Irvine Valley College's Accounting Department doesn't just teach students — it forges industry partnerships that shape destinies by assisting students in obtaining part-time and permanent employment with area employers.
Bennet Tchaikovsky, accounting department chair, emphasizes the significance of these collaborations, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping student success. "Our engagement with employers is absolutely critical to our success," he says, adding that at the heart of this initiative is the desire to equip students with a practical accounting education that not only imparts skills but also instills confidence in their abilities.
“I’m only confident that I can recommend students to these firms because they’ve had a strong education at IVC,” he adds. “For us, it's really about helping students become a certified public accountant, and there are a lot of things we do on that front.”
One of IVC’s key events was to organize Zoom meetings with accounting firms prior to Cal State Fullerton’s (“CSUF”) “Meet the Firms” event. Tchaikovsky elaborated on the pre-event Zoom meetings, “Current IVC and CSUF students were able to interact with a variety of recruiters as well as former IVC and CSUF alumni now working at the accounting firm to share their experiences and lessen the recruiting anxiety.”
IVC full-time and part-time faculty have many deep industry connections. Don Bradshaw, Lindy Tannenbaum and Bennet Tchaikovsky all have extensive industry experience and have worked to cultivate relationships by referring students to area employers. IVC’s part time faculty, Deana Bowden is an audit partner at CLA and teaches part-time at CSUF and IVC. "We are constantly trying to do outreach with different firms to see what their needs are," notes Tchaikovsky, adding that this proactive approach ensures that IVC remains attuned to “the evolving demands of the job market.”
The success stories from these partnerships abound. Time Value Software, for instance, has welcomed several IVC students, and a former student recommended to Frazer LLP has been thriving at the firm for two years, illustrating the direct impact of these collaborations.
"With employers,” says Tchaikovsky, “I think they appreciate a college instructor recommendation because we can directly attest to the students' understanding of the material.”
IVC faculty have developed a variety of resources to assist students with determining the requirements to become a CPA as well as job searches including a YouTube channel as well as a LinkedIN alumni group. The demand for accountants remains high, and IVC's strategic partnerships ensure that its students are well-prepared to meet industry needs.
The financial accessibility of IVC adds another layer to the success of these partnerships. Tchaikovsky points out the cost-effectiveness of IVC's education compared to more expensive alternatives, making quality education accessible to a diverse range of students.
Moreover, IVC's collaboration with CSUF, known as “GAP4+1”,” allows students to enter IVC for the first two years, automatically transfer to CSUF and obtain a bachelor’s degree in four years. Through GAP4+1, IVC students gain access to CSUF’s Accounting Society events, enhancing their exposure to industry professionals as well as exclusive Friday events hosted at IVC for GAP4+1 cohort members.
With IVC’s professional collaborations, each industry connection is a valuable asset on the balance sheet of success, and every student trained is an investment in a prosperous future.