Randy Gardner
Audit Associate
KPMG
Denver, CO USA
“Rejection does not define us. How we bounce back from rejection does.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
International baccalaureate program in high school -This helped develop my ambition in the educational and professional sphere
Attending the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder - I was nervous to attend this school as it was relatively far from home but it really pushed me outside of my comfort zone
Joining clubs / organizations at university - I've always been shy and being among leadership in different school clubs pushed me to speak publicly and hone in on my soft skills
Getting rejected from a few internships - rejection is unfortunately a part of life but fortunately, rejection does not define us. How we bounce back from rejection does.
Landing an internship with KPMG - landing my first internship with KPMG gave me my first insight into the professional world.
Traveling - In college, I tried to go everywhere. From Australia, to France, to Sri Lanka & beyond - this made me realize that life isn't just about reaching goals, it's about seeking passions.
Starting KPMG - Even starting at the bottom of the totem pole in the professional world, you can make an impact. Having confidence in my abilities can go a long way!
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Pueblo West High School
Pueblo West High School
Bachelor
Business with Emphasis in Accounting
University of Colorado Boulder
Business with Emphasis in Accounting
University of Colorado Boulder
Career
Audit Associate
I work to ensure that different companies are presenting their financial to capital users fairly and accurately.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Numbers
Problem Solving
Day to Day
As opposed to the typical stereotype of accounting, I do something different nearly every day. Essentially I use different technologies, whether it's Microsoft Office, internal technologies, or otherwise to evaluate different components of companies' financial statements (like cash, accounts receivable, equity, etc). When I have questions, I reach out or meet with the client or internally with my team to get questions answered and make sure we are reaching our goals.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Reach out to people who have experience. Connect with auditors and accounting professionals on LinkedIn and reach out. Most professionals love to mentor and want you to reach your goals, especially if you are passionate about them. So reach out and ask questions—the only thing it can do is bring you closer to your goals!
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
Business with Emphasis in Accounting
Business with Emphasis in Accounting
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Friends:
"You're too extroverted to be an accountant; you'll be stuck in a cubicle at your computer all day."
Challenges I Overcame
Mental Health Issues
