Michael Pinette

Lehigh University College of Business

“Accounting student who treats numbers seriously but brings creativity, leadership, and humor everywhere else.”

Fun fact about yourself: I earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, which taught me discipline and focus early on.

Hometown: Saco, Maine

High School: Thornton Academy

Major: Accounting

Minor: Psychology

Favorite Business Course: ACCT 310: Taxes and Business Strategy with Professor Bob Duquette was my favorite course, especially its deep dive into the national debt and strategic planning. Tax planning feels like chess to me: you work within strict rules, make calculated sacrifices, and aim to maximize long-term firm value.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

1. ‘25-’26 PCAOB Scholar (1 of 685 nationally)
2. Beta Gamma Sigma
3. Beta Alpha Psi
4. Dean’s List all semesters at Lehigh
5. Teaching Assistant: ACCT 152 & ACCT 307
6. Lead role of Jack in Lehigh’s rendition of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest
7. President of Lehigh’s Delta Chi Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (Fall ’24-Spring ’25)
8. Founding Vice President of Lehigh’s chapter of The National Society of Leadership & Success
9. KPMG Campus Ambassador
10. Site Leader of “Homework Club” at local middle school through Lehigh’s Community Service Office
11. Club basketball player

Where have you interned during your college career? During the summer of 2025, I interned with KPMG in their Boston office, where I worked with commercial audit teams and gained firsthand exposure to the audit process. The experience reinforced the importance of professional skepticism and thoughtful judgment in real-world client work.

Where will you be working after graduation? Following my graduation this spring, I’ll be rejoining KPMG’s commercial audit practice in their Boston office as an audit associate.

Who is your favorite business professor? Few people love taxes as much, or teach them as well, as Professor Bob Duquette. His deep technical knowledge, humor, and genuine passion for the subject, along with his guidance as a mentor both inside and outside the classroom, have played a major role in shaping my academic path, career planning, and approach to personal finance. He brings a sense of professionalism to the classroom like no other, and has taught me many keys to success in the business world. I’m incredibly grateful for his support and to have been lucky enough to work alongside and learn from him during my time at Lehigh.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I’ve learned studying business is that doing things the right way matters much more than doing them the quick and easy way. Good decisions and solid deliverables require judgment, honesty, and a commitment to integrity, especially when there’s pressure to take shortcuts or focus on short-term results – as is often the case in today’s world. Numbers and rules provide structure, but integrity is what builds trust and credibility over time. I’ve learned that being transparent and upfront with people leads to better decisions and stronger relationships, whether in tax planning, audit work, or broader business strategy.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would tell students looking to pursue a business-related major to really focus on the development of their soft skills. Communication, integrity, and the ability to work well with others often matter just as much as technical knowledge. The soft skills will be what really sets you apart from your peers, and combining a personal touch with technical expertise is what will enable you to excel in the business world.

I would also tell aspiring business majors to leave everything better than how you found it. I have aspired to do this through my work as a teaching assistant, holding weekly review sessions for students with the intention of getting them the grades that they desire. Accounting has many tricky classes here at Lehigh, and any way that I can help others navigate them is a valuable use of my time. Supporting others and sharing what you know not only strengthens your own understanding but also builds trust and lasting relationships.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? My business school has integrated AI into its programming by encouraging students to use it as a learning and problem-solving tool rather than a shortcut. In my audit course, ACCT 320, Professor Peytcheva incorporated AI directly into the class and pushed us to challenge every word the tools produced, treating them as a starting point rather than an answer. When used properly, I’ve found that AI can act as a partner that challenges your thinking and helps you ask better questions but shouldn’t be used as an end-all-be-all. Everything still needs to be verified and understood to ensure the final deliverable is something that you can confidently stand behind and be proud of.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? One of the experiences I’m most proud of had nothing to do with business or accounting. During my senior year, I was a lead role in Lehigh’s Production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, an experience that pushed me well outside my comfort zone, having no prior background in theater. Taking part in the production required me to commit fully, learn quickly, and become comfortable being uncomfortable, especially while balancing coursework and other responsibilities.

I can’t thank our director Jessica Dean enough for casting me and giving me this incredible opportunity. She really has helped me grow as a person and take full advantage of being in this production. Even late in college, when it’s easy to rely on what you already know, the experience reminded me of the value of continuing to challenge myself. It reinforced that real growth often comes from trying something unfamiliar, staying open to feedback, and showing up consistently.

Which classmate do you most admire? I’ve met very few human beings that are of the caliber of Michael John Olivier. He is easily one of the busiest and most driven people I know, yet no matter how much he has on his plate, he is always focused on helping others and supporting those around him. I met Michael through a Lehigh Signature Experience called Leadership Fellows, and we later worked closely together in founding Lehigh’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. What stands out most to me is his resilience and perspective, shaped by everything he has experienced in life. Moving across the world from South Africa to attend college is something I can hardly imagine, and the way he has embraced that challenge while continuing to give back makes him someone I deeply respect and admire. The sky is the limit for this young man, and I look forward to watching his career unfold.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? The unsung heroes of my life are my parents, Paul & Mary Pinette. My mother’s kindness, patience, understanding, and unwavering care have been a constant in my life, and she has supported me through every high and low. She has helped me when I’ve been sick, always made sure I have had food to eat, and instilled in me a compassion for others. I quite literally would not be here without her. My father has been a huge inspiration and a steady example of what it means to be dependable, hardworking, and principled, and he played a central role in raising me to be the man I am today. I’ve always looked up to him for his character and the way he approaches life, and I hope that someday I can be even half the man he is. Together, my parents instilled strong values in me, emphasized integrity and perseverance, and encouraged me to aim high and believe in myself, and everything I’ve accomplished is rooted in what they taught me.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

Reach the Partner level at KPMG: In whatever practice I can achieve this, I’d be honored to be named partner by such an incredible, welcoming, thriving firm.

Return to University: I’d love to pass on what I am able to learn throughout my life and career to the next generation. Teaching and tutoring at Lehigh has been a great experience for me, and I thoroughly enjoy helping others succeed in their accounting courses.

What made Michael such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?

“Michael Pinette is one of the most exceptional tax students I’ve seen in my years at Lehigh—comparable to the very best young professionals I worked with during my career at EY. He combines a focused work ethic with initiative, quickly grasping the objective and executing with professionalism. In his role as my teaching assistant, Michael serves as my representative for extended office hours, leading weekly recitations that draw a substantial portion of my students. The results were significant: students who regularly attended his sessions earned, on average, an entire letter grade higher than the rest of the class—clear evidence of how he elevates the learning experience for those who seek his guidance.”

Robert E. Duquette, CPA, MBA
Teaching Full Professor of Accounting
Lehigh University

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