From Intern to Accounting & Auditing Manager: Why networking, growing your contacts and developing your personal brand are so important.
By Alexis Weber, CPA
Accounting & Auditing Manager
Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP
As an Accounting & Auditing Manager at Tronconi Segarra & Associates, I wanted to share my journey and career path with young aspiring accountants. Everybody’s journey is different but here is what helped me over the years. It is never too early to start your career journey and leadership development.
Let me take you back to the fall semester of 2015, where my 19-year-old self was an intern at Tronconi Segarra & Associates, and I thought I had all the answers. After four short months at my internship, I knew I was in the right place with the right people and that my search for the Company that I would start my career with was over. I was a Junior in the accounting program, and I had started to create a community within my class. I had a few friends in the program, and we all bonded over the fact that we thought we would never get through Intermediate Accounting and every new piece of accounting terminology was flying over our heads. My friend and I were approached by an upperclassman that we should come to the first General Body Meeting of Beta Alpha Psi. I debated on whether or not to go to the meeting was as I was already trying to balance my Junior class load, my internship, and another part-time job.
I thought I had all the answers and that I didn’t need to join a professional organization to gain exposure to firms, because I already had my firm. What benefit was it going to provide me? I quickly realized Beta Alpha Psi was about networking and being a member of a community and network much larger than I could have possibly imagined. Along the way, my fellow classmates and I formed a support system to help each other get through the next three years of the program. We had the opportunity to curate relationships with the upperclassmen, gain insight into how to succeed, and get advice on different projects and opportunities. Little did I know I was creating relationships that would withstand for years to come and many of whom I now consider mentors in the early stages of my career.
Fast forward to the Spring of 2016, it was the end of the semester and time for Executive Board elections. I remember contemplating, do I really want, need, or have the time to commit to an Executive Board position? I then realized again that it wasn’t about gaining another line item on my resume, it was an investment in my future. It was about building a professional network, enhancing my leadership skills, and wanting to make a difference in the Program for the benefit of my classmates. Beta Alpha Psi pushed me to be a better person, a better student, and a better professional.
I found so many of my experiences rewarding and fulfilling during my active membership in Beta Alpha Psi. I was able to network with my peers and professionals throughout the Western New York area that I still have relationships with today. The network that you will build over the years will kick start your career for success and provide unlimited resources to you in the future. I always used to think as a student that the professionals that attended on campus events were just donating their time to the students; however, I now realize that it was never a donation of time but was an investment of time in our futures.
Because of the confidence, relationships, and knowledge that I have built through this program and this organization, I can say as a Manager, at the young age of 28, the opportunities available to you in this profession are endless. Leadership has continued to evolve into my true passion in the profession and I have the incredible opportunity at my firm to hold our Leadership Academy sessions and help mentor and teach our professionals at the firm from intern to Partner on leadership skills and mindsets. Through the support of my firm, I am now able to nurture this passion and grow it into a potential service offering for our firm.
To this day, I am so thankful that I chose to invest in my future in the profession and didn’t take the easy way out. But that’s what Leadership is all about, is it not? As a leader, we don’t take the easy way out. We stay, we fight for what we believe in, and we commit to leaving our organization in a better position than where we found it for the next generation or class of young professionals to run with.
This is your personal investment of your time to build your network and set yourself up for success in your career. Take advantage of the opportunities afforded to you. There are many ways to get involved and make your lasting impact. You will reap the benefits of the effort you put forth and it will pay dividends in the years to come.
For questions and additional information, please contact me, Lexi Weber, Accounting & Audit Manager, at Tronconi Segarra & Associates. I can be reached at (716) 633-1373 or aweber@tsacpa.com.
