CSUN Accounting Graduates Usually Stay Close to Home

During the past 30 years, Cal State University, Northridge has built a national reputation for turning out top-notch accounting graduates. So much so, in fact, that all of the Big Four accounting firms maintain continuous recruitment programs on campus. For example, Ernst & Young donated enough money to the university’s College of Business and Economics to support (and have named for the firm) a new career center. A $500,000 grant from the firm matched, dollar-for-dollar, one from a group of Accounting and Information Systems Department alumni, all Ernst & Young employees. Thus was created the Ernst & Young Center for Career Advancement at Cal State, Northridge. “But the center is used for recruitment by all of the big firms and all sizes of firms from across the country,” said Matt Rinnert, director of development at the College of Business and Economics. Yet, even with all that national attention, it is estimated that 70 percent of the college’s graduates work within 50 miles of their alma mater. Another interesting statistic, reflective not only of the efficacy of the university’s accounting program, but also of its alumni’s hometown loyalty, is the fact that 40 percent of regional firms are run by managing partners who got their accounting degrees at Northridge. Every year, the college hosts a networking event that is black tie. “It’s often the first time students actually meet working accounting professionals, CPAs and accounting firm partners,” said Rinnert. “It’s usually their first networking event, period.” The event is about recruitment by local and national firms, representing job opportunities around the country. “The alumni come back on that night and help provide a nice experience for the students,” said Rinnert. “They know how the students feel, because they went through the same experience. Just knowing that can be a big comfort for a young person thrust into that environment with so much at stake.” Rinnert believes that that level of accounting-community support complements the academic program, and explains why CSUN’s accounting grads are so highly sought after. Following is a partial list of CSUN accounting grads who currently hold top jobs in the region and beyond: Michael Grobstein – Crowe Horwath Dave Roberts – Managing Partner, RBZ Harvey Bookstein – Visionary Partner, Founder – RBZ Richard Schenkel – Sobul, Primes and Schenkel Dave Malone – CEO/President – Community Bank David Rainer – CEO – California United Bank Earl Enzer – Managing Director – Goldman Sachs Irwin Zigmond – Larry Miller of Sit N Sleep’s CPA Dan Yukelson – CFO/COO Premiere Radio Networks Lionel Sanders – Managing Partner – Sanders, Kalvin, McMillian, and Carter Alex Yeminidijian – Former CEO – MGM Studios Tony Palma – Former CEO of Easton – Bell Vicki Gabor – VP of Motion Picture Finances – Walt Disney Studios Jeff Rosen – Partner, Ernst & Young Brian Ring – Partner, Ernst & Young Scott London – Partner, KPMG David Liston – CFO, Caruso Affiliated Steve Markheim – President/COO – Electro Rent Jim DeBree – Partner, Deloitte Dave Merritt – Former CFO, I-Crete Tom Pucci – Partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers James Dugan – Partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers Nancy Ngou – Partner, Ernst & Young Rob Greenspan – Managing Partner – Moss Adams Marc Wolf – Managing Principal – Rothstein, Kass Norm Tamkin – Partner HCVT David Krajanowski – Managing Partner, SingerLewak Steve Blume – CFO/COO Content Partners