Q&A with Allison Lennebacker '26 (MS)

This interview was conducted by Kelly McGarry ’26S (MS), admissions ambassador and fellow MS in Accountancy student. 

Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

I did my undergrad at St. John Fisher University here in Rochester, and I had a double major in accounting and corporate finance with a minor in economics. I’ve done six audit internships at Insero. They are located in downtown Rochester. I’ve done four commercial busy seasons and two employee benefit plan busy seasons there. I start full-time (at Insero) the day after graduation as a staff accountant in the audit department. I plan to look back into coming to URochester to do my Professional MBA. I’m an academic at heart and love the challenge.

What made you choose Simon and the MS in Accountancy program?

Realistically, I didn’t need the credits for the CPA. I wanted a more analytical sort of learning opportunity for the accounting aspect. The MSA program here gave me the opportunity, and it was also in person, which was super important to me.

How was your transition from undergrad to Simon Business School?

Simon was more fast paced right off the bat than my undergrad program. I felt supported—everything was laid out very well, so I didn’t ever feel like there were things left up in the air. If I had questions, I could find people who had the answers or knew who did.

What clubs and extracurricular activities were you a part of at Simon?

I was president of the Simon Accounting Association and a member of Simon Women in Business. I also joined Simon Uncorked and did a lot with them; it wasn’t like a networking, business-y club but was more like stress relief that felt good to be a part of.

What was your most memorable experience at Simon?

Mine was definitely the immersion course. I got to go to Switzerland. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to do it, and I recommend it to literally everyone if they can. I feel like that really added to my experience—I got even more out of the program than I thought I was going to.

What was your favorite class at Simon?

I really loved financial reporting (ACC 434). Learning it in undergrad, I felt so overwhelmed. Coming back to it a second time, I got to dive deeper into what was going on and feel like I got more out of it.

What skills have you developed, strengthened, or improved at Simon?

A lot of the classes were a more difficult version of what I did in my undergrad. But I definitely got to enjoy, research, and get a deeper understanding of things I had previously learned. I feel like Simon allowed me to get that understanding of why things are the way they are in certain aspects rather than just trying to study, pass exams, and get through everything. Even though it was fast paced, it felt like I was building those actual walls of the house rather than just trying to shove the foundation in.

In what ways have you been able to utilize the skills you’ve gained at Simon toward your current internship at Insero?

I didn’t take a business communications class in my undergrad...it definitely was outside of my comfort zone. MGC461 (Professional Communication) helped me find better ways to communicate and hone my communication style. I also found ways to adapt based on how other people like to communicate. It brought out a new, higher level of how I can talk to my fellow staff members and my managers.

In what ways have you been able to utilize the skills you’ve gained at Simon toward studying for your CPA exams?

The entire program felt geared toward preparation. A lot of the program focuses on topics that are important for the CPA. It reminds you of little things that will be on the exam that you might have forgotten about. Because of how long undergrad is, it might have been several years since you have worked on material that will be covered in the exam. Whereas now that I’ve done these courses that are focused on the CPA exam, I feel better going into studying.

If you could give one piece of advice to incoming Simon students, what would it be?

The MSA program felt like a sprint. I did track and field in my undergrad, and some sprinters have this problem where they forget to breathe during the sprint, and it makes it feel so much harder to do it. I think remembering during the program that you need to have those moments where you take a breath; it doesn’t have to be all serious hard work. There can be moments where you have a little fun. It is such an amazing program, and I’m so glad I did it.

Rigorous Thinking.
Real Transformation.

Simon Business School develops analytical thinkers and adaptive problem-solvers who lead people, ideas, and industries into the future.

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