Student guide
Fall 2026 Accounting Recruitment Week
Meet the Firms
Attend our Meet the Firms event on September 25th from 1:00pm - 6:30pm in the Wood Center Ballroom! This interactive networking event gives students the opportunity to connect with employers from public accounting firms, private industry and government agencies to learn about internships, full time positions and career opportunities. Current jobs and internship postings are available in Handshake. Be sure to register early to view participating employers and explore the wide variety of job opportunities available before the event.
The traditional name has stuck, but “Accounting Recruitment Week” is really a lot more than just one week! It is a collection of events held every year specifically for accounting students and alumni. Accounting professionals from across Alaska come to campus for the Meet the Firms networking event to get to know you and share the opportunities they have available. You’ll be able to submit your applications to the attending employers, with the potential to interview! Most recruiters are looking for students on a public accounting track, but we welcome all kinds of accounting students to this event. All recruiters involved are happy to talk with you about discerning the path that’s best for you.
The Process
Accounting Recruitment Week is a time to explore a variety of internship opportunities and career pathways with both local and national firms. There are many events, and steps you will take throughout what is essentially accounting recruitment month. We strongly encourage you to attend Accounting Recruitment Week orientation (see under ‘Dates and Deadlines’) to have the greatest success. In the meantime, please utilize the following information and attached checklist.
Prepare
- Review this website to gain a comprehensive understanding of Accounting Recruitment Week
- Review open positions on
- Visit the event on accounting firms
- Assemble a professional outfit
- to activate your FREE student account prior to this event. Simply log in with your UA username and password.
- Make sure your Handshake account is updated as employers will be reviewing your profile.
- You will be using Handshake to participate in this event. You may prefer to download the mobile app for an easier experience. [, ]
- Attend Meet the Firms on Friday, September 25. This is an interactive tabling event where you will be able to connect with accounting
firms and discuss open positions and career opportunities.
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- Prepare a to ask attending firms.
- Practice your .
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Apply
Update your resume, think of experiences you can tie into cover letters, and make sure you have at least three professional references ready if asked. Have these materials reviewed by more than one person. Consider with UAF Career Services office to review your resume and cover letter and conduct a mock interview.
- Many applications require a reference. We encourage you to contact faculty and previous supervisors by September 14 if requesting they be listed as a reference.
- Update your resume and cover letter prior to the application deadline.
- Please refer to the Career Services Resource Library for resume and cover letter guides, along with sample resumes and cover letters, to help you prepare your application materials.
- Ask your faculty for feedback on your resume and cover letter.
- Apply to open positions by Sunday, September 27 at 11:59pm AKST
Interview
If you are selected to interview, you will contacted directly by the individual firms. Be sure to give them a good email and phone number and check your email regularly!
- Complete mock interview appointments with Career Services in preparation for interview weeks.
- Participate in accounting interviews between September 30 - October 14. Interviews may be in-person on-campus, off-campus, or virtual. The accounting firm will contact you directly to schedule interviews.
Follow up
Whether or not you get the job, send a thank you card or email to the firms. If you haven't heard back from a recruiter more than one week after your interview, send an email or call the firm.
- Follow-up each interview by sending a thank you email to the hiring committee.
After every accounting recruitment event, we ask recruiters, "What advice would you give applicants who plan to interview next year?" See what they had to say in past years:
- "Come prepared to talk about your future. This includes knowing their graduation date and CPA eligibility plan. How they will get where they would like to be. How they will differentiate themselves" (BDO USA, LLP, 2021)
- "Have a plan for the CPA exam!" (Altman, Rogers & Co., 2021)
- "Follow up emails after an interview are something that should be done even if you're not interested in the firm you interviewed with. Maintaining eye contact is another thing I saw candidates struggling with." (The Brandon Skinner Group, P.C., 2021)
- "You will benefit from resume help and interview practice." (RJG A Professional Corporation, CPAs 2018)
- "Give the interview and the process 100% even if you are not sure where you want to end up. You never know who knows who or when you will see someone again. First impressions matter." (State of Alaska Division of Legislative Audit, 2018)
- "Never be afraid to ask questions. Make sure your contact numbers and email addresses are current and up to date." (Wilson & Wilson CPAs, Inc. , 2018)
Schedule:
Friday, September 25: CBSM Accounting Day
Location: UAF Wood Center Ballroom at 1731 S. Chandalar Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775
- 1 pm - 2:30 pm | Professional Development Day (Employer & Student Panels)
- 2:30 pm - 3 pm | Lightning Round Firm Introductions
- 3 pm - 4 pm | Appetizers and Mingling
- 4 pm - 5:30 pm | Speed Networking
- 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Open Networking at Employer Booths
Sunday, September 27 @ 11:59 pm AKT: Candidate application deadline
Wednesday, September 30 - Wednesday, October 14: Interviews (Accounting firms will contact you directly to schedule your interviews.)
Wednesday, October 21 @ 5:00 pm AKT: Deadline for applicants to accept or decline offers
What is Handshake?
Handshake is the 鶹's career management website. It's easy to navigate, works on your phone, and allows you to find jobs and connect with local and national firms. Handshake is where you will find information about the firms attending Accounting Recruitment Week and the jobs and internships they have posted. It is also where you will apply for positions!
Handshake resources:
Send a follow-up message to employers through Handshake or direct email.

