Accounting students selected for highly competitive KPMG Global Internship Program

This summer, two accounting students from the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business had the opportunity to participate in the KPMG Global Internship Program. Ryan Klostermann and Katie Mitchell were among just 25 interns selected from a pool of 650 applicants nationwide. Klostermann gained valuable experience in Aberdeen, Scotland, while Mitchell completed her four-week internship in Malaysia. KPMG firms operate in 143 countries and territories across the globe, offering audit, tax and advisory services. 

Learn more about their summer internships: 

Ryan Klostermann
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Major: Accounting 
Graduation date: May 2025 

What motivated you to choose this global internship opportunity with KPMG?

During summer 2023, I participated in KPMG's Global Advantage Program in Belgium and was inspired to continue developing my leadership skills and global business mindset. Furthermore, I wanted to continue learning how business is done on a global scale, gain exposure to international companies (and their subsidiaries) and learn about how accounting practices differ between countries. 

Also, I have always been interested in working abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom. I believed this opportunity would allow me to see if working abroad long-term would be something I still want to pursue in the future. I also thought this opportunity would help me grow my network within the company, as KPMG has offices across the world. 

What was your role and what kind of projects did you work on?

I was an audit intern in the Aberdeen, Scotland, office where I assisted with the audit of a private oil company. Since Aberdeen is located next to the North Sea, oil and gas have been the prominent industry for the past 50 years.

How did the work culture differ from what you’re used to in the U.S.? Share some examples.

Honestly, the work culture was very similar to what I was used to in the United States. The U.S. and U.K. business practices are very similar, since a lot of business is done between these two countries. However, the structure of the work hierarchy is a little different in the U.K. They have apprenticeships in addition to internships. Internships are primarily done during undergrad, while apprenticeships are a way for young professionals to work for a company while completing their education – like a master's degree in the U.S. 

What challenges did you face while adapting to a new environment? 

One of the most overlooked aspects of moving to a new location (especially a different country) is acclimating to the activities that impact your everyday life. This could include finding grocery stores and restaurants open after work hours. Most places closed relatively early, so if you were trying to eat after 8 or 9 p.m. during the week, you only had a few fast-food restaurants to choose from. Also, understanding how to get around the country was a new experience, especially with it being my first time traveling in Scotland. It was helpful to get travel advice from coworkers. For example, there were train strikes and flight cancellations that impacted my travel and caused me to choose alternative travel options when returning home.

What were some of the things you did when you weren’t working? Any favorite activities that you miss?

Interns participating in the program were encouraged to travel on the weekends. I was there for four weekends and had a chance to explore near and far. The first weekend I spent walking around Aberdeen and getting my bearings. We explored many new restaurants located in Aberdeen and were not disappointed. Scotland is home to some amazing seafood.

My other weekend trips consisted of visits to London, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Troon. In London, I stayed at a hotel near Chelsea's Stamford Bridge and went to Wimbledon and Covent Garden. Due to a few flight cancellations on the way home, I ended up taking a seven-hour train ride up the eastern coast of the U.K. (both England and Scotland) to return to Aberdeen and saw some amazing views of the countryside and coastline. I spent a night in St. Andrews and a night in Edinburgh on the third weekend, visiting the Old Course and town of St. Andrews and spending time walking through Edinburgh. The last weekend, I stayed in Glasgow, where I walked around near the University of Glasgow at night before commuting to The Open (golf championship) in Troon on Saturday and Sunday. 

Can you share a memorable experience or a lesson you learned during your internship? 

I really enjoyed getting to know the professionals in my office. I am grateful for the many friendships I created and plan to stay in touch with my colleagues. It is bittersweet coming home — I am excited to be home and see friends and family, but I will miss the people I met abroad. One way I really got to know my colleagues was playing football (soccer) with them on Thursday nights. It was a great way to get to know them because so many of my coworkers attended the matches throughout the three weeks we played. The last Thursday evening I was there, I joined a 10-man team that represented the KPMG office in the Aberdeen Corporate Sevens tournament, which was a local 7-v-7 soccer tournament in which many businesses from Aberdeen participated.

