Firm Fellow – Hammed Fofana – KPMG

Hammed Fofana
KPMG Firm Fellow
Incoming Structured Finance Associate at KPMG

“Notre Dame is a place where excellence is a shared pursuit, not a solitary one.”

The Path

Coming from La Salle University in Philadelphia, he always viewed accounting as far more than a technical discipline. To him, accounting represented the “language of business” — a way to understand how organizations function strategically, financially, and operationally across every level of decision-making. He was drawn to the idea that accounting provides visibility into both the high-level strategy of a company and the details of its daily execution.

His experience at La Salle played a major role in shaping that perspective. Surrounded by passionate faculty and a strong values-based learning environment, he developed a deep appreciation for business education and the opportunities accounting could create long-term. He also knew he wanted to continue his education in a community that aligned closely with his Catholic background and commitment to service-oriented leadership.

That made Notre Dame a natural next step. One moment that solidified his decision was seeing Professor Seida supporting students at a basketball game, which reflected the close-knit environment he was looking for in graduate school. “I knew I wasn’t just gaining a top-tier education — I was joining a lifelong support system that prioritizes helping people succeed together.”

The Fellowship Experience

As a KPMG Fellow, he benefited from a long-term relationship with the firm that began through internships and continued throughout the MSA experience. Having multiple touchpoints with KPMG before officially starting full-time gave him a strong sense of familiarity with the firm’s culture, expectations, and professional environment.

The fellowship experience helped him feel more prepared and confident entering his career. Through mentorship, CPA support, and ongoing opportunities to engage with professionals at the firm, he gained both technical confidence and reassurance that KPMG was invested in his long-term development. “This continued investment has given me a unique head start and allowed me to deeply understand the culture at KPMG.”

He also appreciated that the relationship with the firm extended beyond recruiting. KPMG’s support reinforced his confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully from the beginning of his career. “The opportunities the firm has given me have made me feel deeply committed to it, and I can’t wait to turn that growth into real value for my team.”

Career Readiness & Growth

Mendoza helped prepare him for advisory work by pushing him beyond his comfort zone academically, professionally, and personally. Through rigorous coursework and collaboration with classmates who already had full-time industry experience, he gained valuable insight into how corporations operate, communicate, and make strategic decisions in practice.

The courses offered had a particularly strong impact on his development, public speaking, and professional presentation skills. Other coursework deepened his understanding of financial strategy and deal structures. Learning alongside MBA students also exposed him to a variety of leadership styles and ways of thinking that broadened his perspective on business.

“Mendoza taught me that growth isn’t just mastering technical subjects — it’s learning how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and lean on the expertise of people around you.”

The experience also reinforced his long-term interest in finance and structured advisory work. He sees structured finance as an opportunity to develop highly specialized expertise while helping clients solve complex financial challenges in meaningful ways.

Community & Experience

The transition from La Salle to Notre Dame felt natural because both institutions emphasized service, relationships, and values-driven leadership. He quickly found that Mendoza’s collaborative environment reflected the “no one left behind” mentality that defines the broader Notre Dame community. Rather than feeling highly competitive, the program fostered a culture where students genuinely wanted to support each other’s growth and success.

Outside the classroom, he found that the Notre Dame experience challenged him to approach learning differently and remain open to new perspectives. From classroom collaboration and faculty mentorship to football weekends and late-night study sessions, he found that the community shaped him not only professionally but personally as well.

He also realized that growth at Mendoza came from more than just technical coursework. The relationships, conversations, and shared experiences throughout the program pushed him to become more disciplined, intentional, and confident in how he approached both academics and his career.

Looking Ahead

He will be joining KPMG as a Structured Finance Associate within Advisory, where he is excited to continue building technical expertise while working on complex financial solutions for clients. The role aligns closely with his long-term interests in debt capital markets, financial strategy, and eventually broader opportunities within hedge funds and investment-focused environments.

Looking ahead, he hopes to combine the technical accounting and advisory foundation gained through Mendoza and KPMG with larger strategic finance opportunities throughout his career.

He views this next step not simply as a first job, but as the beginning of a long-term professional journey focused on continuous learning, leadership, and creating value for clients and organizations.

Advice for Future MSA Students

For students considering an MSA, he emphasizes the importance of coming into the program with an open mindset.

“Come in as a sponge and be willing to leave your biases at the door.”

He explains that while the program is academically and professionally demanding, the growth extends far beyond technical accounting or CPA preparation.

This experience pushes students to think differently, work more intentionally, and engage more deeply with both coursework and career development.

Ultimately, he encourages students to fully invest in the experience—academically, socially, and professionally. By taking advantage of the people, opportunities, and Notre Dame network, students can leave the program not only more technically prepared but also more confident, adaptable, and ready for long-term success.