HBE’s intern program has been designed to provide college students considering a career in public accounting with real world experiences in audit, tax, and business advisory related services. Unlike traditional intern programs, our intent at HBE is to provide our interns immediate exposure to client-related work. Therefore, our interns come on board with many of the same responsibilities as our full-time, first-year staff. As a result, our interns have the comprehensive knowledge and understanding needed in order to make a well informed decision about which career path is best for them.
This year, HBE welcomed our largest group of students to our comprehensive, paid internship program. These individuals have been working alongside our professional staff to gain real-world experience.
Ross Gerber
Ross Gerber, from Norfolk, started interning with us in January. Ross is a Masters student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Ross is getting exposure in our HBE 360 area of the firm this summer as well as taking summer courses.
Hobbies: Golf, exercise, and reading.
Fun Fact: I am a triplet. I was born with a brother, Matt, and a sister, Jordan.
Why did you choose accounting? I hadn’t declared a major when I entered college. The introductory accounting courses came easy to me so I decided to give accounting a try.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? If I could travel anywhere it would be to Italy. The architecture and food is amazing there!
If you had one super power, what would it be? The super power I would choose is to freeze time because time goes way too fast.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work? Sleeping in is nice on a day off!
What is your favorite part about HBE? My favorite part about HBE is all of the great people.
Zach Johnson
Zach Johnson, from Elm Creek, started interning with us in January as the first ever Data Analytics Intern. He received his Bachelors Degree in Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May. This summer, Zach has been working closely with the Specialized Consulting Niche and HBEdge.
Hobbies: Fishing, basketball, and reading.
Fun Fact: Growing up I had just about any pet you could imagine. Dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, fish, lizards, frogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds, you name it (not all at once of course).
Why did you chose analytics? I enjoy the problem solving that comes with data analytics. It can be challenging solving many different situations, but it’s equally rewarding once you achieve finding the solution.
What is your favorite book or movie and why? The Dark Knight is my favorite movie! It’s just one of those movies that no matter what I’m doing, if I scroll through the TV and it’s on I have to watch to the end. 10/10.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Italy. The history of Italy and its cities would be amazing to tour. Rome would be a specific place I want to travel to someday.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Fuddruckers in Omaha. The best burgers you could get, hands down!
What is your favorite part about HBE? My favorite part about HBE is the sense of family that I’ve felt and seen within the firm. The people are genuine and always are willing to stop on a dime to help with anything that is needed.
Landen Thieman
Landen Thieman, from Norfolk, started with HBE in January as a Tax Intern. After his graduation from Nebraska Wesleyan in May, Landen accepted a full-time position as an Accountant. He has kept busy with tax projects and audits this summer.
Hobbies: Working on old car, boats, or bikes.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? If I could travel anywhere, I would choose Europe because it is full of history.
If you had one super power, what would it be? I would choose flying so I would never have to sit in traffic.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Chinese food is my favorite type of food!
What are you most looking forward to with your HBE internship? I’m looking forward to getting tax season experience and building relationships with co-workers.
What is your favorite part about HBE? My favorite part about HBE is the relaxed atmosphere and flexibility with scheduling.
Cody McCain
Cody McCain, from Aurora, started with HBE in January of 2016. Cody will graduate in May of 2019 with a double-major in Accounting and Agribusiness from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. This summer, Cody has been working on a variety of tax projects while also taking summer courses.
Hobbies: Running, watches movies, and playing board games with friends.
Why did you chose accounting? I like solving problems and I enjoy being able to service and help others and a career in public accounting allows for me to be able to do both.
Fun Fact: I spent a month studying abroad in China.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would travel to India, because I think that India has a rich culture and a lot of different experiences and sights that I could engage in.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Old Chicago is my favorite place to eat.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work? On a day off from work I always enjoy being able to sleep in during the morning and then hanging out with friends.
What is your favorite part about HBE? What I like most about HBE is that everyone is always around to help each other. HBE’s culture of support has allowed me to grow my knowledge and understanding of accounting, while preparing me for a successful career after college.
Connor O’Toole
Connor O’Toole, from Wilber, started with HBE as a Tax Intern in January. He is going to be a junior at Doane University studying Accounting and Business Administration. Connor will graduate from Doane in May of 2020. This summer, Connor has been working on a variety of projects including tax projects, valuation work, and QuickBooks projects.
Fun Fact: I have played every position on the football field in an actual game over the course of my 10 year tackle football career.
Why did you choose accounting? I took accounting in high school and didn’t like it at all, but when I got to Doane they required all business majors to take the basic accounting classes. When I took those accounting classes, I found that I enjoyed how everything always had to balance out before it was finished.
Favorite class you have taken/why: I took a football and wrestling coaching class my freshman year that was interesting because I play football and my offensive coordinator was the professor. The class had only about 10 students so he was able to tell stories about past coaching experiences.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? My favorite restaurant is Lazlo’s. You can’t go wrong with a sirloin steak and baked potato!
What is your favorite Netflix or Hulu show? My favorite show on Netflix is The Ranch because it’s simple but really funny.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work? On my day off, I enjoy helping out around the farm, watching football, and hunting.
Carter Johnson
Carter Johnson, from Lincoln, started with HBE in January of 2017 as a Tax Intern. This May, Carter graduated with his Masters of Professional Accountancy. Since, Carter accepted a full-time position with HBE as an Accountant. Carter is busy this summer preparing for his CPA Exams.
Hobbies: Watching sports, hanging out with friends and family, playing games, baseball, skiing, racquetball, and basketball.
Fun Fact: I am a big Nebraska Basketball and Chicago Cubs fan.
Favorite class you have taken/why: One of my favorite classes so far has been a racquetball class. I took it as an elective class my freshman year of college but it turned out to be one of my favorite sports.
Why did you chose accounting? I enjoy solving problems that require critical thinking. Accounting is a flexible and rewarding field.
What is your favorite book or movie and why? My favorite movie is School of Rock because it gets me to laugh every time I watch it.
What is your favorite food or restaurant? Mac & Cheese from Fireworks.
What is your favorite Netflix or Hulu show? The Office or Parks and Rec are my two favorite shows.
What is your favorite part about HBE? Everyone at HBE is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Ally Becker
Ally Becker, from Lincoln, started with HBE this tax season as an Administrative Intern while she finished high school at Pius X. Ally will start school in the fall at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and plans to study accounting. Ally will stay busy this summer helping at the front desk and with other administrative duties.
Hobbies: Swimming, watching Netflix, and running.
Why did you choose accounting? I want to go into accounting because it has always been a big part of my life since my dad is an accountant. I have spent a lot of time around it because I always visited him at his office when I was younger. Then, I took accounting classes in high school and enjoyed them!
Fun Fact: I can swim a mile in under 19 minutes (66 laps!)
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why: Bora Bora because it looks beautiful and I love going to the beach.
If you had one super power, what would it be: To be able to fly so I could get places faster and not have to worry about traffic.
What are you most looking forward to with your HBE internship? Learning more about what I want to go into after college and seeing how a business runs.
Favorite part about HBE: Working with super nice coworkers who have helped me learn so much already!
