“Student Night” provided Adams State students a chance to interact with CPAs from across the valley.
The San Luis Valley Chapter of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (SLV COCPA) hosted “Student Night” on September 22 at the Alamosa Golf Course Restaurant, The Grille.
According to Kyle Green, CPA with Wall Smith Bateman, Inc. and SLV COCPA president, there were 16 CPAs in attendance from WSB including Jack Holman, CPA, and treasurer of SLV COCPA. Other accountants who attended included Walter Fullwood, CPA, a sole-proprietor from Monte Vista; and Suzanne DeVore, CPA from Valley-Wide Health Systems.
“The student night provides a single, convenient place for students to be able to network with accounting professionals from around the Valley,” Green said. “And it provides accounting professionals with an opportunity to meet many accounting students in one setting. Events like this can be a starting point for future employment and business relationships between the students and accounting professionals.”
Student Night provided students a glimpse of what the accounting profession is outside of the classroom. “Accountants play many different roles in business today – from public accounting to C-Suite positions to not-for-profit and governmental entities,” added Green.
Dr. Michael Tomlin, Adams State professor of management; Lyle Hood CPA, a partner at WSB; Adams State Alumna ’84 Karla Willschau CPA, WSB managing partner; addressed those in attendance. Tomlin encouraged the students to use various forms of motivation, including family, achievements, accomplishments, or service clubs to motivate them during their professional careers. He also said 91 percent of CEOs come through the finance departments.
Hood agreed and said accountants are considered trusted advisers. “We develop special relationships with our clients as we work to solve problems and achieve financial objectives.”
Willschau added the accounting profession is “about people, our clients.”
After over 20 years, the SLV COCPA was reactivated this summer. “We are excited to host more events like this to provide more avenues for students and professionals to connect,” Green said.
