Alumni Profile: Amy Bacon

As a tax manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City, Amy Bacon’s job changes nearly every day. She currently works in the firm’s private company services group and is responsible for managing tax compliance, reviewing tax provisions and providing tax consulting for a variety of private businesses.

Bacon joined the PwC team right out of school as a tax associate, after graduating from Whitman in 2008 with a degree in accounting. She first worked in the industry services group, which provides tax services to public companies. Two years later, she was transferred to her current role, where she has been since. For Bacon, the private company space offers the chance to work with a diverse group of clients and industries, which makes every day different and exciting.

As an undergraduate at Whitman, Bacon was involved in a number of different accounting organizations and was quick to take advantage of opportunities for involvement. She was part of Beta Alpha Psi and regularly signed up for accounting challenges or other related extracurricular activities. These experiences allowed her to make connections with students and professors in her field, while also expanding on her accounting knowledge to prepare her for a career upon graduation.

However, Bacon didn’t always know that a career in accounting was in her future. Originally a science major, she took her first accounting class during her sophomore year at SU with Professor Petosa. It was Petosa who first encouraged Bacon to change her major and become involved with the accounting program. She did, and quickly found a passion for the field.

Since graduating, Bacon has been involved with the Whitman alumni community as a member of the Accounting Alumni Council. This group returns to Syracuse at least twice a year for Accounting Advisory Board Meetings, where young alumni provide feedback on their experiences in the workforce and offer suggestions for Whitman’s accounting program. The Council is also responsible for other initiatives, including raising money for a masters of accounting scholarship and organizing alumni events in New York City.

For current Whitman students, Bacon stresses the importance of getting involved and meeting people. “Build relationships now, both on campus and professionally,” said Bacon. “The relationships I made in college are still some of the most important relationships I have.”