Donovan Hindman '26 Reflects on Industry Conference and Benefits of Accounting Degree Program Student Profile
Meet Donovan Hindman '26
- Job Title & Employer
- Teller, NexTier Bank
- Major/Program
- Accounting
- Minor
- Intelligence and National Security
- College Activities
- Treasurer of Society of Intelligence and National Intelligence (SINS)
- Hometown
- Karns City; Karns City High School
- Dream Job
- Forensic accountant
- Hobbies & Interests
- Reading, crime shows, war movies and exercise
"Point Park has helped me connect with experienced professionals and mentors who have taught me an extraordinary amount about the accounting profession."
The accounting program in Point Park University's Rowland School of Business connects students to many extracurricular and experiential learning opportunities that enhance their skills and build their professional networks.
For Donovan Hindman, that commitment to valuable experiences outside of the classroom has paid dividends for his education and career readiness.
Hindman was selected by accounting faculty to attend the Pittsburgh chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)'s Fraud and Corruption Awareness Seminar this summer, an event focused on financial crimes and how to combat them.
"Donovan has quickly grasped accounting and excelled in forensic accounting and internal controls, which relate directly to fraud and financial misrepresentations," said Professor Jayne Olshanski, MBA, CPA. "When they announced the fraud conference, Donovan, with his dual interests in accounting and criminal justice, was the perfect student attendee. He was thoroughly engaged by each speaker, and his insightful comments represented our University extremely well."
Hosted in partnership with Schneider Downs and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners at the Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh's North Shore, the seminar featured presentations by a special agent from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and leaders from K&L Gates and Schneider Downs.
"It was an absolutely amazing experience," Hindman said. "There were a lot of great speakers from different professional backgrounds. There were partners from law firms, CFOs, CEOs, accountants and more."
Hindman is a highly engaged student and balances his coursework and campus involvement with several roles. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years and is currently a staff sergeant. He is a teller at NexTier Bank and a medical courier for Independence Health System. Next summer, he will complete an audit internship with KPMG.
Learn more about Hindman's positive Point Park experience and why he recommends the accounting program in the Q&A below.
Describe your experience in the accounting program so far.
Originally I was an intelligence and national security major. What drew me in was the analysis aspect of it, diving into something and tearing it apart to figure out what’s going on, sort of like an audit.
I’ve always been interested in the analysis and mathematical aspects of finance. I was planning on doing an accounting minor, and after taking an introductory class, I fell in love with it. I realized this might be what I want to do with my life. I changed my major to accounting and declared a minor in intelligence and national security to pursue my interests.
My first accounting class was last fall, and while it was challenging with a lot of new information and topics I had never learned about before, I really enjoyed it. I took Intermediate Accounting I in the spring, which dove a lot deeper into conceptual aspects. I welcomed the challenge though.
A lot of what I’ve done in intelligence courses is analysis-based. I intend to pursue forensic accounting in my career. That’s my main goal. My analysis background in intel combined with accounting will definitely complement each other in the forensic accounting and audit world.
The faculty in the accounting program are experienced and supportive. I've learned a great deal from Professor Olshanski, who has been my advisor and accounting professor. She is extremely knowledgeable about business and the accounting field, and I appreciate that she takes the time out of her schedule to mentor me and work with me one-on-one so that I understand the coursework.
What did you enjoy most about the Fraud and Corruption Awareness Seminar?
The two guest speakers I enjoyed most were Fina Spory, an agent from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who talked about money laundering and trafficking, and William Livolsi, a convicted former fraudster. It was fascinating to learn about fraud from both perspectives. Those sessions were complementary to everything I've already learned at Point Park. Hearing the opposite side from Livolsi was something I was surprised and excited to experience.
The seminar's networking opportunities were another highlight. Professor Cheryl Clark, MBA, CPA, also attended the conference and helped introduce me to several Point Park alumni and other working professionals from banking and accounting firms.
Being able to experience a professional event of this level was exciting to me. I’ve never been to a conference like that before. It was a fantastic opportunity to grow as a professional and individual.
What did it mean to you to be selected by your professors to attend the seminar?
It meant the world to me. There have been some portions of the classes that I’ve struggled with, but knowing that my faculty recommended me to go to this makes me feel like I’ve chosen the right field, and I’m not as far behind as I think I am. It’s high praise to be selected for it.
How has Point Park helped you excel in your role at NexTier Bank?
It’s definitely helped because the company's retail tellers do more than transactions. We do deposit and loan support and some accounting functions as well. For instance, recently our processes changed to have tellers handle insufficient funds and the general ledger. We go into customers' reports and analyze the data to see how these events occur, forecasting when they’ll be back in the positive and how that might roll out. I'm learning concepts in class that I can directly apply to my role in the workplace.
Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?
The faculty by far. The level of care and attention that the faculty provide is unreal. There are so many other schools where you don’t get this much time working directly with your professors. Here, you get a lot of one-on-one time, and they’re also extremely knowledgeable about their fields of study.
Additionally, Point Park's location is a major benefit. Attending school in Downtown Pittsburgh has allowed me to immerse myself in a world of city life that I had never experienced.
Lastly, I'd recommend Point Park due to its focus on career readiness. Point Park has helped me connect with experienced professionals and mentors who have taught me an extraordinary amount about the accounting profession.