JSU accounting students meet with major firms

Alexander Robinson
Associate Editor

Accounting students had the opportunity to “mix and mingle” with major accounting firms and other major corporations, on February 16th at the Accounting Society’s Spring Mixer held in the College of Business. Companies included: Deloitte & Touche, Mississippi Department of Revenue, the Internal Revenue Service, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Horne, Northrop Grumman, Entergy Mississippi, and the Mississippi State Auditor.

Donald McWilliams, professor of financial accounting and governmental/non-profit accounting, serves as the advisor for the Accounting Society.

“These mixers are held twice a year, in the spring and the fall. They started off small, as alumni were invited back to encourage the students. Now employers are invited to speak and offer job opportunities,” said Williams.

The Accounting Society offers there members a beneficial experience by being a part of the National Association of Black Accounts (NABA) annual regional conferences, scholarship notifications, accounting experience through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), and case competitions.

Alisha Turner, senior accounting major from Clarksdale, Miss., Is the president of the organization.

“It feels great to know we are providing different opportunities for our students that other majors may not be exposed to,” said Turner.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, the world’s largest accounting firm, sponsored the Accounting Society’s event. Chase Berg, senior manager of audit spoke on the firm’s commitment to working with Jackson State University.

“We pride ourselves on diversity. It’s one of our key initiatives. It’s talent at JSU, as well as the other HBCU’s. There have been a significant amount of hires from JSU, and our recruits have been successful,” said Berg. Deloitte & Touche also sponsors a case study involving students from JSU, Howard University Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse.

Melmiah Walker, senior accounting major from Memphis, Tenn., is appreciative for the spring mixer.

“It allows me to mix and mingle with the corporations so I can have the experience when I apply to these as well as other firms,” said Walker.

As students ate and learned from the corporate professionals they gained valuable insight into the keys that will lead to success in the corporate world.