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Name: Jenna Plotzky
Class Year: 2019
Major: Accountancy
Position: Core Assurance Associate for Tech, Media, Telecommunications Industry
Company: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)
I started thinking about my accounting career when I was in high school. In high school I was part of the National Academy of Finance, which was a specialized program for students pursuing a career in business. Through the Academy, I completed an internship at Cacace, Tusch & Santagata law firm, a position that helped me transition from the student mindset to an office job. At Bentley I became a peer tutor and a First Year Seminar Peer Leader through the Office of Academic Services, and a junior PC Technician for Client Services. These opportunities allowed me to secure leadership programs at four top firms sophomore year. I decided to accept an internship offer for PwC, and upon completion of my internship I accepted my full-time offer.
I became interested in accounting from a young age. My mom was a CPA at a top accounting firm when she graduated New York University. I have always looked up to her and wanted to follow in her footsteps.
I find the most rewarding aspect of my position is the fast-paced environment and ever-changing demands. I love the pace of public accounting and the new challenges I get to face with my team every day.
I find the most challenging aspect of my position is the technical aspect. I once worked with a client that published GAAP and IFRS financial statements. Initially, I found it challenging to constantly switch between GAAP and IFRS. However, as I gained more experience, this process became easier and easier, and I am now much better at it than I would have been had I not had this experience.
The most helpful advice I have for someone preparing for this career is to take advantage of all your opportunities. Use the extensive resources the accounting department offers here at Bentley to your advantage. I learned the most when I got to know my professors outside the classroom, went to the department events, and joined the honors accounting society (Beta Alpha Psi). There is a reason Bentley is repeatedly ranking amongst the best accounting schools in the country, so don’t let your experience here go to waste.
The Bentley specific resources I would recommend to someone pursuing this career are particular professors I had wonderful experiences with. I took Professor Read for AC311 and AC312, Professor Williams for AC310, Professor Sanderson for AC340, Professor Witte (I’ve heard Noga is amazing too!) for tax, and Professor Thibodeau for AC470. This is a short list of the amazing professors I had the privilege to learn from here at Bentley, and I definitely wouldn’t have had such an influential experience at another college or university.
The person that was most helpful in getting me where I am today was, surprisingly, my First-Year Seminar professor. My FYS Professor, Mike Quinn, from freshman year is my greatest mentor at Bentley. Professor Quinn taught me much more outside the classroom than in it. He teaches me every day about the importance of finding your passions, pursuing your dreams, and living life with friends that challenge you and make you a better person. Everything I have done to help Bentley and my own First-Year Seminar students has been with his advice, assistance, and support.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, or you’d like to learn more about the company click here. More specifically, if you are interested in their internship opportunities, here is some additional information. Also, be sure to connect with Jenna on LinkedIn if you want to learn more from her!
