Duane Brandon joined the Auburn faculty in 2003 after completing his doctorate at Virginia Tech. Currently, he serves as Taylor Professor and acting associate director of research and faculty affairs for the Harbert College of Business.
301 Lowder Hall 405 W Magnolia Avenue Auburn, Alabama 36849 334.844.5340 harbert.auburn.edu
DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,Reaching the end of another academic year always brings with it the opportunity to reflect. This year, the School of Accountancy had much to celebrate, but also reason to mourn. Our focus this year of mentorship and paying it forward took on new meaning. When I look back on my almost 20 years in the School of Accountancy, what has consistently impressed me the most is the passion the Auburn Family has for giving back.
In choosing our focus of the SOA Connection for this year, paying it forward seemed perfect. The School would not be nearly what it has become if you had not been so generous with your time, resources, and guidance to our faculty, staff, and students. One of the benefits of having been at Auburn for so long is watching many of my former students, who benefited from those before them, paying it forward. The stories here focus on the many ways the School of Accountancy family, guides and mentors the next generation of alumni and in many cases each other.
One name that appears often in these pages is Amy Murphy. Amy was a champion of the School of Accountancy and a fierce supporter of and mentor to our students for 25 years. Evidence of her impact can be seen in much of what we do and have accomplished. Even in retirement Amy continued in the classroom working with students, and her laughter (and whistle!) continued to echo through the hallways of Lowder Hall. Along with so many of our alumni, we are continuing to mourn her loss. Personally, I’m thankful to have known Amy and feel lucky to have worked alongside her for so many years.
We also want to celebrate our faculty, student, and alumni accomplishments. One of these is the Auburn University Department Award for Excellence in Education which is a yet another example of our outstanding faculty and the superior student experience they provide. It constantly amazes me to witness their talent and dedication.
And now I’m honored to announce that I have been named Acting Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Affairs in the Harbert College of Business. This position was recently vacated by Dr. Joe Hanna who is currently serving as Interim Dean of the Harbert College. I am excited for this next step and know that the School of Accountancy is being left in good leadership. Serving as Acting School of Accountancy Director will be Dr. Jonathan Stanley.
War Eagle!
Duane Brandon, PhD
Taylor Professor and Acting Associate Director of Research and Faculty Affairs harbert college of business
The SOA Connection is a publication of Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business (HCOB) produced and distributed to alumni and friends of the School of Accountancy.
MANAGING EDITOR
Andee Hodo, Director Accounting Graduate and Online Programs
ACTING EDITOR
Allie Dyleski, Administrator, Accounting Graduate and Online Programs
CONTRIBUTORS
Colby Lakas Director, Accounting Recruiting and Professional Development
Troy Turner, Freelance Writer
Greer Miceli, Illustrator
LAYOUT DESIGN
Kate and Robert Finkel
PRINTING
Wallace Graphics Duluth, GA
Mentorship programs sponsored by Auburn’s Harbert College of Business continue to prove professionally beneficial, and the matchups associated with the School of Accountancy are among those creating lasting friendships.
“Our alumni expressed a strong desire to be involved with our students, and we wanted to provide a one-on-one connection for students with someone in the accounting profession who also experienced life at Auburn,” said Mollie Mathis, a Harbert assistant professor and faculty advisor for the National Association of Black Accountants.
The list of professionals who volunteer at Harbert/SOA is impressive in its many facets of diversity, including the representation by a wide range of firms and corporations from different types of industries.
Take, for example, Brooke Peebles Walker, who is the tax director specializing in tax laws and accounting for the popular restaurant chain Chick-fil-A. She volunteered as a mentor for Auburn student-turned-employee Callie Yuan.
“I had the opportunity to begin my relationship with Callie before she ever even became an intern at Chick-fil-A,” Walker recalled. “When she first met with me and inquired about emerging areas, I pulled two books off my bookshelf. One was on Tableau and other Alteryx. I still recall that day vividly and speaking to her about how someone who understood how to leverage data and understood tax would be unstoppable in our profession.
“She took that to heart and emailed me that night to share she had ordered those books and began to teach herself,” Walker said. “To say it is difficult to find individuals who understand technology and tax is an understatement. Callie saw the value and focused on learning those skills.
