Notable Alumni
Michael Allen, CPA
CFO, OSF Healthcare
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, '86
LinkedIn
What does your job entail? What does a normal day like for you?
I lead a team of 1500 mission partners covering all of the finance and accounting functions for the organization including Accounting, Financial Reporting, Planning & Analysis, Treasury Management, Revenue Cycle and Government Reimbursement. I sit on the executive cabinet and spend my time leading my team, working on strategy and other enterprise-wide initiatives, interacting and reporting to our board of directors and more.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I've been blessed with many highlights. I was elected to the national board of directors for my professional association and served two years as chairman of the board. I had a wonderful experience, opportunities to speak in front of thousands of people, opportunities to serve my profession and peers and lead an organization. I was able to develop relationships across the country that I will have for the rest of my life.
What is the best advice you ever received?
I would offer this. Take on and say yes to every challenge placed in front of you, particularly those things that seem like you'd be getting in over your head. You must place yourself in a position where you can fail, to grow and learn. Otherwise, you are just playing it safe. Nothing wrong with playing it safe, if you want a safe job and willing to stay within certain parameters. But if you aspire to bigger, more challenging roles, you must stretch yourself and become uncomfortable.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying accounting at ISU?
It's a great foundation for a career, even if it's not the most glamorous work in the early stages. Take advantage of all of the experiences you can and expose yourself to as many different industries as possible. Take the time mastering the fundamentals and learning what's in front of you before moving on to your next career step.
Edwin Durham
Senior Financial Analyst, Rivian Automotive
Assurance Associate, PwC
BS/MPA '19
LinkedIn
What does your job entail? What is a normal day like for you?
My current job focuses on financial analysis and forecasting various scenarios for both our current financial plans and our long-range plans (LRP). With this scope, I am constantly working with different segments of the business (Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Accounting, Strategy, Commercial, Design, etc.) to make financial decisions that align with both our financial plans and operations plan. While every day is different for me, this unique job has provided incredible opportunities to sharpen my critical thinking skills.
Are you glad you chose to study accounting?
While I am no longer in accounting, I am happy that I started my career within accounting. Accounting is a window into the soul of a business, and it has opened so many opportunities for me. Studying accounting at ISU has prepared me incredibly well to understand the nuances of financial statements or journal entries that some of my finance colleagues haven't been able to learn as quickly.
What was your favorite part of studying at ISU?
Other than getting engaged to my now wife during my time at ISU, I really enjoyed all my professors and other students during my time within the BS/MPA program. It felt like a tight community and by the time everyone was in their 3rd or 4th year everyone knew each other and many of us studied together. Some of my best memories are everyone working together to get through some of the most difficult classes (*cough* intermediate accounting *cough*), and during those times it made the struggle feel rewarding in a sense as everyone was more than willing to work together to learn.
What is the best advice you received and can share with potential students?
If you are interested at all in business, accounting is a great entry point into that world. You can learn so many skills sets that other majors aren't able to learn. As you gain more senior positions in a company it becomes a requirement to understand accounting and finance, and ISU has proven you will have both the theoretical accounting knowledge, but more importantly, the real-world application of those skills upon graduation.
Zack Fortsch, CPA
Partner, RSM (retired 2022)
Bachelor of Science in Accounting '83
Are you glad you chose to study accounting?
Absolutely. I knew after my Spring Tax Internship in 1983, that public accounting was where I wanted to be to start my professional career. After two years in public accounting, I decided to continue to invest in myself and enrolled at DePaul University, while working, to obtain my Master of Science of Taxation.
What was your favorite part of studying at ISU?
Spring Tax Internship for sure. Doing an internship during "busy season" will test your organization skills, your ability to assimilate a lot of information in a short period of time, learn new skills and continually to improve. It's a time where you learn about yourself and what you want to do as you start your professional career.
What was the best advice you ever received regarding your career?
