Finance/Accounting

Name Matthew
Education Associate’s degree – Heartland Community College/Bachelor’s degree in Accounting – Franklin University
Department Life Tax/Concise Job Description Finance Trainee/Years Spent at State Farm 9 years
Location Illinois
Career Path Finance Assistant - Financial Shared Services – Agency Compensation right out of high school (July 2000)/Investment Accounting – October of 2005/Life Tax - June 2009.  All positions were in Bloomington, IL.
Previous education I joined State Farm the summer after graduating high school.

My career with State Farm started in high school.  Late in my senior year one of my teachers gave me the opportunity to meet with a State Farm representative that was coming to speak to one of her business classes.  I gave him my resume and a short time later I was contacted to come and test at what was then the State Farm employment center.  Soon afterwards I was offered a job as a Finance Assistant in the Financial Shared Services – Agency Compensation department.

This opportunity opened the door to my future.  The State Farm Tuition Reimbursement program made it possible for me to complete my Accounting degree.  While working full-time, I took college classes part-time until my degree was complete.  It was a tremendous encouragement to work for a company that fully supports the pursuit of quality education.  All of my management through the years was very supportive and allowed me to adjust my work schedule as needed so that I could fit my classes in.  State Farm paid for every bit of my tuition and applicable text book expenses.  As a result, I graduated debt-free.

Upon completion of my Accounting degree I was offered a position within the Finance Trainee Mentoring Program.  Through the program, I’m spending a couple of months in the various areas that are overseen by an Assistant Vice President within Finance.  I’m currently assigned to the Life Tax department.  As part of the program I meet on a monthly basis with the other new hires in Finance (analysts, supervisors, etc.) to discuss experiences and topics with department leadership and to develop relationships with my peers.  It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused and busy during this period of transition (because I’m not given substantial assignments since I’ll soon be moving to another finance area), but the networking that comes from this opportunity is invaluable.

I love working for State Farm; they provided me with an educational opportunity that I couldn’t afford on my own.  I’m confident that my skills are valued and I know that I’m working for a solid, ethical company that offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefits.