Professional Speaker Series

Offered Fall and Spring semesters, the Professional Speaker Series (ACG3802) is designed to expose students to technical topics and emerging issues in accounting, business, and in related professions such as law. Guest speakers will provide a practicing professional’s insights regarding technical issues and concerns affecting the accounting profession. Some sessions will relate to professional career planning, and the speakers will discuss various specialty areas, unusual occupations, unique firm practice structures, or non-traditional career opportunities.

Attendance is limited to those students who have registered for the course or have advanced approval from the course coordinator. The course may not be repeated.

Fall 2020

September 10, 2020 - Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton
6:15-7:30pm, Virtual
Speakers: Flo Ostrum, Audit Partner and Kira Warnock, Tax Senior Manager
Topic: Public accounting career progression and emotional intelligence, and why it is the key ingredient to great leaders!

September 17, 2020 - Protiviti

Protiviti
6:15-7:30pm, Virtual
Speakers: Katie Hackett, Melissa Winner, and Jeff Hartman
Topic: Protiviti Overview – Who we are and what we do; Auditing in the Future; and Having an Innovative Mindset

Katie Hackett (Campus Recruiter)

Katie Hackett is the Florida market Campus Recruiter based in Tampa, FL. She started with Protiviti as an intern in 2015 and then began as a consultant in 2016 after graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in Finance. She moved over into Campus Recruiting after 2 years in the practice.

Melissa Winner (Associate Director)

Melissa is an Associate Director based in Tampa, FL. She is in Protiviti’s Business Performance Improvement solution, specializing in Supply Chain operations. Melissa started her career with Protiviti after interning in 2010 and graduating from the University of Florida in 2011.

Jeff Hartman (Managing Director)

Jeff is a Managing Director in Internal Audit based in Orlando, FL. He has a CPA with over 25 years of public accounting, auditing, and private industry experience primarily focused in Hospitality, Real Estate, and Construction. Jeff’s prior experience include Ernst & Young and Walt Disney World.

September 24, 2020 - Honeywell

Honeywell
6:15-7:30pm, Virtual
Speakers: Candy Poels, Mackenzie Patel, and Bianca Sim
Topic: What it’s like to work in Corporate Finance

Candy Poels
Program Leader
Future Finance Leader’s Program

Candy Poels is Program Leader for the U.S. Future Finance Leader’s Program at Honeywell. Candy is responsible for all aspects of recruiting, the internship program, and participant career development throughout the program.

Honeywell is a Fortune 100 software-industrial company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace and automotive products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, cars, homes and buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable.

Prior to this role, Candy was Bombardier Sr. Finance Manager responsible for planning, accounting, financial analysis and strategic goal alignment. Prior to that she was the Airbus Sr. Finance Manager, Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, Manager for the OEM, Aftermarket, & Engineering Cost Accounting group, and held various other roles in accounting and finance.

Candy holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration from W. P Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Mackenzie Patel
Aftermarket Accountant
Future Finance Leader’s Program

Mackenzie Patel is a first rotation FFL in the RFC Aftermarket in Aerospace. Mackenzie oversees the warranty and service programs accounting. Prior to joining Honeywell full-time, she interned in the Tempe office and developed a reporting process for the licensing of a mechanical systems & components aircraft part.

Mackenzie recently graduated from the University of Florida and holds bachelors and masters of accounting degrees. She has completed all four sections of the CPA exam and is gaining work experience to become a fully certified CPA.

Bianca Sim
Sr. Financial Analyst
Honeywell Connected Enterprise

Bianca Sim is a Sr. Financial Analyst for Honeywell Connected Enterprise (HCE). Bianca is responsible for AOP/Forecast, SRO, financial analysis, and customer business team support for HCE Aircraft.

Prior to this role, Bianca was a Sr. Internal Auditor for Corporate leading audit engagements across the the business segments in Honeywell. Prior to that she was the Financial Analyst for Safety and Productivity Solution and General Ledger Accountant for Aerospace.

Bianca holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s in Accountancy from W. P Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.