“Fast-forward and she is an invaluable member of our Tax Technology Team. That one discussion had a lasting impact to both of us.”
Walker enjoys the Auburn bond the two share, as she herself earned from Harbert her undergraduate degree in accounting in 1997 and then a year later her master's degree with a focus in tax.
Yuan, meanwhile, credits the mentor-mentee relationship for helping her launch a career, but also much more.
“Having come to the U.S. all by myself and not knowing anyone, starting a career in a foreign country has been challenging,” she said. “I came to the U.S. without knowing anyone and could barely speak English.
“In my junior year, I already accepted two internship offers that I had dreamt of,” Yuan said. “Then I landed two full-time job offers from both internships one year prior to graduation, passed the CPA exam while in graduate school, and served as a graduate teaching assistant.
“They seemed like a dream,” Yuan said. “It is all because
Auburn has amazing faculty and wonderful resources provided to students to set us up for success. I could not express my gratitude enough to the faculty and staff whose level of caring and dedication go far beyond any job description.”
And, of course, her mentors.
“The mentorship program at Harbert/School of Accountancy helped me in so many ways... My mentors possess extensive knowledge of their respective fields, understand the skills required to excel in that field, and the latest trends in the industry,” Yuan said. “Through their insights, I was able to better understand my role in my career, clarify career goals and determine my strategy to narrow my focus and maximize my potential.
“It is impossible to replicate this type of guidance.”
A mentor in the SOA program need not always be a professional; sometimes, an upper classman will do just fine, says the duo of Dylan Roper and Ben Atchley.
“My mentorship,” says mentor Atchley, a MAcc student and Beta Alpha Psi alumnus, “has really given me a chance to pay forward everything I’ve received from a devoted staff in the School of Accountancy.
“I’ve had a great chance to spend time with my mentee and teach him some of the things you don’t really learn in a classroom. He’s definitely helped me in learning why development of professionals is so important this early. I’m sure with the potential I see in him, he will go far.”
Atchley graduated in May 2022 and is now working on his master’s degree. He held an internship for Tidwell Group in Birmingham.
Underclassman and Rising Accountant & Analyst Program (RAAP) member Roper, meanwhile, is eyeing graduation in May 2023, and then hopes to earn his master’s degree the next year.
“One of the first things my mentor told me was that we are blessed to sit under the teachings of the accounting professors that we have,” he said. “I am given the opportunity to see how true that statement is each day I set foot on campus, and I can testify that we are indeed blessed. We have accounting professors that not only want to see us succeed, but also want to build a personal connection with us as people outside of the classroom.”
He encourages active participation in the BAP/RAAP mentorship program to other current and prospective students considering business careers.
“Its ability to highlight students’ availability to participating firms is what first brought my attention toward this program,” Roper said. “I would highly recommend attending the optional meet-ups with your mentor. Having someone that has gone through the process before you grants a greater amount of needed knowledge and preparation.
“Furthermore, the communication will help you build a stronger relationship with your mentor. As for me, I know that I could call my mentor at any moment, and he would make the time to answer my questions.”
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS MY MENTOR TOLD ME WAS THAT WE ARE BLESSED TO SIT UNDER THE TEACHINGS OF THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSORS THAT WE HAVE
Lauren Ashley White is a transfer student from Southern Union State Community College and began her studies at Auburn in spring 2021. She plans to graduate in May 2023 with a degree in accounting and a minor in information systems while serving as Vice President of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).
She says her mentorship pairing with Jemeca Argue, an accounting manager in Atlanta, didn’t just help with looking ahead at a career, but also with looking now into a mirror of life in general.
“My academic advisor mentioned the NABA mentorship program to me, and I immediately wanted to be a part of it because I did not have a strong accounting mentor yet and needed one,” White said. “Fortunately, I gained more than a mentor, but also a friend and personal life coach.
“This program allows students and professionals to connect academically and socially. Professionals have the ability to pour into their mentees’ lives; share experiences and knowledge that will allow them to succeed.”
She likes what she sees on the path ahead.
“The Harbert College of Business has various programs that are offered to students for their success in and out of the classroom. NABA is one that I think is at the top,” White said. “We are thankful for all the professionals who have given their
time and knowledge so that future Auburn graduates can become successful professionals in the industry.
