Success story: Accounting takes Nick Lusardi to Paris
Accounting Success Stories | May 28, 2013 | Nicole Gesualdo
It’s often said that “accounting is the language of business.”
This summer, the language of business will allow Nick Lusardi (GSB ’13) to begin learning the language of France.
Nick is about to begin a unique KPMG internship: He will spend summer 2013 partly in New York, working with the real estate tax group, and partly in Paris as part of the U.S. tax team. It’s made possible by an application-only KPMG program that places interns for half their term in a local office and half abroad. Nick found out about the option after landing his KPMG internship — and he went after it.
Why the urge to work overseas? Nick was motivated by a phenomenal experience studying abroad as a Fordham student at the Instituto Internacional in Madrid, Spain.
“Studying abroad opened me to an entirely new world with new customs and ways of life that I never would have guessed existed,” Nick said. Now aware of that diversity, “I am cognizant of the importance of understanding another’s cultural background in order to create a better business relationship.”
This will be Nick’s first time in France. As anyone who has been there can attest, there will be much to explore.
“I personally chose France because, as a Spanish speaker, I love languages,” Nick explained. “I figured that being in France would allow me the opportunity to continue living the European lifestyle I already was familiar with from my travels to Spain, yet also allow me to begin learning another language.”
A new culture and a broader community will be among the takeaways, too, and those will be valuable to Nick no matter where his job is based down the road.
“Accounting is and always will be a ‘people business,'” he said.”I am hoping to increase my network of accounting professionals and develop relationships with individuals beyond the New York City office.”