Kenna Stroop ’16
What was your major/minor and when did you graduate? I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Accounting Major and a minor in Economics in May 2016.
What is your current position (title, company, location)? Can you describe a typical day? I am currently a Senior Audit Associate at KPMG LLP, one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms. A typical day involves completing various workpapers, communication with several client contacts, and overseeing the associate or associates on the engagement. A lot of an auditor’s job involves communications whether via email, phone call or in person.
How did your major prepare you for your current job? UMW’s College of Business program greatly helped me to be prepared for my professional career. Through the program and extracurricular events, I learned how to prepare resumes, effective interview skills, improved my business communication (both written and verbal), and also obtained the necessary business knowledge for my career.
How did you become interested in your field? Intermediate accounting with Professor Machande was the first class that interested me in accounting. I felt that the accounting concepts started to click once I took intermediate and with application rather than learning solely the rules, accounting became interesting. Furthermore, my Auditing course peaked my interest in pursuing a career in Auditing and ultimately led me to look for auditing internships and KPMG.
What’s the best career advice you ever received? Prepare, work hard, and do your best, but then have confidence in yourself and don’t overthink it.
Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were at UMW? Professor Machande made a strong impression on me while I was at UMW. He was my Intermediate Accounting I and Cost Accounting professor while I was at UMW and I also viewed him as a career mentor. He helped me prepare for my KPMG internship interview, which increased my confidence going in and ultimately led to me obtaining the internship. His courses also gave me the necessary knowledge that helped me pass the CPA exam and implement that knowledge in my career.
What’s your fondest memory of UMW? When I went to the College of Business Honors Night my senior year and won the Patricia L. Metzger Award. It felt like a major accomplishment in my collegiate career and made me feel like I was respected by the professors that I respected and looked up to.
Are there any special accomplishments you’ve achieved after college that you’d like to share? I obtained my CPA license in Virginia in December 2018. It was a tough process that took a lot of hard work and dedication but was well worth it!
How would your family or friends describe you in seven words or less? Driven and independent Big 4 federal auditor.
In one sentence, what advice would you give current business students? Take advantage of all of the career preparation that the College of Business offers. Go to the speed networking events, resume preparation events, mock interviews, etc. Even if you are a freshman and you don’t know where you want to take your career or your major, go for the experience. By taking initiative and preparing yourself early, you will be confident in any interview and present yourself in the best way possible.
