Meet the Interns 2020

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 yet to our comprehensive, paid internship program. These individuals have been working alongside our professional staff to gain real-world experience.

Collin Bailey

School/Year: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Sophomore

Hometown:  Lincoln, Nebraska

Hobbies: Watching almost all sports, playing piano, playing poker with friends

Fun Fact: I was born in Hutchinson, Kansas!

Why did you choose accounting? I chose accounting because of the great experiences I have had taking accounting courses throughout high school and up to this point in college.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Monaco, it is a beautiful country and has everything a tourist could want.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? It is hard to beat flying!

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Normally, I stick to the gym or hanging out with my fraternity brothers.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone who works here. There are a lot of great personalities and good people.

Ally Becker

 

School/Year: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Sophomore

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Hobbies: Studying, working out, spending time with family and friends, traveling, Netflix/Hulu

Fun Fact: I have swam in the Olympic Trials pool

Why did you choose accounting? I chose accounting because I enjoyed the accounting classes I took in high school and found them very interesting. I knew I wanted to major in something business, and accounting seemed like a great place to start.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Greece, because from the pictures it looks beautiful!

If you had one superpower, what would it be? Photographic memory

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I enjoy catching up on sleep, spending time with family and friends, shopping, traveling, and going to the pool in the summer.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite part about working at HBE is all of the great people I get to work with every day!

Wyatt Bell

School/Year: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Master’s Student

Hometown: Red Cloud, Nebraska

Hobbies: Weightlifting, watching sports

Fun Fact: I went skydiving last summer.

Why did you choose accounting? I took a few classes in high school and really enjoyed it. I like working with numbers, and I’m very analytical and deliberate.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would go to Alaska in the summer because I think it’d be fun to hike in the mountains.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would want to fly so I could get around quicker.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Right now, I am studying for the CPA exam so that takes up a lot of my time. But I like going to the gym, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? Everyone has been very willing to help whenever I have a question.

Lindsey Carley

School/Year: Concordia University, Senior 

Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa

Hobbies: Soccer, basketball, traveling, biking, photography

Fun Fact: I have been to all 50 states.

Why did you choose accounting? I like working with numbers.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Italy, for the scenery and the food.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? Photographic memory

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Hanging out with friends and watching Netflix or Hulu.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? The staff and work environment.

Morgan Konen

School/Year: Nebraska Wesleyan University, Senior

Hometown: Juniata, Nebraska

Hobbies: Watching Netflix, cooking, shopping

Fun Fact: I was on the culinary arts team in high school and I played softball for almost 15 years.

Why did you choose accounting? My high school accounting teacher introduced me to accounting for the first time my junior year and it kind of just clicked. I found myself loving it and getting excited for that class. I enjoy the practicality of it, but also the problem solving and seeing everything come together.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would love to travel to Bora Bora and stay in one of those over-water bungalows. It looks so beautiful and relaxing there.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? I think teleportation would be awesome. Getting to go anywhere at any time for free sounds like a dream.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? On days off, I will either go home to see family or hang out with friends.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I love the culture here! Around every corner there is a smiling face and someone who is willing to help.

Daniel Kruger

School/Year: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Junior

Hometown: Columbus, Nebraska

Hobbies: Rock climbing, listening to music, and Netflix

Fun Fact: In 2019, I listened to 57,817 minutes of music on Spotify. Top artists included Beyoncé, Jon Bellion, and Lizzo.

Why did you choose accounting? Accounting is such a fundamental aspect of business and can lead to many different career paths.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? New Zealand. It always seems so beautiful there, and (with some luck) I could run into Lorde and we could be friends.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? Telekinesis (moving things with your mind). Potential benefits include: flying (moving yourself), accurately throwing objects (future Husker player?), and stealing extra breadsticks from Fazoli’s.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Relaxing, going to movies, and (attempting) to cook

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? Meeting the new interns and helping them to learn new things!

Logan Lichter

School/Year: Doane University, Senior

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Hobbies: Being with friends, wake boarding, playing video games, and working out.

Fun Fact: I am a two-time intramural dodgeball champion at Doane.

