What Are We Up To?

"I'm thrilled to announce that I've accepted an internship offer with Grant Thornton starting in January 2025! I met Grant Thornton at MSU Denver's Meet the Firms event, did my research, applied for an opportunity, got an interview, and got the offer! Not only does this opportunity allow me to get hands-on experience, but also paves a way for me to grow both personally and professionally."

Congrats Christian!

Christian Pool, current Accounting major

Future Audit & Assurance Intern at Grant Thornton

Ivan started the MPAcc program this August 2024 to break into the accounting profession. After attending Meet the Firms, they connected with Grant Thornton and already secured a Winter 2026 audit & assurance internship. In the meantime, Ivan started working as a Student Accounting Generalist with MSU Denver's Office of the Controller in November 2024. Congrats Ivan!

Ivan Dodge, current MPAcc student

Student Accounting Generalist at MSU Denver

After completing her undergraduate degree in accounting at MSU Denver, Stephanie started the MPAcc program while also making the career switch to tax life at Richey May & Co. in the Alternative Investments group. In September 2024, she was promoted to Alternative Investments Senior Tax Associate and is also currently in the process of getting her CPA. Congrats Stephanie!

Stephanie Long, current MPAcc student

Alternative Investments Senior Tax Associate at Richey May

"I found a summer 2023 audit internship at Plante Moran through Career Link, which counted for credits during the last semester of my undergrad. During the internship, I secured a winter 2024 internship in tax that counted for credit towards my MPAcc degree. At Plante Moran, I met a colleague who became a mentor and helped me discover that consulting is an excellent fit for me. I’m happy to share that I will begin a full-time position as a Consultant with Plante Moran’s Government Accounting Professionals (PMGAP) in August 2024. I can't wait to make my mark!"

Congrats Milinda!

Milinda Sandoval, current MPAcc student

Consultant at Plante Moran

“I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to work as a tax student associate for the remainder of my master’s degree until I can transition into full-time in July of 2026! I found my original internship with Forvis Mazars through MSU Denver’s Meet the Firms event in 2022. I was welcomed back with another internship this summer 2024, which is where I was able to land this new position!”

Congrats Deja!

Deja Rowe, current MPAcc student

Tax Student Associate at Forvis Mazars

"I am utterly grateful to have begun my accounting journey with MSU Denver! I landed my first accounting position working as a Student Accounting Generalist for the school’s Office of the Controller. MSU Denver events such as ‘Meet The Firms’ allowed me the chance to become acquainted with different accounting firms in the area. Shortly after I graduated, I was given the opportunity to start as a full time Entry-Level Tax Accountant with the RubinBrown accounting firm. I happily accepted the offer and am eager to join! I have also been accepted into MSU Denver’s Master of Professional Accountancy program for the Fall '24 term and am hopeful to continue learning all that I can!"

Congrats Dez!

Adaeze (Dez) Onyewuenyi, B.S. in Accounting '24

Entry-Level Tax Accountant at RubinBrown

"I intended to pursue forensic accounting upon graduation, but found myself at a successful local artisanal pizza restaurant, Walter's303 (try the cauliflower crust, seriously!). My time in the MPAcc program allowed me to pursue a variety of interests and truly thrive, and is a testament to how well MSU Denver prepares their students for real world challenges. In May 2024, I was promoted to Accounting Manager, working closely with the leadership team as the business expands within Colorado and abroad in Puerto Vallarta."

Congrats London!

London Chua, MPAcc, B.S. in Accounting (2019)

Accounting Manager at Walter's303

In May 2024, MPAcc alum Kerry Wilfert started her new role as Tax Manager at Plante Moran! Congrats Kerry!

"I am excited to continue to advance my career in public accounting. I could not have done it without the people and the foundation I built in the MPAcc program at MSU Denver!" 

Kerry Wilfert, CPA, MPAcc '18

Tax Manager at Plante Moran

"I'm thrilled to embark on my Summer 2024 audit internship with Plante Moran. I first learned about Plante Moran through the Meet the Firms Event, where I had the chance to connect with representatives and learn more about their firm culture and opportunities. This internship presents an exciting opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience in the field of audit, building upon the knowledge and skills I've acquired in my classes. As I work towards obtaining my CPA certification, I look forward to immersing myself in the audit process and gaining invaluable insights into the profession. I'm eager to contribute to the team at Plante Moran and further develop my expertise in auditing." 

Congrats Blaine!

