Grant Thornton recognized in Abode’s inaugural Early-Career Engagement Awards

CHICAGO — Grant Thornton, one of America's largest brands of professionals providing end-to-end audit, assurance, tax and advisory services, has been recognized with the Overall Excellence Award in Abode's inaugural 2026 Early-Career Engagement Awards, recognizing the firm's outstanding approach to engaging, developing and supporting early-career talent. The honor recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence across the full early-talent journey — from offer acceptance through onboarding and beyond.

Presented by Abode, an AI-powered talent experience platform focused on the early-career lifecycle, the awards recognize organizations that go above and beyond to help students and new hires feel connected, supported and prepared before they begin their careers. Programs selected for the Overall Excellence Award demonstrated exceptional performance across five categories: keep-warm strategies, community building, preventing reneges, mentorship and buddy programs, and internship-to-full-time conversion.

"Creating an exceptional employee experience begins long before a new hire's first day," said Jeanna Shapiro, Grant Thornton’s chief people and culture officer. "This recognition reflects the dedication of our University Recruiting team and the many professionals across our firm who invest in helping early-career talent build meaningful connections, develop critical skills and see a future for themselves at Grant Thornton. We are honored to be recognized for the intentional work we do to support the next generation of leaders."

Grant Thornton's nationally coordinated early-career engagement strategy helps students build meaningful connections with the firm before their first day through personalized communications, professional development opportunities, community-building experiences and mentorship. Key elements of the program include a research-backed engagement strategy for future hires, a centralized digital community for interns, a multi-layered mentorship model and an immersive internship experience that mirrors the responsibilities and development opportunities of full-time associates.

Through hands-on client work, structured feedback, leadership interactions, networking events and Business Resource Group programming, interns and early-career professionals gain the support, connections and experience needed to thrive at Grant Thornton.

"This award is especially meaningful because it recognizes the entire candidate and intern experience," said Missy Heusinger, Grant Thornton’s director of university recruiting. "We're intentional about creating opportunities for students and new hires to build relationships, gain confidence and feel part of our culture from the moment they accept an offer. We're proud of the experiences we've built and grateful to everyone across the firm who helps make them possible." 

About the Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform

The Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform is a group of firms within the Grant Thornton International Limited network that connects priority markets and operates with aligned standards, technology and delivery expectations. Firms remain locally led and legally separate. The Grant Thornton International Limited network provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.

The platform is currently home to almost 20 aligned firms stretching from the Americas across Europe and the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region. These firms bring together almost 25,000 professionals to deliver cross-border solutions powered by advanced technologies, a shared commitment to quality and a growing reputation as the industry’s employer-of-choice. The platform firms operate as separate legal entities. 

About Grant Thornton Advisors LLC

Grant Thornton Advisors LLC provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. It is one of two specialized entities known collectively as Grant Thornton in the US, alongside Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services.

Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Grant Thornton LLP is a CPA firm, while Grant Thornton Advisors LLC is not.

“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.