Students learn accounting tactics at USD Summer Accounting Institute
Students earning one college credit with the successful completion of the Institute were Samantha Helm of Garretson, S.D., Chelsea Gilbertson of Vermillion, Bailey Heaton of Corning, Iowa, Peter Trandem of Mankato, Minn., Alex Hieb of Brandon, S.D., Brittany Schermann of Moville, Iowa, Jason Kneifl of Dixon, Neb., Hanna Leschisin of Eden, S.D., Eric Wolfe of Humboldt, S.D., Rebecca Birdsell of Harvey, N.D., Danielle Schroeder of Fergus Falls, Minn., Milana Arambasic, Monica Boyer, Murat Mustafic, Adam Presler and Ben Whempner of Sioux Falls, S.D., Maxine Licktieg of Auburn, Neb., Alex Elfering and Elizabeth Gaddie of Omaha, Neb., Toni Kafton of Mapleton, Iowa and Ashley Riewe of Spirit Lake, Iowa.
“The Institute exceeded my expectations,” said Presler. “At first, I thought it would be like school in the summer with a fun event here or there. However, I really enjoyed the work in the classroom and had a blast with the outside activities.”
The Summer Accounting Institute was open to high school sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers in accounting or majoring in business. This year’s five-day institute, from July 15-19, included field trips to a nationally-recognized public accounting firm and to various regional businesses, which demonstrated private and governmental accounting practices. There were also seminars and lectures featuring some of the area’s top accountants and attendees had a chance to explore career opportunities in accounting and finance as well as listen to faculty presentations and participate in fun events, including a pizza party at Prentis Park in Vermillion, an afternoon at Wild Water West in Sioux Falls, S.D., and bowling and movies throughout the week. Team and individual awards were presented to camp participants based on their performance in the institute activities. Additionally, five scholarships were awarded to camp participants that can be used by the recipients to attend USD and study accounting.
“I really enjoy accounting but I thought all we would be doing is accounting work all day,” added Riewe. “I was surprised to see we had fun activities scheduled every day.”
Sponsors of this year’s Institute included Deloitte; Eide Bailly, KPMG, McGladrey & Pullen Certified Public Accountants, The South Dakota CPA Society, Ernst & Young, Daniel & Jennifer Meyer Casey Peterson & Associates, Ltd., Jones, Kramer & Haber, LLP, Daktronics, South Dakota Investment Council, Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, USD Beacom Opportunity Fund, Ketel Thorstenson, LLP, and Williams and Company, PC.
The 2013 Summer Accounting Institute is tentatively scheduled for July 14-18. For more information on how to register or about the Summer Accounting Institute or the accounting program at USD, please contact Erin Cornelsen, Erin.Cornelsen@usd.edu, (605) 677-5499, or visit http://www.usd.edu/business/accounting.