Blaine Pierce, current Accounting major

Future Audit Intern at Plante Moran

After participating in MSU Denver’s COMPASS mentorship program, Danielle met a Tax Partner at Ian D Gardenswartz & Associates and heard about an upcoming internship. The rest is history as she’s been an Accounting Paraprofessional there this Spring 2024 term! Through College of Business resources that connected her to local professionals and her accounting coursework that has further developed her analytical skills, Danielle has been doing wonderfully as she is confidently tackling this tax season. Congrats Danielle!

Danielle Cohen, current Accounting major

Accounting Paraprofessional at Ian D Gardenswartz & Associates

Sara started the MPAcc program this January 2024 and hit the ground running. Looking to transition into the accounting profession, she jumped onto C2Hub’s CareerLink and applied for various internship and job opportunities. Even before the February Meet the Firms event, she already had secured an audit internship with CBIZ for Spring 2025. In March, Sara also started a student position with MSU Denver’s accounting services team. Congrats Sara!

Sara Francisco, current MPAcc student

Future Audit Intern at CBIZ

In his search for an internship, junior Accounting major Jackson Teets has just secured a Summer 2024 tax internship with Moss Adams! As he continued to take advantage of MSU Denver resources and events like Meet the Firms, it was his presence on LinkedIn that allowed for multiple recruiters to reach out to him about various opportunities. Congrats Jackson!

Jackson Teets, current Accounting major

Future Tax Intern at Moss Adams

Junior Accounting major Zev Cohen is applying what he learned in his income tax class as a Tax Intern at SingerLewak this Spring 2024 term. Building upon what he learned in class about the differences between incomes, he is now getting experience in putting these incomes on a tax return and applying exclusions and deductions from a tax return. Congrats Zev!

Zev Cohen, current Accounting major

Tax Intern at SingerLewak

After earning both her B.S. in Accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy degrees in December 2023 as part of our Combined Degree MPAcc program, Morgan started a new position in February 2024 as a Senior Revenue Accountant at Air Methods. Congrats Morgan!

Morgan Hendricks, MPAcc, B.S. in Accounting (2023)

Senior Revenue Accountant, Air Methods

MPAcc alum Scott Crawford celebrated the new year with a new professional home! In January 2024, Scott joined Thea Pharma Inc. as Assistant Controller – OTC. Then in February, Scott shifted roles to the Associate Director, Financial Planning & Analysis. Congrats Scott!

Scott Crawford, MPAcc '20

Associate Director, Financial Planning & Analysis at Thea Pharma Inc.

After completing an internship at Grant Thornton that she first got connected to through a Meet the Firms event, Thanh Cao received a full-time job offer well before she crossed the graduation stage. Thanh completed her master's degree in December 2023 and transitioned her role as an intern to a full-time role as an Audit Associate in January 2024. Congrats Thanh!

Thanh Cao, MPAcc '23

Audit Associate, Grant Thornton

Christian Allognon has had quite the educational journey since completing his bachelor’s degree in international relations & political science in Benin, Africa in 2012. From there he completed an intensive English language program in Nevada, took undergraduate accounting courses at CCD and MSU Denver, and then started our master’s program. Christian earned his MPAcc degree in August 2020 and has been working in the field and preparing for the CPA. In January 2024, Christian officially got his CPA license. Congrats Christian!

Christian Allognon, MPAcc '20

Reporting Accountant at Ovintiv

Recent MSU Denver alum Deja Rowe was fortunate enough to not only get one but THREE internships through MSU Denver's Meet the Firms event. She recently started her career at Plante Moran as a tax intern out of the Denver Tech Center. Congratulations Deja!      

Deja Rowe, B.S. in Accounting '23

Tax Intern at Plante Moran

Through active networking, Marni Horan secured a risk assurance internship at Armanino LLP in Summer 2023 which led to her full-time job offer after her December 2023 graduation. Now as an MPAcc alum, Marni started her role as Associate I, Trust-Assurance with Armanino LLP in January 2024. Congratulations Marni!    

Marni Horan, MPAcc '23

Associate I, Trust-Assurance at Armanino LLP

Jo Erven, Lecturer and Director of Internal Audit Education, was recognized for her community impact as a recipient of COCPA's 2023 Everyday Heroes & Heroines award. Congratulations Jo!

Amanda "Jo" Erven, CPA, CIA, CFE, CTQA

COCPA Gala - CPAs Make a Difference