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Contact UsAccounting Profession Debunked: Public Accounting Panel
Event recap in case you missed it!
September 29, 2025
There are plenty of myths out there about what it’s really like to work in public accounting — and who better to set the record straight than local professionals working in the field every day?
After kicking off our virtual event series this fall with our “Public vs. Private Accounting” event last month, we narrowed in our focus and hosted a virtual “Public Accounting Panel” event last week. This session, led by Dr. Kristina Kesselring, brought together four local public accounting professionals as panelists, each representing different firms and roles, to share their real-world experiences, bust common misconceptions, and offer valuable career advice and insights of the future of this profession.
Below you can view a recording of the speaker portion of this event featuring all 5 of our speakers:
The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSU Denver.
Speaker Profiles
Kristina Kesselring, PhD, CPA | Assistant Chair & Assistant Professor of Accounting at MSU Denver
Kristina is a full-time professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches the new generation of accountants about the wonders of taxation. With a PhD from the University of Denver, she conducts research on taxpayer behavior. She obtained her Master of Professional Accountancy degree, emphasizing taxation, at MSU Denver and undergrad at Colorado State University, Pueblo. More than 25 years of public accounting experience in taxation (partnership/corporation/non-profit/individual/estates & trusts), accounting services (payroll/sales tax/monthly accounting services), and consulting (tax planning/estate planning) lend credence to her insight, which spans multiple industries. With a passion for educating taxpayers through the maze of guidance, she hopes to make a lasting impact by sharing her expertise.
Matt Palen, CPA | Managing Director at Deloitte & Touche LLP
Matt Palen is an Audit & Assurance Managing Director at Deloitte with 15+ years of experience leading audit and advisory engagements for his clients. In addition to his experience leading several of Deloitte’s largest global audit engagements, he also specializes in advising companies through capital markets transactions including IPOs, de-SPACs, and mergers and acquisitions. Matt is known for his extensive internal and external network which he leverages to deliver significant value to his clients. He earned both his Bachelor of Accounting and Master of Accounting at University of Kansas, and is a licensed CPA in Missouri and Colorado.
Lexi Feack, CPA | Senior Tax Manager at Kurtz Fargo, LLP
Lexi is a Senior Tax Manager at Kurtz Fargo, LLP and a CPA who partners with clients to deliver strategic solutions across all aspects of their business. She specializes in high-net-worth planning and has a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions. At the firm, she also helps lead and mentor a team of tax professionals. Lexi earned both her Master’s and Bachelor’s in Accounting from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Based in Erie, Colorado, she is a mom of three who loves entrepreneurship, networking, and enjoying time at the pool, on the golf course, or working on home projects.
Kaitlyn Vigil, CPA, CISA | Assurance Senior Manager at BDO USA, P.C.
Kaitlyn has 7 years of experience in public accounting in various roles including assurance, risk advisory services, and IS assurance. Kaitlyn has served on engagements of both public and non-public companies in industries such as oil & gas, technology, and hospitality. Kaitlyn is a licensed CPA in the state of Colorado and maintains their CISA certification. Kaitlyn earned their BS in Accounting and Computer Information Systems from the Metropolitan University of Denver.
Cole Teare, PharmD | Tax Controversy Associate at Eide Bailly, LLP
Cole is in his last semester of the MPAcc Program at MSU Denver and in the process of sitting for the CPA exam. He has been with Eide Bailly in there Tax Controversy and Procedure group since 2023. Cole is also an adjunct instructor for FRCC and helps out each year at their VITA tax site. Prior to switching careers to accounting, Cole worked in the healthcare field for 10 years as a pharmacist. He is dedicated to providing professional service while maintaining high standards of integrity, authenticity, and trust.
Top Tips Shared
- Pursue internships early – and often. Try to secure an internship as early as possible. If you can, explore two different internships to gain exposure to areas within public accounting while you’re still a student.
- Don’t overthink the tax vs. audit decision. Start in the area you feel most interested in or comfortable with. Many professionals switch paths later — what matters is getting started.
- Pay attention to what energizes you. Identify the type of work or environment that excites you. If public accounting is a good fit, start exploring which niche or area feels right for you.
- Recognize the signs of burnout. If you feel burned out, take time to reflect on the cause. Is it due to stress, lack of challenge, or something else? Understanding the source can guide your next step.
- Start the CPA process early. Begin studying and taking the CPA exam while you’re still in the academic mindset — ideally before additional life responsibilities pile on. Starting early can make a big difference.
- Embrace a lifelong learning mindset. Get comfortable not having all the answers — and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Staying curious and adaptable is key to long-term growth.
- Actively seek out growth and leadership opportunities. Public accounting offers many avenues for advancement. Look for ways to get involved — through mentorship, networking, or stepping into leadership roles.
- Know your strengths. If you’re a motivated problem-solver who thrives in team environments, public accounting can be an incredibly rewarding and dynamic career path.
This Fall ’25 term, our virtual events are all about breaking down common misconceptions about the accounting field. Each session will dive into the realities of the profession, spotlighting the wide-ranging roles and paths available to today’s accountants. It’s not just about crunching numbers—it’s about strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business impact.
RSVP for our next virtual event:
- Private Accounting Panel – Friday, Oct 10, 2025, noon – 1pm MT (virtual)
You can see a complete list of upcoming events for our Accounting Roadrunner Community here.