I graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in May of 2020 with my Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. I am now currently pursuing my MSA at UIW, planning to graduate in May 2021. Being a student at UIW has had an incredible influence on what I look for in a work environment. I was almost exclusively looking for an intimate, inviting, and tight knit work environment, like UIW. Fortunately, ADKF was able to check off all these boxes, and more.
I had already been familiar with ADKF before my serious search, as they had attended multiple UIW business career fairs and have been guest speakers in my classes to discuss the accounting profession here in San Antonio. Having this sort of familiarity with faces from the firm is what initially pulled me in. Inquiring further, I met with a Tax Senior Manager, an Audit Senior Manager, and the Marketing & Recruiting Specialist at the career fair in Fall of 2019. We discussed the ADKF culture, and it felt as if they were asking me to apply for the internship so I could find my home away from home! Trusting this instinct and applying was one of the best decisions I have made.
Working for ADKF has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. I could have never imagined how well I would have been taken care of here. They genuinely cared about me and supported me every step of the way. After interviewing for the tax internship, I soon discovered I was unable to fulfill the 30-hour requirement needed. To my surprise, I was called soon after the interview and offered the opportunity to become a Tax Administrative Intern on a part-time basis. I could not believe they took the time to remember me and ask me to come back by offering me accommodations to my schedule. I started my new role in February 2020.
My time as Tax Administrative intern was cut short due to COVID-19, but the partners were able to lay out the situation to me and explain why I had to be let go. It was hard, but I knew it was what they had to do. I had already learned so much in that brief time so I was confident I would be able to find another job with the experience I gained there. I decided to apply for the Fall 2020 Tax internship in case ADKF had a spot open for me, and to my surprise I got a call to join the team once more. I was ecstatic! This time I was able to work with more of the staff and become familiar with more people. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and inclusive, something that should be hard working virtually, but they made it effortless. In all honesty, I was completely nervous to begin this internship; it was going to be my first ever tax internship. The people here, from Partner down to my fellow intern, made it such a smooth transition.
I have now gained multiple mentors and friends who express their concern for me both personally and professionally. Especially spending my entire internship virtual, I needed more assistance than normal. This didn’t stop the support. The staff and managers never hesitated to answer my questions, always called me to carefully explain projects, and never failed to express their confidence in me. Most days it doesn’t feel like I’m working because I get to do what I love surrounded by wonderful people. I have admired my growth into the young tax professional I have become from this experience and cannot wait to learn more.
If you are looking for an internship in public accounting, I cannot recommend ADKF enough. It is a place filled with kind people and invaluable learning experiences. Every day is a good day at ADKF.