At DeJoy, Knauf & Blood, we’ve built our unique internship program on the conviction that every member of our team plays an integral role in our firm’s success. Our program is designed to identify potential team members who are hardworking and passionate, and to prepare you for a successful transition from college to career. We asked our interns a few questions on how they felt about their time with Team DKB this busy season and here’s what they had to say!
Why did you want to intern here?
I wanted to intern here for busy season after I got to talk to the staff at RIT’s career fair. They were all really nice and seemed like a crowd that catered well to entry level staff (Questions, concerns, etc.) I also really enjoyed the interview I had with Dave and Morgan. They weren’t scary and didn’t seem bored with our conversation.
– Calista Kulakowski
Out of all the firms I interviewed with, I chose DKB because of the people I met throughout the recruiting process. I had heard from several of my professors that DKB is a great firm to work for, and I felt that I would have the opportunity to challenge myself while working in a friendly and helpful environment.
– Caralyn White
I really liked the atmosphere here, from the interactions I had with other employees to the actual office space itself. Everyone was so welcoming and really seemed interested in helping me develop personally and professionally. I visited here multiple times and every experience was better than the last.
– Jenna Deverell
I wanted to intern at DKB because I wanted a challenge. DKB’s diverse industry knowledge was the perfect fit for myself. I also chose to intern at DKB because I wanted to have an immersive experience in seeing the operational and technical side of public accounting firms.
– Sam Huzyk
I wanted to intern at Dejoy, Knauf & Blood LLP because I was looking to gain experience in the accounting world and I heard a lot of good things about DKB during the recruiting process. I pictured myself working for a regional firm in the Rochester area and I felt that DKB provided not only the culture for personal growth but also the opportunities of a big firm.
– Willy Stevenson
I wanted to intern here because I felt the team oriented atmosphere that resonates from top to bottom at DKB. Also the people are intelligent and driven but also know how to have fun. The Interview process emphasized looking for people with strong communication skills, a passionate attitude, and a willingness to learn.
– Dan Lukaszonas
I felt very comfortable here during my second round interview and everybody seemed very friendly. I was already setting my sights on local and regional firms for the “family” like experience, and DKB seemed like it would be a great place to learn and grow with a supportive network around me.
– Luke Krenzer
What skills did you gain from this experience?
I have more software experience with Prosystems and Engagement (software that are commonly used in the tax industry). I know how to approach both Business and tax returns and feel more comfortable with application of I learned in college. I also have drastically improved my problem solving and critical thinking skills.
– Calista Kulakowksi
The tax internship allowed me to connect my coursework with real world, hands on experience. I learned a great deal, from how to navigate the various software programs that the firm utilizes, to how to organize and document client files.
– Caralyn White
Aside from the obvious technical and software skills, DKB has helped me develop my communication and critical thinking skills. We’re encouraged to interact with people at all levels and ask lots of questions to complete any of the projects we’re given. I’ve become much more confident in my abilities to communicate things to higher level employees whether it be in asking questions, asking for new learning opportunities, or communicating the status of projects.
– Jenna Deverell
Two skills that were strengthened during my time at DKB were being able to multi task and time management. The program allows individuals to push themselves to become better in these areas gradually over time and these sharpened skills will translate for myself for years to come.
– Sam Huzyk
Through my internship, I learned how to communicate effectively with others to address certain client problems or issues. I feel that my ability to ask appropriate questions also improved because I was so curious about the different tax laws and unique situations. I am also certain that my ability to work with others improved since everyone in the office is willing to help, I found that I really enjoyed getting feedback from others and working with different people.
– Willy Stevenson
The ability to learn a complex tax return process on the fly. The ability to communicate effectively in all aspects of the word: in person, on the phone, through email, IM, and modern communication applications like Trello. Lastly, the ability to stay calm under pressure when approaching a deadline.
– Dan Lukaszonas
I learned a lot about audit principles that will greatly aid me in future work and classes. Additionally, I believe I have improved on a lot of soft skills, such as professional communication, teamwork, and time management.
– Luke Krenzer
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Completing returns with little to no review points to clear by the end of the season.
– Calista Kulakowski
After gaining experience with personal tax returns, I was given the opportunity to move on and complete more complex and challenging tax returns. I appreciate that my accomplishments were recognized, and was excited that, as an intern, I was assigned the same level of work that a first year or experienced staff accountant would be working on.
– Caralyn White
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is completing a tax return as an intern that in previous years has been completed by senior level employees. It was a great learning experience to take on something more challenging and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have been able to take on something like that and develop my skills to an even higher degree.
– Jenna Deverell
I am most proud of being able to be a part of the process, in most if not every return that was prepared during busy season.
– Sam Huzyk
I am most proud of the knowledge that I have learned through the experience, I feel that school gives you a baseline to work with but getting out in the real world has taught me a lot. I have learned all about the software that we use and what specific information is important. I feel that I have also learned what type of culture that I want to be a part of and hopefully I work somewhere with a great culture like DKB.
– Willy Stevenson
Being a master chef when cooking pancakes for the rest of the firm. Also, getting through my first real busy season in general.
