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Monday, March 18, 2024
The Observer

Saint Mary's students receive accounting awards

SMC students receive awards
Courtesy of Gwen O'Brien


Last week, five Saint Mary's students received awards for dedication and excellence in accounting. The awards, presented by the department of business and economics, highlight the success of students in respective courses, but also on the character and development of the students.

Junior Kaileigh Moore was presented the Bridget Anderson/KPMG Award last Monday at the department of business administration and economics’ Accounting Awards ceremony. The Bridget Anderson/KPMG Award is a $2,000 award given to an accounting junior for excellence in the principles of accounting sequence.

Senior Diana Matuszak was presented the Ernst & Young Award, a $1,000 award given to the accounting senior judged most likely to succeed in public accounting.

Matuszak said she made it a goal during her sophomore year to earn one of the accounting department's awards.

“[The award] is a great accomplishment,” she said.“I feel very proud that my hard work is paying off.”

Earning the award has shown Matuzsak that there is more to success in the accounting world than grades alone, she said.

“Though I do work very hard for good grades, [success in accounting] is about detection and ability to work well with others also,” she said.

Matuszak said this past summer she had an interning in public accounting within the audit sector for Grant Thorton in Chicago.

While the Ernst & Young Award is given to a student “most likely to be successful in public accounting,” Matuszak said accounting is all about being able to work well with others, while also being good at what you do.

Senior Bailey Benoit earned the Crowe Horwath Award, a $1,000 award presented to an accounting senior for outstanding achievement in personal and corporate tax.

Senior Alexandra Vizard was given PricewaterhouseCoopers Award, a $1,000 award given to an accounting senior for excellence in accounting leadership.

Senior Sophia Wilk was presented the Deloitte Award, a $1,000 award given to an accounting senior for excellence in intermediate accounting. Wilk said it was an honor to be recognized by one of the largest accounting firms in the country.

“[The award] encourages me to stay motivated to achieve success in my professional and academic goals,” she said.“By achieving this award, I believe I have represented what Saint Mary's College allows every student, opportunity to succeed and grow through service in the community.”

Over the summer, Wilk said she did not have a typical accounting internship, but rather served at Samaritan Counseling Center, a non-profit organization in South Bend.

“The experience allowed me to live out what I have learned at Saint Mary's, that I can grow as an individual and professional through community service while expanding my knowledge through academic pursuit.”