Career Presentation for Senior Seminar

1. Career Presentation
Brenna O’Leary
SLA 400 76 Senior Seminar

2. Introduction
O I will cover the following categories for my
career presentation
 Academics
 Class Projects
 Awards
 VITA
Internship/Volunteerin
g
 Highmark Internship
 Sports Participation
 Resume
 Areas of development
 Areas of improvement
 Plans for the future

3. Academics
O Current GPA :: 3.89
O Major :: Accounting
O Major GPA :: 3.90
O Have been able to achieve high
academic standing & the respect of my
professors and advisors

4. Academics
Credits
Major
Liberal Arts
Electives
6939
15

5. Class Projects
O Some of my most work-
intensive and detailed
assignments have
displayed my ability to
succeed in academics at
Seton Hill
O Financial Statement
Analysis
O Analysis of Starwood
Hotels & Resorts
O A 35-page research paper
on the financial status of
the company

6. Class Projects (cont.)
O Corporate Finance
O Dynavox, Inc.
O Created a new capital structure &
presented my decision to the class

7. Class Projects (cont.)
O Principles of Finance
O Verizon Communications, Inc.
O 20-page research paper analyzing various
components of the company’s financial
status
O Ratios, leverage, current
investments, retirement plans, financial
statements

8. Awards
Nominated for
PICPA
Outstanding
Senior Award by
my advisor
Dean’s List
each
semesterReceived full-
tuition academic
scholarship

9. VITA Internship/Volunteering
O During the Spring semester of my junior year, I
participated in the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance program.
O I worked in the downtown Greensburg office from
February-April, totaling over 120 hours
O I had to become certified as a volunteer tax
preparer and complete training before I started
O Had to pass a series of three tests
O I prepared various types of tax returns
(single, married, married filing separately, etc.)
O Filed federal, state, and local tax returns
O Worked with clients face to face

10. Highmark Internship
O From May – August 2013, I interned in the
Financial Accounting & Reporting department at
Highmark.
O I completed various projects for the FAR
team, including one completely on my own
O BlackLine Tasks Module development
O Attended various intern events held by the company
O Volunteering at Satchels for Caring, networking
opportunities, etc.
O I still remain in contact with my supervisors from
Highmark, as they have all continued to help my
development as an accounting professional

11. Highmark Internship (cont.)
O List of Major Work Assignments
O HMPG Provider Reporting
O Debt Covenant Reporting
O BlackLine Tasks Module
O Pension and Postretirement Plan
Audits
O Monthly MAR Control Compliance
O journal entries, statements, etc.
O Research Project
O Attend Monthly Pre-close/Staff
Meetings

12. Highmark Internship (cont.)
O Excerpt from my Intern Evaluation
completed by my supervisor, Thomas
Vincent.

13. Sports Participation
O 4-year starter for the Seton Hill Women’s
Soccer team
O Primarily played central midfield. Also played
outside midfield and forward at times
O Served as a captain during my senior season
O Career Statistics: 7 goals, 7 primary assists
O Named CoSIDA Academic All-District
following my junior season
O Named WVIAC Honorable Mention Player of
the Week twice

14. Sports Participation (cont.)

15. Resume
O All of the previously
mentioned
experiences have
made up my current
resume.
Brenna Leeann O’Leary
2840 Bingham Drive • Pittsburgh, PA 15241
Phone: 412-983-6940 Email: brenna.oleary17@gmail.com
Education
Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA
Bachelor of Science: Accounting May 2014
GPA/Major GPA: 3.83
Hours Completed: 109 as of Completed Fall 2013
Hours Anticipated: 121 for Spring 2014
Peters Township High School – Graduation 2010
GPA: 4.2
Class of 2010 Valedictorian
Work Experience
Financial Accounting and Reporting Intern: Highmark Health Services – May 2013-August 2013
· Collaborated with senior team members on chart of accounts integration for three
disparate general ledger systems concluding with a final proposed account structure
· Performed senior account duties related to the monthly closing process utilizing
PeopleSoft and Hyperion
· Implemented BlackLine Task Management module to facilitate monthly closing
process including development and execution of staff training
· Managed monthly internal control procedures to ensure compliance with Model Audit
Rule
· Researched FASB ASC guidance, crafted and defended an accounting position
surrounding the reporting of rebates provided by group purchasing organizations to its
members.
Accounting, Finance, and Economics Tutor: Seton Hill University – February 2012-Present
· Demonstrated complex concepts and methods while providing students with learning
strategies to achieve success in the classroom
Awards
· Dean’s List ‒ Each Semester
· SHU Seton Scholar – Full-Tuition Academic Scholarship
Leadership
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) Tax Preparer – February-April 2013
· Interviewed eligible taxpayers and prepared income tax returns as an IRS-certified
volunteer
Seton Hill University Women’s Soccer Team – 4 years
· Team Captain
Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society – 3 years
Peters Township Library Community Service – 5 months
Animal Friends Fundraiser
Make-A-Wish Foundation Event
Satchels of Caring Event

16. Areas of Development
O Accounting skills
(through
classes, internships
)
O Networking skills
O Written and oral
communication
O Ability to work
independently and
in a team
O Experience
working with clients
O Personal and
professional growth

17. Areas of Improvement
There are various areas that I will look to improve as
I move on from Seton Hill University
O Business acumen
O Continue to
improve and learn
more accounting
skills
O Gain more
experience working
with professional
clients
O Communication
skills
O Develop more
confidence in my
professional
decision making
O Leadership skills

18. Plans for the Future
O Begin career with
Sisterson & Co,
LLC
O Become a Certified
Public Accounting
(CPA)
O Earn my Master of
Business
Administration
(MBA) at Duquesne
University

19. Thank you!