Accounting and finance are a lot like solving a puzzle, according to Josh Stoner.
The UNK senior decided to enter this profession because he enjoys the analytical nature of the work – taking all the pieces and putting them in the proper place so a client can see the bigger picture.
He stayed in the field because of the people.
“These are some of the hardest-working people I have ever met,” Stoner says. “And most importantly, they also know how to have some fun whenever they can.”
A North Platte native, Stoner earned an associate degree from Mid-Plains Community College before transferring to UNK, where he’s studying business administration with emphases in accounting and finance.
“I love the professors who teach at UNK,” he says. “I could try and name a few, but I would just end up listing every professor in the department since each one of them made a significant impact on my professional career. I also love that each class is hands-on, and we are getting to solve problems and scenarios that I could end up encountering someday.”
Outside the classroom, Stoner is the current chapter president of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance and information systems students.
“That has been one of the most important parts of my professional career,” he says. “Through Beta Alpha Psi, I was able to meet at least 30-plus potential employers, which led to my first internship and my eventual job offer.”
Last tax season, Stoner completed an internship with KSO CPAs + Advisors in Kearney. The following summer, he was an intern doing audit work with Lutz in Grand Island.
“Those experiences were the most valuable part of my whole education,” he says. “They allowed me to take everything that I learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world. The amount of knowledge that I gained on the job has helped me in all aspects of my life.”
Stoner is back at KSO CPAs + Advisors this school year, working as a part-time employee for the local accounting and financial firm. He’ll graduate from UNK in December, then transition into a full-time position.
“I love getting to see the impact I can have on people’s lives and how something like accounting can help set up someone’s financial success.”
