December is here and finals start in just over a week. As the fall semester begins to close, so does the fall portion of my internship at Stephano Slack. Looking back at what I have done in my time here, I am amazed at how much I have learned in such a short period of time. I had no experience with public accounting before I started my internship and now there are a number of different public accounting tasks that I am able to accomplish. The more I think about what I have done in my time here, the more I realize just how much I have learned over the last three months. I have learned a lot about how businesses operate just by handling the recording of purchases and payments diverse sets of companies. The most valuable skill that I have learned is how to think like an accountant. I am starting to be able to really think about business transactions through the lens of accounting. While I may only have experience with a small number of tasks, this skill that has been partly learned and partly taught will help me with my upcoming assignments. More than anything else, beginning to develop this mindset is the most valuable thing that I have learned.

Tax season is fast approaching and as my first time going through it in an accounting firm, I do not know what exactly to expect. I have heard about long hours and working on Saturdays, but other than that I do not know what I am walking into. However daunting this coming spring may seem, I know that I have the experience and skills from the fall to help me through it. Looking back on my time so far at Stephano Slack, I have found that I am prepared to help with any assignment knowing that, through the support of the people there and what they have taught me, I will make it through.

-Ben

Visit Stephano Plus