“I have learned so much about myself and my mentor through conversation and the lessons that she teaches me,” White said. “I am grateful to have my mentor in my life so that I can have someone else in my support corner rooting for me.
“Our relationship is natural and very comforting. That is the key value that I enjoy the most.”
To mentor with Harbert College of Business undergraduate students, visit AuburnConnects.auburn.edu.
To mentor with members of the AU NABA chapter, email Dr. Mollie Mathis at mollie.mathis@auburn.edu
To serve as a guest speaker for accounting classes, please email accounting@auburn.edu.
Will Ousley, BSBA ’17, MAcc ’18, has served on the Harbert College of Business Young Alumni Council for almost three years and will act as council chair for the 2022-2023 term.
Comprised of graduates from across the country, the Young Alumni Council provides support in the continuous development of the Harbert College of Business. Coordinated efforts between the Auburn Alumni Association Young Alumni Council, Harbert College of Business and Young Alumni Council create consistent messaging and communication of information to encourage engagement, mentorship and philanthropy among young Harbert alumni around the world.
Applications are accepted each year by May 1st. More information can be found at https://harbert.auburn.edu/alumni/young-alumni.html
MY ACADEMIC
MENTIONED THE NABA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM TO ME.
GAINED MORE THAN
The Harbert College of Business is always looking for alumni who would like to participate in mentorship relationships with students.
School of accountancy students have continued to soar in 2022! With the help of family, faculty, internship supervisors, and student organizations, accounting students have remained among the top in the Harbert College. With the return of in-person classes and internships, along with Beta Alpha Psi and the recently re-established chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, SOA students have been given newfound and familiar support. New programs and initiatives are ensuring that Auburn School of Accountancy students are reaching their full potential.
W
hen Daniel Blessing says Auburn University has a family feel to it, he probably has more reason to say that than do most students: “Having grown up seeing three of my sisters attend Auburn and major in accounting, I knew early on that I wanted to follow that same path.”
Blessing, with mentorship help from his sisters, graduated in May 2022 with his own degree in accounting, but his roots in Auburn run even deeper.
“I am very proud that the city of Auburn has always been my home. My father, Dr. Daniel Blessing, taught in the department of kinesiology at Auburn for many years, and I have fond memories of spending time in his office at the coliseum,” he said.
“Growing up in Auburn, there was never really a question of where I would attend college,” he said. “My love for the university and the city of Auburn itself made my decision an easy one.”
Same for an interest in an accounting career, Blessing said. “It was common to hear stories of accounting topics around the family dinner table and discussions about whether an account should be debited or credited for a particular journal entry.
“I cannot fully express how much my time at Auburn has meant to me. From the beginning, I have felt a part of the Auburn family and treasured every moment I have had on the Plains.
“I am proud to be an upcoming Auburn alumnus and to continue the distinguished accounting legacy of my family and the Auburn University School of Accountancy.”
would not be where I am today without my mentors. Can anyone with some degree of career success ever say with confidence, “I succeeded all on my own?” In the wake of losing beloved School of Accountancy matriarch (Amy Murphy) in January, the importance of finding a strong mentor came to the forefront of my mind. Amy not only mentored me, but nearly every student who set foot in her office during her 25+ year career at Auburn University. Now that’s truly amazing. She instilled a nugget of wisdom, kernel of confidence, or tidbit of an old Southern adage into each person she met, and a piece of Amy will live in each of us forever. Isn’t that what mentorship embodies? Paying it forward, helping someone find their way, and planting a piece of ourselves in the next generation? Amy once told me that her goal for the day of her retirement was to “just grab her purse and leave Lowder.” She didn’t want to worry that the right knowledge was not imparted, so she shaped her successors with great care and intentionality. Her mission was accomplished in life and in death; even when she metaphorically “left the building,” we find ourselves channeling her spirit in decisions we make.
Amy’s voice echoes in my ear when I meet with students to counsel them on their recruiting process or academic journey; “Always trust your gut, it will never steer you wrong”; “Read your textbook and use the Gleim books,”; or “Love Auburn and it will love you back.” I have my own style, but Amy’s unwavering passion for this profession pervades the advice I give. Just like old habits, good advice is not easily forgotten. Take some time to find a mentor (if you don’t have one) or to mentor someone who could use a little direction; you will never fathom the impact you’ve been missing.
