Upon graduating last year, accounting major Rachel Hurst got the chance of a lifetime – to serve as an intern with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in Norwalk, Conn. She was nominated by the SDSU School of Accountancy for the honor and works as a post-graduate technical assistant.

“Rachel was one of our top students and it’s an honor to have her represent us at the FASB in their highly selective internship program,” says Andy Barnett, director of the School of Accountancy.

The FASB is the designated organization in the private sector for establishing standards of financial accounting and reporting. Those standards govern the preparation of financial reports and are officially recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Hurst answers technical inquiries and conducts research on issues related to fair value measurement, mining industry (EITF), cash balance pension plans (FAS 87 interpretation, EITF), AcSEC, and short-term international convergence.

Although her term will expire next summer, Hurst already has a position lined up with the accounting policy group at an investment bank in New York City.