This Huntsville accounting firm has found the secret to great hires

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With 400 people moving to Huntsville each month, there’s a lot of talent coming to the Rocket City. But that doesn’t always mean it’s always easy to find the right candidates, especially with the unemployment rate only being 2.7%.

We got to sit down with Ashley Wentz, a local Director of Recruiting, to find out the secret to how her accounting firm is finding top talent. Read on for all the details.

From intern to company partner–setting women up for success

Meet Ashley, Director of Recruiting at Anglin

Ashley Wentz has mastered the hiring game. After graduating from The University of North Alabama (UNA) in 2010, she gained over a decade of recruiting experience in higher education. Recently, she started a new role, transferring those skills to the accounting world at Anglin Reichmann Armstrong.

At Anglin, Ashley manages it all—recruitment strategy, employee onboarding, mentorship programs and staff development. Plus, she loves recruiting college students for Anglin’s internship program and helping them transition into full-time roles upon graduation.

With Ashley’s recruiting expertise, we wanted to find out how Anglin hired such talented accountants—especially in a time when hiring has been challenging.

Skills needed to thrive in accounting in Huntsville

According to Ashley, here are a few qualities they look for in accountants:

• Eagerness to learn
• Effective communication skills
• Top performance in accounting programs
• Leadership capabilities
• Strong drive + motivation

Plus, accounting is more collaborative than people think. At Anglin, many of their accountants are client-facing and need top-notch people skills to be successful.

“Given our collaborative work environment, it’s imperative that candidates enjoy teamwork and can effectively collaborate with others.”

Ashely Wentz, Director of Recruiting, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong

In the current hiring climate, it can be hard to find a candidate who checks all of these boxes. Luckily, Ashley and her team have found a solution right here at the University of North Alabama.

Want to gain the skills you need to thrive in the workforce? Check out UNA’s MAcc program today.

Impressive UNA MAcc graduates

As a UNA graduate herself, Ashley knows firsthand the advantages of hiring graduates from the University of North Alabama.

According to Ashley, because of the small class sizes and networking opportunities, UNA graduates have the people skills they need to thrive at a client-oriented company like Anglin.

“Every one of our UNA graduates has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, held key leadership roles and exhibited professionalism and approachability, rendering them equipped for an accounting position within our company.”

Ashely Wentz, Director of Recruiting, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong

On staff, they have 4 UNA graduates: one Master of Accountancy (MAcc) alum and three others who graduated with their Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting before the MAcc program launched.

UNA’s unique networking events provide great opportunities for local companies to connect with these graduates. UNA graduate LeAnne Goode, who’s now an Anglin partner, landed her position through one of these events.

“The ASCPA Interview day that UNA took accounting students to is where I met Wendy Tucker and interviewed for my position. And now, ten years into my career at Anglin, I’ve worked all the way from an intern to a partner.”

LeAnne Goode, Partner, Anglin Reichmann Armonstrong

Prepared for the workforce

“When I was finishing up my master’s at UNA, I was pregnant and working full-time as an accountant, and the university was willing to help me in any way they could. They always wanted to make sure their students were prepared to excel.”

LeAnne Goode, Partner, Anglin Reichmann Armonstrong

“The UNA professors did a great job making the curriculum applicable to your future job. It’s rewarding being able to apply what I learned to my position now.”

Lauren Sanders, Audit & Assurance Senior Accountant, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong 

UNA’s MAcc at a glance

Want to set yourself up for success like LeAnne and Lauren? Check out UNA’s MAcc program by the numbers:

• Cost: $495 per credit hour + fees
• Time to complete:
  • Full time: 12-18 months
  • Part time: 24-30 months
• Format: 100% online or hybrid
• AACSB accredited, making UNA in the top 5% of business schools worldwide.
• No GMAT or accounting background required.
• Summer Sessions begin on June 4th—Apply now.

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