Alumni Connections Shine at Accounting Firm Night

The Maine Business School recently hosted its annual Accounting Firm Night (AFN) at the Buchanan Alumni House, bringing together 61 business students and 11 UMaine alumni. Representatives from 10 leading accounting firms across New England shared information about internships and early career opportunities in public accounting.

For many students, the highlight of AFN is the chance to connect with alumni who once stood in their shoes. For the alumni, it’s an equally meaningful opportunity to give back, share guidance, and meet the next generation of business leaders.

Heather Goan, ’20, tax manager at Baker Newman Noyes, loves hearing what students are excited about. “Whether that’s classes, internships, or job prospects, I love being able to answer their questions,” she says. “It’s great to see them taking initiative by attending firm events and starting those conversations early.” 

Riley Andrews ’24, ’25G, a staff auditor at BerryDunn, enjoys the opportunity to relate to what students are going through and share tips and advice she learned during her time at UMaine. “Events like AFN help us build relationships with students who are passionate about the profession and identify future team members who align with BerryDunn’s values and goals,” she says.

“With job sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of résumés,” says Craig Blackwell ’16,’ 22G, an audit senior at Otis Atwell. “These networking events are where we can meet prospects face to face, giving students another opportunity to showcase who they are off-paper.”

The impact of professional development events goes beyond one evening. Alumni like Riley Andrews encourage students to attend as many networking opportunities as they can—even those outside their major. “Each time a student attends, they not only expand their opportunities but also build confidence in speaking with recruiters,” she says.

Dave Barrett, Lecturer in Accounting at MBS, says that his current students appreciate getting to chat with both the older alumni who have made a successful career in public accounting and the younger alumni who are just starting out. “It also gives the students the chance to ‘interview’ a bunch of different firms so they can figure out where they might feel the most comfortable after graduation,” he says.

Events like Accounting Firm Night underscore the powerful role alumni play in shaping the Maine Business School experience. By sharing their time, expertise, and encouragement, UMaine graduates open doors for current students and strengthen the Black Bear business community.