War Eagle! Colby Lakas soa director of recruiting and professional development
IJust like old habits, good advice is not easily forgotten. Take some time to find a mentor (if you don’t have one) or to mentor someone who could use a little direction; you will never fathom the impact you’ve been missing.
In the past year, Beta Alpha Psi experienced significant changes regarding the format of our operations. After successfully adapting to a virtual environment, our chapter pivoted once more to in-person events during the fall semester. Our executive board worked diligently to restore the previous Beta Alpha Psi on-campus experience to ensure our members reaped the benefits of networking opportunities, professional growth, and community involvement. We invited our professional partners to return in person at our professional meetings, which allowed our students to interact face-to-face with potential employers. We continued using virtual platforms to supplement connections with our members, establishing a more flexible and efficient environment. I want to thank Mrs. Colby Lakas, the 2021 Executive Board, and our BAP members for their incredible efforts in the face of adversity to maintain our chapter’s Superior status.
War Eagle, Huy Vu 2021 President epsilon omicron chapter beta alpha psi
BAP Officers: (Left to Right)
Katie Atchison, Clare Promer, Makenzie Moulton, Huy Vu, Katherine Mandy, Maizie Summersell, Savannah Street
Mason Stivers, Sarah Boykin, Katharine Mandy, Jack Wyatt, and Ben Atchley attended Auburn High School for a day of mentorship.
Professional Partners of our Beta Alpha Psi chapter are committed to recruiting Auburn students for internships and full-time jobs. The School of Accountancy and Beta Alpha Psi wish to thank our professional partners for making these opportunities available and for helping us prepare students for the accounting profession.
» The Fred & Charlene Kam “Human Touch” Service Award Winner
» Excellence in Communications and Marketing Nominee
thank you to the sponsoring firms and organizations that help support the mission of beta alpha psi.
The Auburn University National Association of Black Accountants chapter was found fall 2021 with the help of faculty sponsor Dr. Mollie Mathis, corporate mentor and School of Accountancy Alumnus Lamar Barnett, and countless corporate and individual sponsors.
“The mission of NABA, Inc. is to address the professional needs of its members and to build leaders that shape the future of the accounting and finance profession with an unfaltering commitment to inspire the same in their successors. The Association shall unite through membership accountants, finance and business related professionals and students who have similar interests and ideals, are committed to professional and academic excellence, possess a sense of professional and civic responsibility, and are concerned with enhancing opportunities for minorities in the accounting, finance and business related professions.”
The RSM US Foundation’s University Impact Fund (UIF) provides grants to U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities that have an impact in communities where we live and work. Grants supports programming, events and activities that help the schools empower future professionals, in such focus areas as women, technology, diversity and inclusion, and innovation. Rather than target an individual student, funds are used to provide larger student populations with access to speakers, programs, net-working and other resources.
The AU NABA chapter is grateful to be a recipient of the RSM grant this year. This grant was instrumental in helping relaunch the AU chapter.
NABA CAPPED OFF A STELLAR FIRST YEAR WITH SEVERAL AWARDS AT THE 10TH ANNUAL INVOLVEMENT AWARDS, HOSTED BY STUDENT INVOLVEMENT.
» Outstanding New Organization Winner
At Auburn University, NABA is open to all Harbert College of Business students regard-less of major with no minimum GPA requirement. We strive to create an uplifting, inclusive community within the Harbert College of Business.
In the 2021-2022 academic year, NABA members visited KPMG and RSM in Birmingham and heard presentations from Aflac, BMSS, CohnReznick, Gross Collins, Koch, KPMG, RSM, and TCPA.
Asafe space for minorities and allies looking to pursue accounting, or any other major, has been missing at the Harbert College of Business; and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) fulfilled this need. NABA pushed to form an atmosphere that embodied the Auburn family, where students could be comfortable expressing themselves while gaining the tools necessary to be high quality candidates for internships and jobs. We had fun in NABA this past semester while setting up our future to shine brighter. Not only did we gain valuable connections with mentors, but we forged strong bonds with our peers. The resurrection of the National Association of Black Accountants on Auburn’s campus has given students the opportunity to socialize and connect with employers authentically. I am immensely proud to have served as NABA’s president for the 2021 spring and fall semesters!