How did you manage communication and collaboration with colleagues from different backgrounds?

How I communicated with colleagues would depend on who I was working with and their preferred method of communication. For example, I would ask if they preferred scheduling a meeting to discuss questions I had or if they preferred me asking questions as they came up. At the end of my internship, I received feedback from one colleague who really appreciated my updates at the beginning/end of the day regarding the status of my tasks. I also made an in-depth report each week of my accomplishments and tasks based on the goals my performance manager and I set at the beginning of my internship. This report kept me apprised of my accomplishments while also keeping my manager informed on my progress. I also had weekly feedback meetings with colleagues I worked for during that week. These feedback meetings allowed me to learn about areas in which I was doing well and areas in which I had grown during my time abroad.

What skills did you develop or improve during your internship?

I enhanced my audit skills and acquired knowledge of how international audit standards are applied. I continued to grow my leadership skills and develop my global business mindset. 

How did the experience influence your career goals or academic interests?

I enjoyed the audit experience I got abroad, and I really enjoyed my experience in the oil and gas industry as well. I am amazed at how much I have learned in only a few weeks (between my eight-week internship in Kansas City and my four-week internship in Aberdeen). I look forward to what I will learn in the future, and I look forward to using what I have learned in Aberdeen when I begin my career in the Kansas City office in Fall 2025. Now that I have spent some time doing business in Europe, I would love to eventually go back, whether it is for a few weeks at a time (for an audit) or for a rotation for a year or two. I would love to reconnect with all the amazing people I met during my short time in the U.K., and I would enjoy building on the experience I have gained working in the international oil and gas industry. 

What did you learn about yourself from this experience?

Not only did I learn a lot about accounting during my experience, but I grew a lot professionally during my time in Aberdeen. Going into the experience, I told myself there are four keys to being successful in this internship, especially as I go abroad: Being open, being organized, being disciplined and having grit. I was open to new experiences, new people, new clients and new accounting standards. I was organized by ensuring I understood what was required of me and developed a plan to complete my work and meet deadlines. I was disciplined in making a report outlining my weekly accomplishments and requesting feedback from my colleagues to learn areas in which I could be a valuable contributor to my team. I used grit when I meticulously reviewed my work to ensure it was accurate and complete before submitting it.​ All four of these tips allowed me to get the most out of my internship. My rotation in the U.K. further cemented the importance of these tips in the work I do, and I will continue to use them during my last year here at Mizzou and in my professional career.

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Mizzou and the KPMG Kansas City office in Aberdeen. I am also grateful to my coworkers in the Aberdeen office who made my stay a memorable experience. The trust my coworkers showed in allowing me to help evaluate client activities was a great learning experience and something I sincerely appreciated. The patience the members of the office showed me as I worked to finish tasks while trying to understand so much new information is something that I will remember, especially when I am in a senior position and working with interns throughout my career. I will miss the people I worked with, but I hope to stay connected with them.

Katie Mitchell
Hometown: Clinton, Missouri
Major: Accounting with a graduate certificate in Accounting Data Analytics
Graduation date: May 2025

What motivated you to choose this global internship opportunity with KPMG? 

The summer before my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to study abroad through Trulaske’s London Internship Program, where I worked at the Aloft London Excel Hotel in the United Kingdom. My colleagues each came from unique backgrounds and enjoyed sharing their cultures and perspectives, as we worked together. In forging these connections in London, I discovered my passion for collaborating on global teams. When I began looking for internship opportunities in public accounting, I sought out a firm that would support my interest in gaining international experience. KPMG’s Global Internship Program aligned perfectly with my career goals, as it allowed me to gain experience in both domestic and international offices. I chose this global internship with KPMG to further expand my global network, broaden my perspectives and enhance my adaptability. 

What was your role and what kind of projects did you work on? 

I interned in KPMG Malaysia’s Financial Services Audit department. In this role, I worked with an engagement team that served as auditors for a real estate investment trust in Kuala Lumpur. During the engagement, I collaborated with my team to perform substantive testing to support the audit opinion. 

How did the work culture differ from what you’re used to in the U.S.? Share some examples. 

