Tim Messman- Principal

It is amazing what a little teamwork can accomplish. It makes obstacles, which at times feel insurmountable, more manageable. Whether you are behind schedule and facing technology glitches, or on task but feel overwhelmed, teamwork can get you through the bumps in the road. At PKM, each individual is a part of a number of different teams. Whether it be a campus recruiting team, an audit engagement team or a business development industry niche team, the firm’s team based structure allows individuals to utilize his/her talents in a variety of different areas. Some teams are joined by choice (i.e. an industry of interest, a university of preference) and others by assignment (i.e. a client tax engagement or audit team), but regardless of whether you choose to be on the team or assigned to be a part of the team, it is teamwork that helps the firm accomplish its goals. For more information on teamwork, click here to read an article about “Building a Teamwork Culture.”

Stephanie Sanchez - Audit Staff

When I say the “real world” I am talking about having a career, moving out of the parents house, and, of course, paying all those bills yourself. This all begins your junior, senior, or grad year of college. I began my quest for the “real world” the fall of my grad year. I was attending Georgia Southern University and had no idea where to start looking for a job. A lot of my teachers would talk about something called Accounting Day. It sounded pretty interesting, so I attended. I’m not going to lie, it was a long exhausting day and I really didn’t feel like sitting through three more hours of lecture at this Accounting Day, but I am glad that I did. I got to hear from many firms, recent GSU graduates, and teachers. They lectured on why to go big or small, what should really be on your resume, and what your first year of work will really be like.

Listening to these lectures really helped me get a jump-start on my quest for a job. During Accounting Day, they also offered mock interviews. Since I had never really had an interview before, I thought it would be a good experience that would teach me a lot. Even though it was not a real interview, I was nervous. After the mock interview, my interviewer talked to me about what I did right and wrong. She also gave me great advice for the real thing.

My advice to college students is to really start early. You should attend any event that your school holds that will benefit your future. Scheduling a mock interview, allowing your career service to review your resume, and going to meet-the-firm events are some great ways to get started. Because I was able to get a head start on my quest for a job in the fall of my grad year, I was able to find the firm that suited me best. I secured a job position early and was able to relax, knowing that I had a job waiting for me after I graduated. It is such a great feeling to get a job position early and not have to worry about looking after you graduate.

Laura Snyder - Director of Marketing

Accounting marketing veteran, Jean Caragher, wrote an article recently about “implementation.” I was drawn into the article because of its US Open tennis hook (both Jean and I are big tennis fans!), but continued reading because she is dead on about the importance of implementation. What differentiates great firms from mediocer firms is the ability to implment. Having an innovative idea is just one step in the process. Without the abilty to implement the idea, it is nothing more than an idea. Among other things, Jean encourages firms to implement by:

1. Holding each other accountable.
2. Rewarding efforts and results.
3. Providing training to raise the confidence level of your team.
4. Making the commitment to not be average.

So, in Jean’s words (taken from IBM’s new ad campgaign), “Stop talking. Start doing.”