UH Hilo business major Nikki Jicha interns at Hilo accounting firm
Business major Nikki Jicha says she chose to intern at the Hilo accounting firm of Taketa, Iwata, Hara & Associates because the company is deeply rooted in community engagement.
By Nāpua Iolana Bicoy/UH Hilo Stories.
Nikki Jicha, a business student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, says her choice to accept an internship at the Hilo accounting firm Taketa, Iwata, Hara & Associates was based on its constant commitment to developing young accountants on Hawaiʻi Island.
“Choosing to intern at TIH was a decision influenced by more than just professional aspirations,” says Jicha. “It was inspired by a desire to be part of a company deeply rooted in community engagement.”
On campus, Jicha serves as chancellor of the Lambda Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. She also was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
Jicha has lived in Hawaiʻi her entire life. She completed her high school education at the age of 14 and will graduate from UH Hilo’s College of Business and Economics with two bachelor of business administration degrees: a BBA in accounting, and a BBA in general business administration with a concentration in management. She’s also earning a certificate in business analytics.
“I decided to get my double major and certificate as the field of accounting is rapidly changing to embrace technological advancements,” she explains. “I dream of one day getting my certified public accountant license and working in auditing after I get my master’s in accounting.”
Jon Arbles, a partner at TIH whose area of specialization is in audit and advisory services for not-for-profit organizations, has been an important mentor to Jicha. Arbles gives presentations to accounting classes at UH Hilo where he encourages students to take the CPA exam. He has helped clear up any confusion Jicha may have about the process of answering questions in the exam. Arbles also attended a mock interview event for the Lambda Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi where he helped prepare the aspiring young professionals for interviews.
Jicha started interning on-site at the Hilo firm at the beginning of this semester. UH Hilo Associate Professor of Accounting Andrey Simonov and Instructor of Accounting Deborah Hughes encouraged her to intern at the accounting firm. She is currently working with Arbles and the auditing team on engagement.
“However, TIH plans on delegating portions of my internship amongst the departments so that I can experience the different aspects of a full-service CPA firm, such as tax, auditing, bookkeeping, and administrative tasks,” says Jicha. “All of these interrelated departments are vital to the overall functioning of TIH.”
Jicha notes that when she first started, she had little idea what auditing entailed.
“I had not even taken a single auditing course yet. I am doing my first auditing internship and class simultaneously, which I have found to be incredibly rewarding to see the direct practical application of the concepts I am learning in the classroom.”
However, she says, it is not without its challenges. “I am often faced with new assignments or concepts that I have never seen before.”
Fortunately, she says, everyone at the firm is extremely helpful, providing detailed responses, training, and explanations to give her the tools she needs to succeed.
“It is one of the things I appreciate the most about interning at TIH, even the founders of the firm, such as Gregg Taketa and Brian Iwata, take the time to get to know you and ask about your day. Brian Iwata’s perception of the firm as a community resource, alongside his desire for TIH to endure as a local service provider for future generations, permeates throughout the company’s culture.”
Although she hasn’t completed her internship yet, Jicha believes that it will be crucial to her development as a young professional. “It has been really beneficial for me in developing my skills and understanding what career path I want to pursue in the future,” she says.
“Interning provides a practical platform for exploring your career trajectory, enabling you to identify your likes and dislikes in the professional realm,” she adds. “For that reason, I would recommend an internship to every student, even if you are not sure about your career direction. It’s invaluable for making those important decisions about your future. I’m truly thankful for outstanding professors like Dr. Simonov, who actively promote internships for students and provide internship courses at the university.”
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Story by Nāpua Iolana Bicoy, a Hawaiian studies major at UH Hilo.
