Midway through her work experience as a student business assistant in Administration, Communications Studies Major Febe Vargas (’14) juggled two potential career paths — student affairs or accounting. Each one interested her and played to her talents, but she was at a crossroads.

Vargas is one of many student assistant employees whose career path came into sharp focus thanks to the mentorship they sought and accepted from the Finance and Business Services department.

“The mentorship I received from the Business Services department was truly priceless,” said Vargas, who chose to pursue accounting and currently serves as plan administrator for Kravitz, Inc. in Encino, California.

“Being a college student comes with challenging decisions which affect the trajectory of your future. Having the right support system that fosters openness, growth and clear guidance is absolutely vital. The Business Services department encompasses these aspects, preparing students for life beyond college.”

Vargas joined the dozens of employees from 24 different USU departments who have learned the principles of budget management from members of the Business Services team.

“We are here to provide support to USU departments with their financial documents and to help them manage their financial resources effectively,” said Joe Illuminate, Associate Director of Finance and Business Services. “[We teach them] to be in compliance with state and federal regulations and to keep financial documents accurate.”

With a team of eight staff and three student employees, the department has amassed a record of exemplary performance. This was the 12th consecutive year that the corporation has received unmodified audit opinions, which is the best opinion that an audit firm can bestow on its client, Illuminate said.

Under Accounts Receivable Technician Tamika Braud’s watchful eye, the balance for the accounts receivable operating budget was below $33,000 as of June 30, 2015, according to Illuminate. As a standard, the balance should never exceed $50,000. In addition, there has been a zero balance for dishonored checks for six years and no write-offs for the past four years, he said.

At the core of the department’s performance success is its role as a resource and educator. The department has collaborated with CSUN business seniors taking an audit course by having students create a flowchart of its business processes. Master of Science in Accounting candidates provided the USU with a financial ratio analysis based on financial data.

Three Board of Directors subcommittees pertain to finance — the Finance Committee, Audit Committee and Retirement Committee. Most are primarily comprised of CSUN students and Illuminate serves as the executive secretary of each to provide orientation training, promote student participation during meetings, encourage students to select one goal and accomplish it, present recommendations to the board and make the most of the experience.

The same devotion is found when it comes to mentoring student assistants who work in the USU’s Business Services office.

“We train students on how to prepare monthly financial statements,” said Accounting Manager Jonathan Navarro. “Our student assistants offer purchasing support to USU staff and students.”

Arianna Mesbahi (’14 double major in Marketing and Business Law with a minor in Finance) who worked as student assistant in the Business Services department, now serves as a program coordinator for the nonprofit organization Girls Inc. 

“In my three years working with Business Services, I was not only given the tools that would allow me to become successful, but I was also given an environment that would give me ample opportunities to grow,” Mesbahi said. “Each employee in the department would be available [for me] to seek any professional advice from, genuinely wanting to see each of their students succeed.”

Mesbahi credits every member of the team for helping her realize her full potential.

“I am extremely grateful for the experience. It’s one of the greatest places I’ve ever been employed.,” she said.

Annually, the business team hosts a budget retreat where upper management, managers, coordinators and supervisors who oversee budgets join their student assistants for a half day of training. This training gives an overview of the U.S. economy and touches on the state economy before narrowing in on the corporate budget. Staff members have described this training helping their understanding of the economies and their budgets.

Navarro said the business team stays abreast of trends by attending professional development conferences and seminars that include the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) Annual Conference, the Annual Auxiliary Organization Association (AOA) Conference and the American Payroll Association (APA) Conference.

Former students of the department have gone on to intern for National Geographic, serve as the Director of Admissions at the California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM), the Disbursement Supervisor at CSUN’s University Cash Services and as the USU Cashier. One of them has been accepted into a Public Administration doctoral program at the University of La Verne, while current student assistant Taylor Cubas, seeks to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

“Jonathan Navarro was my supervisor and I worked with him directly every day,” said Penny Li, Director of Admissions at CIAM in El Monte. “He was willing to share his professional knowledge and expertise in the field with me and answered any questions that I had, anytime. He also demonstrated a positive attitude in the office and acted as a positive role model, meaning that people liked to be with him and felt secure to ask questions.”

Li gives credit for the effectiveness of the team to Associate Director Illuminate.

“Joe is an expert in Finance and Accounting, which made our department operate productively and successfully,” said Li. “He always demonstrated specific and necessary behaviors and actions to guide the team toward success. He exhibited his enthusiasm in leading the team, and also was committed himself to helping and empowering us to develop our own strengths.”