Department of Accounting

Why would you encourage students to get involved in campus life?
"You meet new people, make new friends, learn leadership skills, network with employers and recruiters, get an internship and a job that you want, and of course, give back to the community. Getting involved in campus activities also helped me learn to balance school, work and my social life."

What’s it like to be president of Beta Alpha Psi?

"I joined Beta Alpha Psi last year, and was elected president this fall. Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals. All of our students this semester are accounting majors, but our doors are always open."   

What things do students in Beta Alpha Psi do?

"We go on office visits, sponsor events (in cooperation with the College of Business and Economics) like Accounting Recruiters Hints for Being Hired. We do community service with the Maryland Food Bank. We raise funds for scholarships. I also created a Web site for our organization."

• Beta Alpha Psi Web site

Where do you study?
"I usually do all my school assignments at home, in a quiet environment. Sometimes I go to Cook Library. All I need are my books and laptop to have a good study environment. I stay organized by putting my daily agenda in my PDA."

Max Altmark worked as an accounting intern with Frank Bonanno, manager, SB and Company, LLC.

Have you had an internship?
"Last summer I interned with SB & Company, LLC, a local public accounting firm.  I found out about the opportunity during an Open House hosted by the Department of Accounting. On a typical day at my internship, I assisted the senior staff in conducting audits. I went on audit engagements at the state of Maryland, city of Annapolis, and Harbor Bank. The most important thing I learned is how to communicate with clients, staff and management. One of the partners of the firm has become a mentor. Despite his busy schedule, his door is always open."

Do you have other internships planned?

"I will be interning with RSM McGladrey in the spring and KPMG (a Big Four accounting firm) in the summer of 2008."

How do you spend your free time?
"I enjoy music production, graphic design, Web design, swimming and socializing. Participating in extracurricular activities is important in shaping a good work ethic. If you learn to manage your time, you can complete your work and have free time left to do what you love most."

What was it like growing up in Belarus?

"I was born in Belarus and immigrated to Baltimore with my family when I was 10 years old. I was very excited to move to the United States, but in the beginning it was difficult to learn English and fit into the American lifestyle. My friends really helped me.

"In my school in Grodno, we had a double-schedule system, where some students would have classes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., while others from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We had school on Saturdays too. There were no elementary, middle and high schools; instead there was just one school for all grades (except kindergarten). On Sunday evenings they would broadcast Disney cartoons, and every child would look forward to that broadcast for the entire week."