Mueller CPA's Global Employee Exchange Program provides young talent with opportunities
Who would have thought the genesis for Mueller CPA's Global Employee Exchange Program would begin with a camel ride in the desert near Dubai, United Arab Emirates?
But that's exactly what happened in 2011 when Mueller Managing Partner David J. Nissen and partners from Munich-based Crowe Kleeberg met at an international accounting conference and got acquainted during the camel excursion. Through both firms' affiliation with independent CPA firm association CPAmerica International, the employee exchange program became a reality in 2013.
While global employee exchange programs are common among large, multinational accounting firms, smaller independent firms like Mueller and Crowe Kleeberg have created valuable and rewarding experiences for young accounting professionals that extends well beyond the realm of client tax returns and audits.
For Regina Turner, a 30-year-old tax consultant with Crowe Kleeberg who lives in a small village outside of Munich, the chance to travel and work in the United States was a unique opportunity to build on her professional experience in Germany and soak up all the cultural and entertainment attractions that Chicago has to offer.
"At first the exchange program was a bit overwhelming with the speed at which business is conducted here, but the management and employees at Mueller were so welcoming and helped me adjust to the daily pace and demands of client work," Turner said. "It was certainly a different environment than what I was used to in Munich."
Turner's three-month exchange program with Mueller this summer followed colleague Isabella Danisch's exchange program experience with Mueller in 2013 and Mueller employee Alex Krog's exchange program with Crowe Kleeberg in 2014. "Prior to my applying for the exchange program it was extremely beneficial to learn of Isabella and Alex's experiences and what to expect in working with an American firm," Turner recalled. "It certainly made the transition easier and the experience has been everything I hoped it would be."
During her exchange program at Mueller, Turner has worked in the firm's tax department, working with clients engaged in manufacturing, health care, nonprofit organizations in Chicago and Elgin, and professional services firms. Turner says she benefitted greatly from the firm's approach in having her spend one month each in the audit, accounting services and tax departments. "It really helped me understand how each practice area contributes to a client's full financial picture, particularly with the firm's weekly meetings to review client issues and the fantastic collaborative work environment," she said.
Chicago Attractions, Teaching German and U.S. National Parks
Turner raved about her experiences in exploring Chicago attractions such as Millennium Park, the Shedd Aquarium, Architecture Boat Tour, the lakefront beaches, dinners with her Mueller colleagues or even doing Pilates. "Chicago truly is a world-class city and has so much to offer. I wish I would have had more time to enjoy it all, but it's been a wonderful summer."
Despite the demands on her time, Turner and Mueller Managing Partner Nissen have forged a lasting bond that includes weekly German lessons. "Dave has been a great mentor to me and it's been fun to watch him learn the German language," she said.
Turner added that, following her Sept. 4 conclusion of her exchange program, she and her husband will travel to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon in Utah and experience a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. "It will be a fitting conclusion to an amazing summer for me. I can't thank the Mueller people and also my husband enough for all their support and friendship and helping me grow as a professional and as a person."
About CPAmerica International
CPAmerica International is an accounting association of independent CPA firms that provided practice management support, continuing education, marketing, online services and other programs for the professional improvement of more than 2,500 CPAs in 76 firms throughout the United States. For more information on the association, visit www.cpaamerica.org.
Mueller & Co., LLP is a certified public accounting and management consulting firm located in the Chicago metropolitan area. Since 1968, the firm has provided accounting, tax, assurance, and management consulting services to privately held and publicly traded companies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations within a wide variety of industries. Visit www.muellercpa.com.