While in Malaysia, I noticed many similarities and differences in the work culture when compared to the United States. At KPMG Malaysia, there was a strong emphasis on a group- oriented approach, with teams working closely together to deliver high-quality client service. The office environment reflected this focus, featuring open workspaces with booths and large tables that encouraged collaboration. This team-oriented culture also created an environment that fostered meaningful relationships with colleagues. My engagement team often enjoyed long lunches together, which contributed to strong professional connections that extended beyond the workplace. These experiences allowed me to build meaningful relationships and fully integrate into my team. 

What challenges did you face while adapting to a new environment? 

In Malaysia, I faced the challenges of adjusting to cultural differences and a new work style. One of the initial challenges was understanding the local business etiquette, which differed from what I was familiar with in the U.S. When collaborating with my engagement team, I focused on adapting my communication style to facilitate effective teamwork. I made a conscious effort to ask clarifying questions and learn key phrases in the local language to better integrate into my team. This experience taught me the importance of patience and the willingness to continuously learn, which are essential for adapting to a new environment. 

What were some of the things you did when you weren’t working? Any favorite activities that you miss?

Outside of my internship, I enjoyed exploring Kuala Lumpur alongside my fellow U.S. interns. We tried many different cuisines at local restaurants and night markets. Char Kway Teow, Roti Canai and Banana Leaf are a few of my new favorite meals! On the weekends, we traveled to new cities in Malaysia, where I went jet skiing, enjoyed beautiful views and learned more about Malaysian history. Looking back on my experience, I definitely miss karaoke nights, boba fruit teas and my fellow interns the most. 

Can you share a memorable experience or a lesson you learned during your internship?
While at KPMG Malaysia, the Financial Services department held its mid-year dinner. It is a tradition for new joiners to perform at this event, so I joined a group! We came up with a Frozen-themed skit and dance, and all practiced for the week leading up to the event. Our performance involved a choreographed dance, song and even snow spray! It was a great way to meet other young professionals at KPMG and develop lasting connections across the firm. This was a memory I’ll never forget, especially since our performance was recorded! 

How did you manage communication and collaboration with colleagues from different backgrounds? 

During my time in Malaysia, I learned that effective communication and collaboration start with a genuine commitment to understanding and valuing others’ perspectives. Before traveling to Malaysia, I reflected on my own cultural background and how it shapes my views and communication style. This allowed me to approach conversations with an open mind and a willingness to adapt, ensuring that I could connect with colleagues in a way that resonated with them. By embracing these differences and being mindful of my own cultural lens, I was able to broaden my perspective and facilitate effective communication. 

What skills did you develop or improve during your internship? 

The unique nature of my international internship allowed me to experience immense growth in such a short span of time! I grew deeply in my ability to ask intentional questions and learn from the various perspectives of my colleagues. As eager as I was to learn about their backgrounds, my colleagues were excited to hear more about work, culture and customs in America too! Additionally, this experience provided me with a unique perspective on the global nature of business, enhancing my ability to collaborate effectively within an international workforce. 

How did the experience influence your career goals or academic interests? 

This experience significantly influenced my career goals by deepening my passion for working in an international environment and collaborating with global teams. Being immersed in a different culture and witnessing firsthand how business practices vary globally has inspired me to pursue opportunities that will allow me to engage with diverse perspectives on a regular basis. This internship has solidified my desire to complete a longer-term global rotation in public accounting in the future. I am excited by the prospect of building a career that integrates international exposure with public accounting, and I am eager to take on roles that will continue to challenge and expand my understanding of the global business landscape. 

What did you learn about yourself from this experience? 

Through this experience, I learned the immense value of curiosity and how it can impact personal and professional growth. In Malaysia, I was always surrounded by people with varying interests and backgrounds. By asking intentional questions and genuinely engaging with my colleagues, I developed a deeper understanding of different cultures. This experience reinforced by belief that curiosity is a key asset in any professional setting, as it fosters continuous learning and helps build meaningful connections. I learned how to embrace change and developed confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully, even in unfamiliar environments. Overall, I discovered a passion for continuous growth, both professionally and personally.