Waynesburg University recently hosted representatives from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Commonly referred to as simply Deloitte, the company is one of the most widely admired accounting firms in the world and is often recognized as one of the “Big Four” accounting firms.

On their website, Deloitte describes their own company as determined to not only help their clients but to change society.

“For us, good isn’t good enough,” the website reads. “We aim to be the best at all that we do—to help clients realize their ambitions, to make a positive difference in society and to maximize the success of our people. This drive fuels the commitment and humanity that run deep through our every action.”

Representatives from Deloitte visited Waynesburg University March 29 to discuss careers in public accounting with faculty and students of the Business Administration Department.

Professor William Stough was able to use his connections to bring representatives from the firm to Waynesburg University.

“Dan [Potetz] and I have known each other for a lot of years,” Stough said. “I just asked him if he would come to campus.”

Stough believes that for students to meet those who have climbed the ladder in a “Big Four” accounting firm would show them it is obtainable.

“It is not out of reach to go to a Big Four,” Stough said. “To understand Dan [Potetz] and Michael [Sorkin] are normal people.”

The visit began with a lunch hosted by President Douglas Lee, at which the Deloitte visitors were greeted by senior staff members chair of the business administration department Dr. Gordon McClung, business administration professors Jayne Olshanski and William Stough as well as business administration students.

The visitors also spoke to students in Alumni Hall regarding the public accounting profession. Dan Potetz, a partner at the international firm and Michael Sorkin, a senior auditor, were able to share what types of students the firm is looking to hire after college and what it is like to work for one of the biggest accounting firms in the world.

Aside from getting to meet members of a Big Four firm and adding them to their network, students were also able to learn how to get on the path to a career in public accounting for when they graduate.

The meeting also proved valuable for the Business Administration professors. Professors were able to learn what they need to be teaching to better prepare their students for careers in the field.

The Business Administration Department is not new to interacting with professionals in the business world. Michael Colgan, chairman of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, visited Waynesburg University in March to talk about the effect of technology on the accounting profession and how students should plan to handle it. Colgan was brought to the University by the Business Club, who regularly hosts speakers from across the business spectrum.

After the event, Stough says that he looks forward to Waynesburg working closely with Deloitte in the future.

“I hope this is the beginning of a long relationship between Deloitte and the University,” Stough said.