All About the Numbers: Samantha Iaccarino ’27 Sets Her Sights on Accounting
New Rochelle, N.Y. A dedicated accounting student with a clear vision for the future, Samantha Iaccarino ’27 is paving her path to success at Iona University.
Drawn by the University’s close-knit community, proximity to both home and New York City, and the strong reputation of the LaPenta School of Business, Iaccarino knew Iona was the right fit from the start.
“At Iona, I am certain I will be taught the best to prepare me for a career in accounting along with the knowledge I need to successfully pass the CPA exam,” she shared.
Iaccarino’s passion for accounting stems from her strong organizational skills and her love for working with numbers in a structured and meaningful way.
Iaccarino recently earned an internship as an Embark Scholar Intern for KPMG, a global professional services firm that provides audit, tax and advisory services to a wide range of clients.
“I am interested in the problem-solving aspect of analyzing financial data to help businesses make informed decisions,” said the Yonkers, N.Y. native. “Accounting opens up diverse career opportunities across industries and even globally, which makes it an exciting and rewarding path for me.”
In addition to the personalized academic support, Iona’s Career Development Center has played a crucial role in preparing Iaccarino for the professional world. “The time I spent working with them has been a key factor in getting me to where I am today,” she noted.
One distinct advantage she gained from her time at Iona is the strong connection she has built with her professors.
“Having professors who know me well has also been a valuable resource for recommendations, whether for internships, scholarships, or future career opportunities. Their mentorship has given me confidence and a strong foundation as I prepare for my career.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.