From Classroom to Career: Kate’s Path to a Future with JCCS
Kate Ferrell, a Montana State University business student studying accounting, has always been drawn to math and working with numbers.
“Accounting drew me in because the work offers a structure that aligns with how my brain works. At first, I planned to study marketing, but accounting was a better fit,” she says.
And Bozeman’s outdoor opportunities—hiking, skiing, and camping—were the main drivers behind her move from Minnesota.
“As a kid, my family traveled to Montana to ski, and I knew I wanted to be in the mountains.”
Kate completed her first internship with JCCS Certified Public Accountants in the spring of 2025. With seven offices across the state, JCCS is the largest locally owned public accounting firm in Montana. Kate spent three months at the firm’s Bozeman location during busy season, or crunch time for accountants.
“I was impressed with the hands-on work I was given at JCCS and felt like I was part of the process. At first, I worked on practice tax returns and got familiar with tax software. It wasn’t long before I was preparing real returns for clients. My colleagues were welcoming and willing to answer questions, which helped me feel comfortable and part of the team.”
The supportive learning environment is partly why Kate said yes to a job offer from JCCS following her internship.
“I’m excited to stay in Montana where the commutes are short and the list of outdoor recreation opportunities is long.”
Kate will intern again in the spring of 2026 at JCCS before graduating and starting her new full-time role with the firm.
