Corinne Guelli

The accounting department cares so much about the students. The curriculum is difficult but there are professors that want you to succeed and will help you along the way.

Accounting & Information Management - Student

Corinne Guelli came to the University of Tennessee because of its wide variety of degree programs, but she says that the Haslam College of Business, and particularly the accounting program, soon captured her attention.

Guelli was undecided on her major until she received an invitation to the Accounting 200 Stars Dinner—a program for students who standout in entry-level accounting courses. This event introduces 200 students to the benefits of accounting as a career and to the business world.

The dinner and her experience with one faculty member in particular have led her to pursue both an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting.

“Ellen Anderson, my A200 teacher, influenced me greatly in my decision to be an accounting major,” says Guelli. “I admired her knowledge. Admittedly, I have always told people that I wanted to be Ellen Anderson one day.”

Guelli had similarly valuable experiences with other accounting faculty members. She emphasizes that while the program is rigorous, the faculty put in a lot of effort to ensure student success and help launch their careers.

“The accounting department cares so much about the students. The curriculum is difficult but there are professors that want you to succeed and will help you along the way,” Guelli says. “My professors were a huge factor in my ability to get a job. They make it a priority to help their students get sought-after internships during their college years so that you are set up for success.”

Guelli credits the culture at the Haslam College of Business for fostering this environment of support and camaraderie. Not only did she find being part of a smaller unit make UT feel more like home, but Haslam uniquely valued, and made her value, relationships. 

“Because of the culture that is evident here, I made friends in every business major in undergrad and will cherish those connections especially down the road,” Guelli says. “Even our professors’ stress developing and maintaining strong relationships because those relationships could one day be your clients or coworkers; they definitely walk the walk.”

Guelli also found that support in Haslam’s greater network of alumni and friends. She explains the impact that scholarships and financial aid have had on her is invaluable.

“I was able to graduate debt-free; our alumni helped to make that happen for me,” Guelli says. “I will never stop giving back to UT, because of what donors did for me. I have already donated and plan to increase my donation when I begin my full-time job. UT and Haslam have given me so much, and I will give back all I can so students can have a great experience like I did.”

Guelli will begin working at Dixon Hughes Goodman in Atlanta after obtaining her Master of Accountancy. She will be working in the tax department, with hopes to do pass-through and corporation tax returns as well as tax planning for clients.