Philip Unger: making the most of it

Philip Unger has made the most of his time while at ECU and the College of Business. The Butner, North Carolina native received his BSBA in accounting in 2019 and is set to earn his Master of Science in Accounting degree in December of this year.  Philip is the vice president of Beta Alpha Psi (the honor organization for financial information students and professionals) and is the graduate school representative for the Student Government Association. He also works as a graduate assistant in the COB, assisting with research and organizing course material. Outside the COB, Philip previously worked as an intern in the ECU Office of Internal Audit for 1.5 years. He also has experience working as an audit intern for KPMG and a financial analyst intern for Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

With all of that under his belt, our first question to Philip was obvious.

To what or whom do you attribute your success?

I attribute most of my success to Dr. Linda Quick and my fellow accounting students. Dr. Quick taught one of my first accounting courses and helped push me to opportunities that I didn’t believe I was qualified for. She helped me connect with people outside the University that led me to find my internships. Also, my fellow students pushed me to never get complacent and to strive for nothing but the best.

Who at ECU (and the COB) has influenced you the most?

Dr. Amanda Peterson would be the person who has influenced me the most. I haven’t had a class of hers for two years now, but that hasn’t stopped me from going to her office at least once, if not twice a week. She has been a constant source of inspiration and advice. She helped me set career goals, decide where to start my career, and continue to branch out and network. She is the one that pushed me to take on extra opportunities even when I didn’t think it was possible.

Why was the COB and accounting department your education destination of choice?

I chose the COB because I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do, and I knew that no matter where I ended up, business would be a good foundation. As for accounting, it seemed like the natural fit…due to my nature and past experiences. After my first semester or two, I knew both were the places for me.

Why would you recommend the COB and the accounting department?

The COB, in my opinion, truly, has some world-class faculty. The accounting department especially served as a constant source of guidance and wisdom. They introduced me to a world of possibilities and taught me the skills I needed to begin my career.

What are your post-graduation plans?

I plan to obtain my CPA license, and I have accepted a post-graduation position with KPMG in their Federal Audit practice in Washington, D.C.

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