Get Your Bearings
We understand the move from school to the professional world, and we don’t expect you to have all the answers on day one. We recognize this transition takes time, training and dedication – from both parties – and it’s why we’re committed to providing you with all the tools you need to be successful. We know the success and future of our firm will someday be with the young professionals we bring on board today, which is why it is so important for us to help you along the way.

When you’re hired at SDK, you’ll start in a focused area (audit, tax, accounting services), building your knowledge client-by-client, project-by-project. You will be supported in your first assignments by staff members, managers and shareholders who will guide you through the process. We’ll even throw a little variety your way, giving you opportunities to explore other areas of expertise when the work is available.

Every member at SDK is considered a vital part of client service, which is why you’ll find that client contact comes early in your career. We don’t believe in the philosophy of “paying your dues” before you earn the right to meet with clients. We pride ourselves on our communication with clients and we want you to experience it first hand. Within a few years, you will likely be in a position to lead significant projects or engagements, face new challenges and grow professionally at the same time.

The Tools You Need
From Day 1, you’ll find we are focused on your development. We start our employees with an orientation schedule that covers firm culture, processes and procedures, acclimation to the organization, and a team in which you’ll work.

SDK will help you fulfill your need to keep abreast of the latest accounting tools and practices through our affiliations with PKF NAN, MnCPA and AICPA. We support you along the way by providing continued education training and will also help you in your quest to become a CPA. In addition, each specialty area has a focused training track. Your first five years are concentrated on technical training, helping bridge your education with the reality of the professional world. Once you’ve mastered the technical aptitude, you will move into a leadership role, giving you the opportunity to build new skills in supervising and management. And throughout this entire process you’ll interact with young professionals and seasoned shareholders giving you ideas how to market yourself, network and build successful relationships for your entire career!

Your Path, Your Career, Your Success
You don’t need to know today what you want to do in ten years – that is the neat thing about SDK. Your career path at Schechter Dokken Kanter is determined by your experience, interests, and the level at which you join the firm. We’ll give you the opportunity to explore different options, and then, together with your Career Counselor, you will outline a career plan at SDK. No one path is right for everyone, so we give YOU the option to choose.

One-on-One: A Mentor Program
To get you started on the right foot, we’ll connect you with established employees in the firm – a mentor or buddy to guide you, so to speak. These team members give you alternative resources for all those questions you hate to ask (that everyone has) and also help you build strong internal relationships. Down the road, you will have the opportunity to select a formal mentor from our management team who will be a source for personal and professional coaching.

Giving You a Head Start: An Internship
Really, we prefer you don’t think of this as an internship, but rather as your first job in public accounting (it’s just a short-term assignment). During your 3-month internship, you will gain first hand knowledge of accounting in action as you complete meaningful assignments in audit, tax and accounting services. You will work with 65 professionals committed to providing you with a great experience in public accounting and also lay the groundwork for you to enter the profession full time with a better idea of what to expect.