Montana Tech alumnus Blake Loberg builds accounting career in Billings

When Blake Loberg graduated from Montana Technological University in spring 2024, he didn’t have to look far to begin building his career.

The Billings native returned home to join Eide Bailly Advisory LLC, where he now works as a senior associate in the tax department. His path into accounting began while he was still a student, when an internship with a local accounting firm gave him an opportunity to experience the profession firsthand.

“I was able to do an internship for a couple years with a local accounting firm during tax season and found that might be something I was interested in,” Loberg said. “That led me to my current job.”

Loberg earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Technology with options in accounting and management of information systems. He said Montana Tech’s reputation, campus culture and the opportunity to compete on the golf team while remaining in his home state all factored into his decision to attend.

Once on campus, Loberg found that his professors offered more than classroom instruction. Their industry connections and knowledge of career opportunities throughout Montana helped prepare him for the transition from college to the workforce.

“Montana Tech played a great role in my early career,” Loberg said. “Not only do the professors have great knowledge in teaching, but they also all have many connections throughout the state that can help with job placement.”

For students preparing to enter the workforce, Loberg said one of the biggest lessons is to remain open to opportunities, even when they don’t have their career path completely mapped out.

“Not everyone may know what they want to do, so saying yes to different things can lead you to places you will succeed,” he said.

Loberg also recently became a certified public accountant (CPA). Loberg’s advice to students considering a career as a CPA is to make studying part of their routine and focus on one step at a time.

“The exams can seem overwhelming, especially in the beginning, but working towards one exam at a time and staying consistent in studying will lead to success,” Loberg said.