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Hunter, Senior Associate at Riveron: Advize Career Interview
A Riveron Senior Associate's career journey began with a finance major transitioning to a master's in accounting, fueled by internships at KPMG and a health startup.
The professional's current role features diverse responsibilities, from IPO support and financial statement creation to client liaison, demanding adaptability and immediate availability.
Success hinges on a problem-solving mentality, strong communication, and organizational skills, surpassing technical expertise as a career progresses.
The work offers constant variety, exposure to key decision-makers, and continuous learning through tackling new industries and outdated systems.
High-achievers in this field are energetic communicators who deeply understand clients, fostering a collaborative "we" mentality.
Entry-level routes include big four auditing or direct entry into advisory consulting via undergraduate programs, and relationship-building throughout undergraduate studies is highly beneficial.
A key lesson learned is the value of proactive problem-solving and honing presentation skills.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Hunter Haas
Senior Associate
Riveron
University of Texas at Austin; 2016 and 2017
University of Texas at Austin; UCLA Anderson
Business Management & Admin
Consulting
Consulting
Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a Senior Associate at Riveron
Initially majoring in finance, Hunter switched to a five-year master's program in accounting after discovering a passion for the subject, gaining experience through internships at KPMG auditing clients like American Airlines and Sally Beauty, and later at a health and workout startup. This experience led to a full-time audit role at KPMG for three and a half years before transitioning to consulting, where the professional now "helps correct some issues" in financial reporting and accounting processes.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Associate at Riveron
Hunter's responsibilities at Riveron varied greatly depending on the project and client; for one client preparing for an IPO via SPAC, the work progressed from "auditing work" and creating financial statements to acting as an intermediary between the client and auditors, with each phase generating new investigative tasks and client interaction, making "no day really look alike".
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Associate At Riveron
A Senior Associate's day at Riveron involves a mix of independent work ("owning a process and taking something to completion") and collaborative efforts, including daily team meetings and client interactions, often requiring immediate availability for unscheduled calls, as exemplified by spontaneous requests from a "chief accounting officer". This highlights the fluid and demanding nature of the role, demanding responsiveness and autonomy.
Most Important Skills for a Senior Associate at Riveron
Hunter, a Senior Associate at Riveron, emphasizes the paramount importance of developing a "problem-solver mentality," adapting skills and resources to overcome challenges and effectively present solutions to clients. This approach, combined with strong communication and organizational skills, becomes increasingly crucial as a career progresses, eventually surpassing the initial need for deep technical expertise in accounting and software.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Associate at Riveron
Hunter's favorite aspects of their Senior Associate role at Riveron include the "constant variety" and "problem-solving" nature of the work, providing exposure to "important decision makers" and preventing boredom through the quick succession of diverse projects.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Senior Associate at Riveron
Hunter's biggest challenge as a Senior Associate at Riveron is quickly learning new industries and clients, admitting "getting a grasp of air essentially" on projects like their first one in the electrical manufacturing sector. Another key challenge is maintaining "humility," embracing all tasks with eagerness, regardless of size.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Consulting Industry As A Senior Associate
Hunter, a Senior Associate at Riveron, most enjoys the "variety of problems" and "constant iteration" inherent in consulting; the daily work brings new challenges and continuous learning opportunities, making "no one day alike".
What Type of Person Thrives in the Consulting Industry, According to a Senior Associate at Riveron
Riveron's Senior Associate, Hunter, identifies high-achievers in the industry as energetic individuals who excel at communication, both internally and externally with clients. Success hinges on a deep client understanding, achieving "a 'we' mentality" where individuals become deeply invested in the client's success to better advise and solve problems.
What a Senior Associate at Riveron Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the IT Consulting Industry
Hunter, a Senior Associate at Riveron, wished they had known the "variety and exposure" consulting offered, specifically the interaction with C-suite executives, before switching from accounting and auditing. A surprising aspect of the transition was encountering clients with "very outdated systems" and data significantly less refined than those encountered in their previous role, requiring more hands-on data cleaning and organization than anticipated.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Senior Associates
Two entry-level routes into consulting exist: beginning with "big four auditing," like Hunter's path, potentially transitioning to advisory, or directly entering advisory consulting through undergraduate recruitment programs increasingly offered by firms. More firms are now, "trying to get their roots in the undergraduate type programs."
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Associate at Riveron
Hunter's career success stems from adopting an "I'm a Problem Solver" mentality and proactively seeking opportunities to hone presentation skills. Early practice with presentations, even in "low stakes environments," prepared Hunter for the communication demands of senior leadership roles, demonstrating the value of consistent effort in developing crucial professional skills.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Associate at Riveron Succeed
Hunter, a Senior Associate at Riveron, emphasizes the importance of relationship-building during undergraduate studies, stating that "no connection is a small connection." This proactive networking approach, treating every interaction with importance, has significantly contributed to their career success, mirroring the example of a successful PE/VC professional who became "everyone's nucleus of their different networks."
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