Brandon Ruetsch, '15

Brandon Ruetsch grew up in Moorestown, N.J.,10 miles northeast of Philadelphia, Pa., where he currently works as an associate auditor with EY. “I fell in love with University of Richmond on my first visit as I drove under the archway between the Modlin Center and Booker Hall,” he recalls. Not only did the beauty of the campus influence his decision to choose Richmond, but the combination of the Robins School of Business with the College of Arts & Sciences that would provide a “holistic” approach to learning influenced him as well. He recognized that the Robins School is successful in placing graduates on the career paths they are seeking. 

Ruetsch has many great memories from his first day at the Robins School as a “Roadmap to Success” student, to his last day at the Senior Wine and Cheese event before graduation. He shared an example of when he realized his time at Richmond had come full circle. “A large tour group passed by as I worked on the Lessing Trading Floor, and I recall several members expressing how they hoped to be in my position one day. At that moment, I realized how fortunate I was to have this opportunity to be successful.”

During his undergraduate career, Ruetsch held several leadership positions in the business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, which he credits for developing his leadership and decision-making skills. He also believes that courses such as Negotiations & Bargaining, Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior prepared him for the his current role in the business world. “My peers and seniors at work have made mention of my broad business background,” he explains. His experiences and challenges at Richmond taught him to be a professional in both thought and action.

Within months of graduating, Ruetsch passed all four sections of the CPA exam and assisted a large team with filing a 10-K of a Fortune 16 company. He believes the Robins School provided him with the business and accounting knowledge necessary to pass the CPA exam without the need for a master’s degree.

However when he crossed the stage to receive his diploma, he did not see this as the end of his learning experience. His desire to meet and exceed the expectations of a first-year associate motivated him to hit the ground running. “I finished the onboarding process right in the thick of busy season for my Fortune 16 client. I have become more efficient in multi-tasking and time management, as these are key components of success,” Ruetsch states.

As for his future, Ruetsch hopes to eventually lead a team of his own. He enjoys the analytical approach to helping companies improve financial processes and financial reporting. He is also open to the possibility of becoming a tax accountant, as this would utilize a similar skillset to his current role. Outside of his career, he plans to take a well-deserved vacation to Sun Valley, Idaho, and the Cayman Islands this spring and summer.

We’re fortunate that Ruetsch was about to find time during his first tax season for an interview with his alma mater! This speaks volumes for his love of the University of Richmond.