Jacob Rechsteiner — a 2018 graduate of the McGraw School of Business at Olivet Nazarene University — is taking the summer to prepare for his new job with Plante Moran in Chicago.
Plante Moran — ranked in the top 15 of the largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms in the U.S. — offers audit, accounting, tax and business advisory consulting services. As an audit staff member, Jacob will do audits for the company’s business clients and make sure all information is being recorded correctly. Plante Moran does auditing for companies in many different sectors, meaning he can be working with a variety of clients on a day-to-day basis.
Jacob, who is originally from Grand Blanc, Michigan, will be relocating to the Chicagoland area. He felt the city has great appeal as a place for a young professional to begin a career.
His career really began when he first encountered Plante Moran at a one-day career development event he attended as a college sophomore. His interest in accounting increased, and he completed his Olivet education. Then he decided to pursue a job with this firm.
Accounting firms begin the hiring process early in the fall each year, leading Jacob to apply for the position toward the beginning of his senior year. Plante Moran reviewed his online application and asked him to do a phone interview. After passing that interview, a few days later was asked to do an in-person interview.
On his way home from the in-person interview, he received a phone call and the offer of a position as an audit staff member.
Mock interviews set up by Olivet’s Enactus helped Jacob become a better interviewee and more comfortable with the job search process. He reflects on his Olivet experience saying, “Olivet has a lot to offer, especially with interviewing and resume preparation. But each individual needs to take the initiative and take advantage of all the benefits Olivet offers.”
Professor Robert Knisley of Olivet’s McGraw School of Business says, “Jacob is an outstanding scholar. He’s conscientious and intentional about whatever he puts his mind to, whether in the classroom or in his extracurricular activities. He’s also very disciplined, and that preparedness will serve him well as he begins this next chapter.”
“My accounting and finance classes at Olivet set me up to not only understand the material, but to continue to hold my work at a higher standard, an Olivet standard,” says Jacob.
As he awaits his new job, Jacob is currently studying for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, which he plans to finish by the end of November.
In the future, Jacob hopes he can either become a partner of an accounting firm or even start his own firm.
To learn more about the McGraw School of Business at Olivet, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Photos submitted by Jacob Rechsteiner and used with permission.
Published: 7/12 /2018
