The Path to Partnership at a “Big 4” Accounting Firm

Story by Alanna Bailey, a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration and a SOM student marketing assistant.

Mike Fink is a UAF School of Management alumnus who earned degrees in accounting and business administration (with a finance concentration) in 2003 and 2004. With his recent admission to the KPMG partnership in the Anchorage office, he is the first SOM graduate to become a partner at one of the “Big 4,” which refers to the four largest accounting firms in the world.

During his time at SOM, Mike was involved in the Student Investment Fund and worked as a student employee helping to manage the fund. This experience allowed him to learn about portfolio management, develop his skills by teaching others and realize the value of getting involved in extracurricular activities.

Mike noticed that in both school and the workplace, people who seek out opportunities to get involved are more likely to succeed. Because of this experience, he advises current students to get involved with a SOM club or organization. “It matters less which one you join and more that you are involved in something,” Mike said.

Taking school as seriously as you would a job is another key to success. Mike advises students to work on establishing a routine that involves putting aside the right amount of time each day for schoolwork, including time outside the classroom. Putting in the effort now will lead to better grades, as well as more opportunities in the future.

Above all else, Mike stresses the importance of making connections and building relationships. Instructors can be a source of guidance, can share potential opportunities, and are often willing to act as references for job applications. Two instructors that stood out to Mike were Ken Abramowicz and Charlie Sparks.

Charlie helped Mike understand what his career options would be after completing the finance program, which encouraged him to go on to also earn his accounting degree. Mike felt that Ken was skilled at explaining the reasoning or “big picture” behind complex tax codes, which made them easier to understand. This philosophy has helped him in his accounting work. It also taught him that understanding the reasoning behind a system would help him reach a resolution. Understanding the motivations of a supervisor, client or board member has similar benefits.

“Mike earned the respect of his peers through his professional and insightful comments during class,” said Ken Abramowicz. “As I think back over my 37 years in the classroom, Mike is definitely one of the most motivated and disciplined students I have had the pleasure of teaching.”

Mike keeps in touch with both instructors because he valued their guidance so much during school. He has continued to prioritize building relationships in his professional career.

“Your place of employment is where you're going to meet people who will be a part of your life for a long time,” he said. “Ideally, you will maintain many of these relationships even after you or those around you leave the company.”

Making connections with co-workers leads to greater happiness and productivity at work and can create many opportunities later on in life. Building good relationships is something that has aided Mike throughout his career and personal life, and he considers it a major contributing factor in his success.

With his recent promotion to partner at KPMG, Mike’s role in professional and educational relationships is evolving. Since finding advocates was so important to his success, he has sought to be that advocate for others. Building relationships has become an important part of Mike's leadership style.

“We are particularly proud of Mike since he is our first partner at a Big 4 CPA firm,” Charlie Sparks said. “The statistics for this accomplishment are staggering. It's important to consider that fewer than 10% get offered a partner position in the first place. I think from the time we got to know Mike when he was a student, we knew that he had exceptional abilities. Making partner at KPMG just confirms our assessment.”

A few of the ways Mike advocates for others are through serving on the board of the Alaska Society of CPAs and the SOM Accounting Advisory Board. As a member of the SOM AAB, he provides feedback regarding the knowledge and skills employers are looking for in current graduates and how the school could provide its students with the desired knowledge and skills. In the workplace, employees look to Mike for guidance and advice. As a partner, he is able to contribute to the direction and strategy of KPMG’s Anchorage office.

“From a professional standpoint, I'm now part of a group of individuals responsible for making decisions that affect the future well-being of the firm, and especially the Anchorage office and its employees,'' he said. “I think about that a lot. It's important to continue to have a successful practice, not only for me, but for people who depend on KPMG.”

An important part of being a leader is looking out for others. Mike does his best to lead his fellow employees in the right direction and provide the guidance they need to be successful. Because advice and connections with other people were so important to Mike’s success, he is giving back by providing those connections to others now.