Success story: Nikki de Castro interns at the PCAOB

Success Stories | Mar 06, 2014 | Claire Curry

Her hands-on involvement in investigating allegations against Big 4, mid-sized and small accounting firms is what Nikki de Castro (GSB ’14) likes most about her internship with the Enforcement and Investigations Division of the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board).

“The team actually asks for my input and uses the evidence and research that I consolidate to help them with their investigation,” said de Castro, a public accounting major. “It’s definitely rare for students to have an opportunity like this.”

During the five-month internship, which came about through her response to a post on CareerLinks, she conducts and consolidates qualitative and quantitative research on financial statements and reviews emails between firms and clients to collect evidence to build cases against them.

de Castro said she works with a team of CPAs and attorneys, each with at least 15 years of experience behind them. “Every day, I learn something new,” she said, noting that in addition to her team members, she enjoyed a recent unexpected power-lunch with a PCAOB board member.

This opportunity precedes a one-year tax internship de Castro lined up with McGladrey after participating in a three-day leadership program with the firm. That starts in June, and she hopes to concurrently work toward an MS in professional accounting and eventually, obtain CPA licensure. McGladrey offers qualifying interns entry-level positions, so it’s possible the year could turn into a longer-term career move.

The PCAOB internship adds to a resume of several de Castro has completed at Fordham, including positions at The Hartford, UBS and Merrill Lynch.