Firm Fellow – Josiah Miller – Deloitte

Josiah Miller
Deloitte Firm Fellow
Incoming Audit Staff 1 at Deloitte

“Accounting gave me the foundation to understand the language of business and opened doors far beyond just one career path.”

The Path

Before Mendoza, he was pursuing chemistry at Notre Dame and conducting research at MD Anderson, where he initially believed science would be the right fit because of his love for analytical thinking and problem-solving. But over time, he realized research felt more procedural than strategic, and he found himself drawn toward the fast-paced, adaptable nature of business.

“I want my career to be something where I’m constantly critically thinking, adapting, and solving problems.”

That shift led him to accounting. After adding an accounting minor and interning with Deloitte, he began to see accounting as the “language of business” and recognized how valuable that foundation could be no matter where his career eventually leads. He became interested not only in understanding how businesses operate, but also in positioning himself for future leadership and strategy roles.

Mendoza stood out because of both its technical preparation and the strength of the Notre Dame network. Watching other students grow through the program made him realize the MSA could offer far more than just a pathway into public accounting—it could provide long-term flexibility, business knowledge, and relationships that would continue opening doors throughout his career.

The Fellowship Experience

As a Deloitte Fellow, he viewed the experience as an opportunity to begin building familiarity and connection with the firm before officially starting his full-time role.

“It gave me a connection to the office I’m going to work in so I don’t feel completely blind going into it.”

After interning with Deloitte in Denver and receiving a return offer, he will now join the firm’s Chicago office as an Audit Staff 1 working with technology and media clients, with long-term interests in life sciences and medical industries.

While the fellowship experience was more hands-off than he initially expected, the mentorship and personal relationships he developed still had a meaningful impact.

“My mentor relationship has been the strongest part because it made Deloitte feel more personal and approachable.”

Being aligned with a firm early also influenced how he approached the MSA program itself. Rather than viewing the degree as simply a path into public accounting, he consistently focused on how to position himself for long-term opportunities in strategy, leadership, and business operations.

Career Readiness & Growth

One of the biggest priorities for him throughout the MSA experience was maintaining long-term flexibility in his career path. The combination of accounting, data analytics, and exposure to deals advisory helped him build a broader business skill set that extended beyond traditional audit work.

“It rounded me out into having finance, data, and accounting foundations that position me much better for leadership roles in the future.”

He now sees potential pathways into roles like CFO, controller, or strategic advisor for businesses—careers that combine analytical thinking, relationship management, and high-level decision making.

The program also helped him bridge the gap between his science background and the business world. Rather than seeing the two disciplines as disconnected, he found that his scientific training strengthened the way he approached business problems.

“My science background taught me to keep pushing until I understand the full picture.”

Courses like Launching New Ventures expanded his perspective even further, helping him realize how broad and interconnected the business world truly is. The MSA provided both technical accounting knowledge and a much deeper understanding of how organizations operate, grow, and make decisions.

Community & Experience

The Notre Dame network became one of the most impactful parts of his Mendoza experience.

“This was one of the primary reasons I chose Notre Dame because the long-term effects of the ND network go much further than most people imagine.”

Since joining the program, he has actively invested in building relationships with alumni, business owners, and fellow professionals across industries. Those conversations have already led to mentorship, job opportunities, and connections he otherwise would never have encountered.

“The deeper I get involved in the network, the more doors continue to open.”

What stood out most to him was the relationship-first culture embedded throughout the Notre Dame community. Whether connecting with alumni over breakfast, meeting professionals through referrals, or building friendships within Mendoza, he found that interpersonal relationships consistently served as the foundation for opportunity and growth.

“Notre Dame is very relationship-first, and I’ve realized that’s really the framework for long-term success in business.”

The MSA experience also shifted how he thought about the value of the degree itself. Initially, he viewed the program primarily as a stepping stone into the Big Four. Over time, he realized it offered something much broader: a lifelong network, a versatile business foundation, and the ability to pivot into many different industries and leadership roles over time.

Looking Ahead

He will be joining Deloitte in Chicago as an Audit Staff 1, where he is excited to continue developing his technical accounting skills while gaining exposure to dynamic industries like technology, media, and eventually life sciences.

Long-term, he hopes to combine his accounting foundation with strategic business leadership, potentially pursuing opportunities as a CFO, controller, or advisor working closely with growing businesses.

His journey reflects a deliberate effort to build not only technical expertise but also the adaptability and relationships necessary for long-term success across industries.

Advice for Future MSA Students

For students considering an MSA, he encourages them to think carefully about the long-term opportunities the degree can unlock—not just the immediate job outcome.

“The MSA isn’t just a stepping stone into the Big Four. That’s only one small part of what it can become.”

He advises students to enter the program with intentionality and a clear understanding of how they want to leverage both the education and the network.

“Make sure you know the opportunities you want to unlock before you get here so you can hit the ground running and fully take advantage of them.”

For him, the greatest value of the MSA was not simply technical preparation—it was gaining a foundation that expanded his understanding of business, strengthened his professional relationships, and created flexibility for whatever direction his career may take next.