Internship Spotlight Maher Alidina Accounting Major Audit Intern • PwC • New York City At PwC, Maher is applying his classroom knowledge to public-company audit work while building professional connections across the firm. Maher’s Internship Experience What does a typical day look like? The main project I have been working on is assisting my team with various interim and quarterly audit procedures for a public company. What has been the highlight of your internship so far? The highlight of my internship has been networking with a wide range of people, from my fellow interns to the professionals in the office. I also enjoyed attending firm-wide events. It is an incredible way to take everything in and build lasting connections across the firm. What is something you learned that surprised you? I was surprised by how much public accounting relies on communication and collaboration instead of just number crunching. Although the technical accounting knowledge I learned in class is important, knowing how to ask the right questions, pay attention to details and become integrated with your team are key drivers of success. How did William Paterson prepare you for this opportunity? William Paterson helped prepare me for my internship in many ways. My accounting classes and professors sharpened my technical knowledge, which was key to developing the strong foundation needed to perform audit work. Additionally, the mentoring opportunities and Career Development Center were incredibly helpful as I navigated the recruiting process and developed professionally. How did you find this internship? I connected with PwC at the Meet the Firms networking event hosted at William Paterson’s Cotsakos College of Business. After the event, I applied through the firm’s website, landed an interview and eventually received an offer. How will this experience help you achieve your career goals? My internship at PwC has allowed me to connect what I have learned at William Paterson to the real world. Working on real audit engagements has given me hands-on experience that has expanded my knowledge, as well as the opportunity to network across the firm. PwC has given me a clear look at public accounting, reinforced my goal of becoming a CPA and prepared me to begin my career.