Why did you choose accounting? I had a family friend that taught at my high school and convinced me to take her accounting class my senior year. I ended up really liking it so I took an accounting class my first semester at Doane. About a month into that semester, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would go to Dubai because the city fascinates me. I also watched a Youtube video once of people skydiving there and ever since then I have wanted to go.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? Reading people’s minds.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? On a day off I usually still get up somewhat early to get things done around my house. I like to clean my room and do laundry and by that time my roommates are usually awake so then I hang out with them. I just enjoy spending time with my friends.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite parts would be learning the processes that are in place and also meeting and interacting with a lot of new people.

Philip Murphy

School/Year: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Senior

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, writing, catching up on the latest movies and TV shows

Fun Fact: I once ran a half marathon with very little training and it was very difficult. I was still able to finish it, though, and that’s all I was going for.

Why did you choose accounting? I took an accounting class as an elective in high school and I really enjoyed it. I thought I would try a college accounting class and once I found out it was more than just bookkeeping I enjoyed it even more.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would love to visit Italy and just experience all of the different cities in that country and try all the food there. I would love to see Rome, Florence, and Venice most of all.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would love to have the ability of teleportation. If I was bored one weekend, I could think of anywhere in the world and just immediately go there and be back within a few hours.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I enjoy reading, or trying to write based off of different prompts. I also enjoy listening to podcasts. I enjoy watching movies, TV, and playing video games.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? Every person I have talked to so far has been extremely friendly and helpful. I feel like I can go to anyone for a question and they are willing to help me out.

Connor O’Toole

School/Year: Doane University, Senior

Hometown: Wilber, Nebraska

Hobbies: Hunting/fishing, exercising

Fun Fact: I spent a whole summer on an all-liquid diet because I fractured my jaw and couldn’t chew.

Why did you choose accounting? Early on in college I didn’t know what I wanted to do for sure, I just knew I wanted to do something in the business world. when I took the entry level accounting classes it just kind of made sense. I really liked how everything always balanced out.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Italy. I love spaghetti and pizza.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? The power to get every client a refund on their tax return.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Spending time outdoors, hanging out with family/friends and catching up on a TV series/movie.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? Having the ability to excel in a variety of areas and working alongside the clients/being able to communicate with clients as an intern. Also, the fact that I can go to anyone with a question and have the answer in no time.

Brandie Schmitt

School/Year: Doane University, Junior

Hometown: Wilber, Nebraska

Hobbies: Drag racing and 4-wheeling

Fun Fact: I am recently engaged.

Why did you choose accounting? Growing up and watching my mom do accounting work for my parents’ business,I really started to enjoy it and see how important it was from a young age. My dad always says that they would never have been able to start their own business if it wasn’t for my mom’s experience in accounting.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Europe. I have always wanted to be able to travel around there and get to experience a bunch of different areas and the cultures.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would want to be able to fly so I never had to drive again and wouldn’t need to use ladders to reach things.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I enjoy hanging out with my roommates. I live with four other girls and whenever we have free time we always try to make plans to go to Lincoln or cook dinner together.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I enjoy being able to constantly be learning something and be pushed outside of my comfort zone. I also enjoy how friendly everyone is!

Kyle Zeleski

School/Year: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Sophomore

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Hobbies: Golfing, working out, and fishing

Fun Fact: I’m red/green colorblind! To be completely honest, sometimes I have to ask for help picking out outfits if I can’t see the colors very well.

Why did you choose accounting? I chose accounting because I enjoy working with numbers and law. By being an accountant, I kind of get the best of both worlds. I get to work with numbers, but I also get to work with interpreting tax law, keeping up to date on any new laws, and how those changes could affect future clients.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? If I could travel anywhere, I would travel to Italy. Not only does Italy have amazing history, it also has some of the best beaches on the planet.

If you had one superpower, what would it be? The ability to communicate with animals. I want to know what they’re thinking.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Hitting the links with some friends, then getting a good workout in, and finishing off the day watching whatever sport is in season.

What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite part of HBE so far has been the drive for excellence. It is clear that all HBE employees take their job seriously and are dedicated to seeing the firm and their peers thrive and grow.