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How College Prepared Me for a Career in a CPA Firm

By August 29, 2014 August 5th, 2020 No Comments

Author: Donny A. Baird, staff accountant

My name is Donny Baird, and I am a staff accountant for Brickley DeLong. I graduated with my Bachelor’s from Grand Valley State University in 2012, and I am finishing up with my Master’s.

As a recent student in Grand Valley State University’s accounting program, I can say that my college experience has allowed me to understand the general concepts and theories needed for “real world” public accounting. My coursework in business and accounting has permitted me to have a greater knowledge of work expectations and business procedures. In my typical day at Brickley DeLong PC, much of my activities relate directly to what I learned in the classroom. I am able to use these concepts in the real world and bridge the gap to our clients.

While working towards my bachelor’s degree, I interned at Boyne Machine in Jenison. This experience allowed me to challenge what I learned in the classroom and apply it to a single company. Now, serving in a public accounting firm, I get to apply these principles to many different businesses and individuals.

Every day is a new challenge in an accounting firm. The field of accounting is always evolving, and new laws and regulations require continual training. College training is necessary, but it is important that as accountants, we never stop learning and continue our desire to grow as professionals.

For more information on the experience of working in a CPA firm, please visit our accounting career pages or contact Christine Dill (231) 726-5835.