Grant Thornton LLP visits the Smith School

Representatives from Grant Thornton LLP gave business school students a taste of who they are and offered networking tips during an in depth presentation last Tuesday. 

Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, a worldwide tax, audit and advisory organization. 

The four largest international professional services networks in accounting and professional services are known as the Big Four. Included are PwC, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young, and KPMG.

"[Organizations] know the Big Four, we're number five," said Lisa Lipsky , an audit partner at the firm, referring to Grant Thornton International. 

Grant Thornton LLP operates as its own separate legal entity. 

Noteworthy clients of the firm include the Washington Capitals, the Salvation Army, the United Service Organizations (USO), and the University of Maryland Medical system. 

Currently, Grant Thornton LLP has a composite revenue of $1.1 billion, employs over 5,000 personnel and has 44 offices nationwide, according to Lipsky. 

"It's not about today. We're already focused on what we want in 2015," said Lipsky, regarding where the firm hopes to be looking forward. 

"[By 2015] we want to hit the $2 billion mark, so we want to double."

Tyler Johnson, a tax associate for the firm, then took the helm and asked students about experiences they had at networking events that they thought were good or bad examples of how to behave. 

"Getting drunk," said one student in the room, which resulted in a cacophony of laughter.

"That's definitely a no-no," said Johnson, with a laugh of his own. 

The representatives handed out a worksheet to help students craft an "elevator speech," to aid them at networking events.

The speech provides information on who you are, what you are looking for and what you can offer.

A few tips offered on networking events included looking and acting professional, punctuality, informing yourself about the companies present, being respectful and first impressions. 

Megan Brodie, a tax services representative for the firm, discussed the importance of "the handshake" when it comes to first impressions. 

"Try to avoid the limp fish handshake, because it's a real thing out there," said Brodie. 

The rest of the tips were essentially common sense, such as smiles and follow ups with clients, and the representatives handed out free T-shirts at the conclusion of the presentation.