a college freshman?
Find out what you are good at. What are your current skills in life? For me, I realized that I am, by nature, an organized person who is always keeping score of things. This is how I realized that accounting would be a wise choice for me. Also, talk to people in the field of practice in which you are thinking of learning about! This way, you can find out specific examples of what people actually do everyday to find out if you would actually like it. Do not let the pressure of picking a major (at such a young age) force you into a bad decision for yourself. College is a major personal investment!
Similarly, what advice would you give seniors on making the most of their last year of college and preparing for their careers after graduation?
Hopefully you have picked a major and are passionate about it and it lines up with your personality and personal goals! Outside of this, network with as many people as you can at every chance you get. Relationships present the most opportunities in life and can be very fruitful!
Generally speaking, what are some of your favorite accounting-related duties at work?
Generally speaking, my favorite part of accounting is the satisfaction I get from helping small business owners. I love interacting with people and helping them to build a reliable accounting information system and fulfilling their accounting needs!
What skills do you think are most essential for being successful in accounting?
Skills required for being successful in accounting: Organization, multitasking, and being good with people. Accounting is a service just like any other service that people pay for. Be a good person and treat client’s affairs as if they were your own!
What has surprised you about working in accounting, and has it been different than you expected? If so, how?
The amount of options available as a career as an accountant. Learning accounting is a great base for becoming an expert in business. I was also surprised to find out how much social interaction is required (depending on your role).
Published October 14, 2021