– Dan Lukaszonas
I don’t believe that that there is any one specific accomplishment I am proud of, but I do feel a general sense of accomplishment for the internship as a whole. I learned a lot about both accounting and life skills during my time with DKB. Additionally, I am proud that I was able to integrate myself to an office setting, as I have worked mostly manual labor jobs before this.
– Luke Krenzer
Outside of the technical work, how have you enjoyed your time with DKB? (social events, etc.)
Everyone is really friendly, but a lot of the events and conversations were really sports focused and I don’t really know anything about sports so that made it difficult at first.
– Calista Kulakowski
Through DKB I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of social events, from happy hours to the annual St. Patrick’s Day pot luck. I have also had the pleasure to meet many friendly people who are always willing to help, and who went out of their way to make me feel welcome at the firm.
– Caralyn White
I’ve loved how much DKB does outside of the technical work side of things here. They provide a lot of chances to relax and just socialize with other people in the office which has helped tremendously in helping me feel welcome here. In my experience hearing about other firms, no other company does as much as DKB to make sure that the staff all gets an opportunity to bond and it makes it feel like a family atmosphere.
– Jenna Deverell
Social events at DKB provide a great work/social balance. From attending sports games, to banquets and get togethers, DKB’s social events stand out as something different from other work places.
– Sam Huzyk
Through attending some social events at DKB like the March Madness gathering and the pancake breakfast I have learned that it brings the people closer. Attending these events has showed me that the people you respect in the workplace are also great people outside of work and I think that is what makes DKB so special.
– Willy Stevenson
DKB routinely hosts events to make tax season less stressful. There was a happy hour during March madness with endless food and drinks, I watched the University of Buffalo win their round of 64 game. Also every Thursday a lot of the guys would play basketball together, that was a great time.
– Dan Lukaszonas
I really have enjoyed my time with DKB. It is a great group of people that work here and I never felt that I was out of place or a stranger when joining others for both sanctioned and non-sanctioned gatherings.
– Luke Krenzer
What do you like to do outside of work?
Garden, Cook, Lift, Poker nights, Training my dog, paint.
– Calista Kulakowski
In my free time I enjoy cooking, and trying new recipes. I also like to go hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
– Caralyn White
Since I’m still in school full time and work as an RA full time I don’t have a ton of free time but I like to go running and work out and I read a lot. I also like to try new restaurants and new foods.
– Jenna Deverall
I am an avid sports fan that enjoys watching and attending sporting events.
– Sam Huzyk
I enjoy playing sports such as football and lacrosse. I also enjoy playing golf in the summertime and I have made a couple great connections at DKB since that is something a lot of people in the office like to do.
– Willy Stevenson
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends in Geneseo and my home city of Buffalo. I’m a huge Bills and Sabres fans so I like going to the games when I can.
– Dan Lukaszonas
Most of my free time is spent working in my shop. I have a number of ongoing projects that I like to work on, including cars, motorcycles, and antique tractors.
– Luke Krenzer
Do you have any recommendations or tips for future interns here at DKB?
I’ve found that my problem solving skills have drastically improved here just from my willingness to think about a question and work through it before I approach someone else about it. Think about a question and work through it and I’m not saying that because the people here are bothered by questions, because they’re not. Working through a problem you find in the software or the TR can help you understand the content better and become more familiar with the tax laws and software in general.
– Calista Kulakowski
In my experience, the keys to succeed during your internship at DKB are to have excellent time management skills, organizational skills, and a strong attention to detail. You should also take advantage of the various mentors and coaches that DKB assigns to you at the beginning of your internship.
– Caralyn White
Take lots of notes! Everyone here is so willing to help and will give you tons of information to help you out in any way they can and being able to have that information at your desk helps out SO much and is a good reference for the future if you encounter something similar and already have the information you need. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions! I know it sounds so cliché but, again, everyone is so willing to help and the more questions you ask the more you learn to make the most out of your experiences here.
– Jenna Deverell
My first advice would be to be a sponge. Soak in all of the experience that you are gaining at the firm and leverage it to challenge yourself within your projects. Also do not ever to hesitate to ask questions the team is great at explaining situations in different ways to explain points.
– Sam Huzyk
My biggest recommendation is to learn something new every day and keep track of it because in the long run you are going to see how much you really have learned. Another thing is to appreciate it, I feel that my time with Dejoy, Knauf & Blood has been very fulfilling and the environment they provide is one that you can certainly grow in. Keep asking questions and try to reach out to your coworkers because they are always willing to help no matter the topic.
– Willy Stevenson
Communication is key, take time to understand the preferred method of communication for everyone in your department, especially managers and partners. Understand that you will make mistakes, your job is to learn from them and to try to not make the same mistake twice. Stay positive, be willing to learn and ask as many questions as possible.
– Dan Lukaszonas
The best piece of advice I can give (which I still have trouble with myself) is to not be afraid to ask questions, because there is going to be a lot that you don’t know. It may feel like you are starting to be an annoyance after your fourth question of the hour, but nobody cares as long as you are asking the right questions and being courteous of others time. It is more beneficial for both yourself and the firm if you ask a question and learn how to do something the right way than not asking the question and having to go back and fix something.
– Luke Krenzer