Getting a great mentor. Great mentors will push you when you need it and pull you when you need an assist. You might not always like their advice, but you sure can learn a lot from their experience. They all have the same goal in mind - to help you succeed and to help the organization succeed.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying accounting at ISU?
The accounting program will provide you with leadership opportunities in Student Accounting Society. will provide you with Spring and Summer Internship opportunities and will prepare you well for the Uniform CPA Exam that you may begin taking in your fifth year.
Nicole Jones, CPA
Senior Accountant, Chicago Cubs
Senior Auditor, Miller Cooper & Co. Ltd.
Master of Science in Accountancy '18
LinkedIn
What does your job entail? What is a normal day like for you?
I am responsible for daily, monthly, and annual accounting processes for specified revenue streams and expense departments for multiple business units. I analyze and administer the Club's daily financial operations and activity. I specialize in the accounting for corporate partnerships and various events held at the ballpark including concerts and other non-baseball sporting events.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career was Opening Day 2022. It was my first baseball season with the Cubs and after a delayed season due to labor negotiations, I was finally able to see the impact my work had on the organization and see it come to life at a place that brings me great joy (Wrigley Field).
Are you glad you chose to study accounting?
Yes - I have always felt confident in my decision to study and work in accounting but was never personally drawn to public accounting. Having a job in the sports industry has really allowed me to align my career in accounting within an industry that I value and appreciate.
What was your favorite part of studying at ISU?
My favorite part of studying at ISU was my involved in Delta Sigma Pi, a business fraternity on campus. I made such strong relationships on both a professional and personal level and wouldn't be where I am today without the organization.
What was the best advice you ever received regarding your career?
Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't mean it's the right path for you.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying accounting at ISU?
Don't settle for a job just because it's the path you're expected to be on. Build your own path - take risks, enter new industries, and don't be afraid to ask the uncomfortable questions.
Daniel Lopez
Product Manager, Guaranteed Rate
Delivery Lead, Guaranteed Rate
Scrum Master, Discover Financial Services
Bachelor of Science in Business Information System '17
Minor in Spanish
LinkedIn
What does your job entail? What is a normal day like for you?
Developing and communicating our Product Goal with the intent of maximizing the value of the product that the team works on. This is done by creating, prioritizing, and clearly stating work items to the team, stakeholders, and users. A normal day is always different but will generally include a daily meeting with the team to outline a path forward for work delivery.
Are you glad you chose to study accounting?
This track opened a plethora of opportunities for me when entering the work force. The skill set I acquired is highly valued and sought after which gives me the confidence to anyone considering it.
What was your favorite part of studying at ISU?
The capstone class with Rosie was riddled with valuable lessons. The most notable stemming from the Scrum Master Certification course (offered for free now!) that gave me a new perspective in thinking outside the box when moving forward with a business opportunity. I took that lesson and applied it to another course later that week (MQM 385) when we were doing a group exercise highlighting "first mover advantage". In the exercise, our group was the first mover to an opportunity and therefore had cheap access to the entire supply chain. I took the opportunity to buy out all the available supply, run out of the classroom to hide the supplies from the other teams, and drive-up cost for my product as there was no competition. My MQM professor said she had never seen anyone push the advantage that far before and while what I did was fair play, she ended up having to modify the rules (akin to new laws/regulations) the following semester. Fun moment!
What was the best advice you ever received regarding your career?
A job is an occupation not an identity. Especially as a recent college grad, I fully support the notion of putting in the extra effort to stand out, gain experience quicker, and thrive from a professional standpoint even more so in such a shaky economic environment. However, recognize that the relationship between company and employee is a cost-benefit decision. Nowadays companies will be quick to shed headcount when the cost-benefit analysis suggests they should. Likewise, as an employee, you should keep your doors open for opportunities as role changes often lead to larger pay bumps. I've seen people get burned for being overly loyal to a company that they didn't take larger pay at other firms and still were unfortunately laid off due to market conditions. This does not mean to be a job hopper every few months as employers will be quick to sniff that out as well. Do what's best for you long term.