Sara Cox - PKM Perspective Participant

I was very impressed by the so well planned PKM Perspective Program. It offered me an opportunity to speak to PKM employees at different levels of their careers, as well as learn more about the firm and the strong, friendly culture, which PKM has created. The program was very well balanced with informative sessions as well as time to have fun and get to know new people.

I am very happy that I got the chance to attend this program to understand PKM’s practice, culture and clients. Every part of the program truly was fantastic.

Ryan Barrow - Audit Staff

Have you ever felt like you were just another face in the crowd at a recruiting event? Ever wonder if there is anything that you can do to distinguish yourself from other students when meeting firms? Great news! There are a few things that you can do to make that lasting impression that you so strive for.

For starters, make sure that you are confident and SMILE! Approaching a firm representative with a smile and knowledge of the firm goes a long way in making that lasting impression. Be sure to be prepared with intriguing questions that adequately communicate your interest. Ask about the firm culture and the people. Ask about the firm’s work/life balance. It is important to realize that most people choose their employer based on the firm’s culture and people, so be sure to ask!

Finally, follow up with the people you meet at any firm function. This may be the most important thing that you can do to make a lasting impression. Just the other day, I received a handwritten thank you note from a student that I met at a career fair. This shows initiative and is a really good idea! At the same time, do not feel as if you must handwrite a thank you note, a simple email will do.

Follow these pointers at your next recruiting event, and make that lasting impression that you are looking for!

Erika Jackson - PKM Perspective Participant

The PKM Perspective program is a great way to get to know more about PKM and the public accounting industry. I cannot think of a better way to learn more about a firm. Everyone I met at PKM was very friendly and everyone I saw working there seemed to be happy. I have not done an internship yet, so this program gave me the chance to see what it is like to work at a public accounting firm.

One aspect about PKM that I think sets them apart from other firms is their belief in work life balance. A lot of firms will tell you that they believe in work life balance, but they do not explain how they try to help you have a healthy balance between work and life. At the PKM Perspective, they explained how they helped their employees balance work and life. For example, if an auditor lives far away from the Atlanta office, they will try and give them clients that are close to where they live so they do not have to spend a lot of time traveling.

PKM is a great company that puts their employees first. I feel that the perspective program gave me the opportunity to have a direct insight on what the company is all about.

John Payne - Audit Staff

Fall is just around the corner: fraternity parties, early morning tailgates and football Saturdays, but in the public accounting world it is recruiting season. Public accounting is a unique field regarding the hiring process. Rising juniors and seniors often live life aimlessly from weekend to weekend assuming that any major will guarantee them a position in the workforce. In reality, finding a secure, promising job after graduating is challenging. Accounting majors are blessed with the opportunity to weigh their career options before graduation. During the recruiting process not only do you learn about the public accounting firms, but you learn about yourself. Not many undergraduate students are given the chance to acquire an internship, especially one that results in a paycheck. My internship with PKM was rewarding in many ways. Along with the technical side of accounting, I learned how to adapt to the working lifestyle, manage time efficiently, and represent an organization. With that being said, I would strongly urge every accounting major to participate in an internship.

Five Tips to Remember for a Recruit

• Schedule as many interviews as possible, the more options the better.
• Ask the firm as many questions as they ask you. They should impress you as much as you impress them.
• Understand that no one expects you to be an accounting whiz; it is your eagerness to learn that should stand out.
• Don’t get stressed out, have fun with recruitment.
• Smile, be polite, and be yourself at all times.

Hopefully my five tips will help you throughout the recruiting process. There is a firm for everyone so have a stress free approach and keep an open mind. Being recruited is fun and also educational. Just remember it is not a life or death situation. You experience a public accounting job for a few months and get to go back to college and apply the knowledge you acquired, maybe even impress your professors with some accounting jargon. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.- Coach Vince Lombardi

Colby Babb - PKM Perspective Participant

Before leaving for the PKM Perspective program, I was very nervous and anxious about the experience. I did not know anyone else who was attending. However, everyone was so polite and generous, and PKM’s employees are very knowledgeable and engaging. After seeing our agenda, I was surprised at the amount of information that we were planning to cover. I really did not think I would be able to retain everything so quickly.

However, PKM did an excellent job of presenting itself and the accounting profession. Not only did I retain what I learned about PKM, but also I’m so excited that I was able to build a relationship with such a great company. The greatest characteristic of PKM, in my opinion, is how they actively desire and do take care of their employees and clients.

Tim Keadle - Partner

Question: Why does PKM host the “PKM Perspective” summer leadership program? Answer: To Give Juniors a “PKM Perspective”

The caliber of students we meet at colleges and universities is phenomenal. And, with more and more students making employment decisions earlier in their college careers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to educate potential hires on the benefits of working with local and regional firms. At PKM, we have a limited number of internship opportunities available and most of these slots go to seniors between their senior and gradute school year. Through the PKM Perspective program, we can give these younger accounting students a better and deeper perspective of our firm and the field of public accounting and better gauge their interest in working with our firm.

PKM Perspective is designed for students that have just completed their junior years of college to give them a forum to see our firm in enough depth that they can make informed decisions when the time comes to choose an employer or internship opportunity. PKM Perspective offers sessions on the firm history, our clients and the disciplines in which we work. During the three-day event, students interact with interns and meet more PKM staff and partners than they do during typical campus and office visits. PKM Perspective also makes time for social functions such as tours and dinners, which are a big part of the PKM culture.