Grace College student Elizabeth Bakker talking to Danilo Carnelos from CapinCrouse LLP

WINONA LAKE — Grace College hosted its ninth-annual Accounting Career Fair on Sept. 14 in Westminster Hall. More than 60 students from seven colleges and universities, including Grace, and 10 Hoosier employers participated in the event. In the morning, students mingled with employers and asked questions. After lunch, employers held individual interviews with selected students.

Megan Carpenter is a senior accounting student at Grace College. This was her second year participating in the Accounting Career Fair. “The fair is an excellent way to connect with potential employers,” Carpenter said. “Face-to-face conversations have a different dynamic than phone calls. The employer may be more likely to hire you if you meet in person.” She was preparing for a few interviews later in the day. “It really isn’t as scary as it seems,” Carpenter added, encouraging future attendees.

Louise Brenner is a Grace alumnus with an exciting success story. She attended the accounting fair in 2012 and 2013 during her junior and senior years at Grace. “In 2013, after an interview, I received an internship at Dauby, O’Conner & Zaleski (DOZ) in Indianapolis,” Brenner said. “After graduation in 2014, I was hired by DOZ and now I represent DOZ at the accounting fair.” Brenner hopes to see more Grace graduates employed at her place of work in the future.

RSM US LLP was this year’s accounting fair gold sponsor. Karen Wagner, human resources manager at RSM, has represented her company at the accounting fair since its inception. “I’ve watched the number of students grow steadily,” she said. “This event is valuable to employers because it is a way to recruit several potential employees in a single day.” The event saves time; it also provides quality candidates. “RSM has hired students from this fair every year,” Wagner added.

The Accounting Career Fair was began by Grace College Professor of Accounting Dr. Roger Stichter in 2008. Originally, four accounting firms and 30 students from four area colleges participated. This year, the growing event is sponsored by RSM from Elkhart and Kruggel Lawton CPAs from South Bend. Employers include Dauby, O’Connor & Zaleski LLC from Carmel; Dulin, Ward & DeWald Inc. and BKD, LLP, from Fort Wayne; CapinCrouse LLP from Greenwood; Zimmer Biomet from Warsaw; Crowe Horwath, LLP, from South Bend; CliftonLarsonAllen from Indianapolis and Insight Accounting Group, PC, from Goshen. Colleges and universities include Grace College, Huntington University, Goshen College, University of Saint Francis, Bethel College, Indiana Wesleyan University and Trine University.

For more information about Grace College School of Business, visit their website or call (574) 372-5100.