Yours Truly, Janiah Fryer 2021 president
national association of black accountants
» The Corey Edwards Organization Advisor of the Year Winner: Dr. Mollie Mathis
» Outstanding Incorporation of Diversity & Inclusion Nominee
Don’t mess with Triston Long during tax season; he’s a busy fellow.
The Auburn University School of Accountancy intern from Walnut Hill, Florida, worked the 2022 tax season with the Warren Averett CPA firm at its Pensacola office, and prior to that internship he worked one with insurance giant Aflac. But his preparation all started at Auburn.
“From my very first tour of the campus, I fell in love with the small-town feel at Auburn,” Long said. “I am from a very small town, and Auburn gave me the big university experience while still feeling like I was in a small town.
“I originally started in computer science, but I quickly found out that I didn't enjoy programming as a career. I had taken an accounting class that I really enjoyed at a junior college,” he said. “I knew accounting was where I wanted to be.”
Long attributes his early work opportunities to those offered him at Auburn.
“I am extremely grateful for the Harbert College of Business, the School of Accountancy, and the wonderful staff that always challenged me and pushed me to be my best,” he said. “The opportunities they provide for real world experiences such as resume reviews, mock interviews, and etiquette dinners, on top of a great networking experience like the all-important “Meet the Firms,” definitely prepared me for both my internship at Aflac and where I am working now.
“I wouldn't be where I am today without them!”
AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION Dothan, AL
AFLAC Columbus, GA
ALDRIDGE, BORDEN & COMPANY, P.C. Montgomery, AL
ANGLIN REICHMANN ARMSTRONG Huntsville, AL Pensacola, FL
APRIO Atlanta, GA
BDO Charlotte, NC BENNETT THRASHER Atlanta, GA
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD Birmingham, AL
BMSS Birmingham, AL Huntsville, AL
BORLAND BENEFIELD Auburn, AL Birmingham, AL
CARR, RIGGS & INGRAM Montgomery, AL
COBBS ALLEN Birmingham, AL CohnReznick Bethesda, MD
CORK, HILL, & COMPANY LLC Birmingham, AL
DELL TECHNOLOGIES Austin, TX
At the School of Accountancy, our students gain invaluable experience through internships while also earning college credits. Internships give our students the opportunity to work first-hand in their field and practice necessary business skills and principles learned in class. If you are interested being part of our internship program contact Colby Lakas to learn more: chl0009@auburn.edu
DELOITTE Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL Charlotte, NC Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Hartford, CT Houston, TX McLean, VA New York City, NY London, England
DIXON HUGHES GOODMAN Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL
ENCOMPASS HEALTH Birmingham, AL
EY Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL Houston, TX Nashville, TN New York City, NY
FRAZIER & DEETER Atlanta, GA
HCA HEALTHCARE Nashville, TN
HEATER CPA (JENNIFER HEATER) Waxhaw, NC
HIMMELWRIGHT, HUGULEY & BOLES Auburn, AL Opelika, AL
JACKSON THORNTON Dothan, AL Montgomery, AL Opelika, AL
JOHNSON LAMBERT Atlanta, GA
KPMG Dallas, TX Nashville, TN Tampa, FL
MACHEN MCCHESNEY Auburn, AL
MAULDIN & JENKINS Atlanta, GA
MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES Westminster, CO
MYERS AND STAUFFER Atlanta, GA
NASA Huntsville, AL
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE HUMANITIES Washington, D.C.
PEARCE, BEVILL, LEESBURG, MOORE Birmingham, AL
PIPER SANDLER New York City, NY
PIVOTAL FINANCE Auburn, AL PWC Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL Charlotte, NC Dallas, TX Houston, TX Nashville, TN New York City, NY
RÖDL & PARTNER Birmingham, AL Greenville, SC
RSM Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL Chicago, IL Nashville, TN Tampa, FL
SMITH, DUKES, AND BUCKALEW Mobile, AL
TIDWELL GROUP Birmingham, AL
TURPIN & ASSOCIATES, PC Birmingham, AL
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE Atlanta, GA
WARNERMEDIA Atlanta, GA
Warren Averett Birmingham, AL Huntsville, AL Montgomery, AL
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t is my privilege to be able to guide the graduate and online students within the School of Accountancy. Whether it be on the CPA Exam, in classes, or in their personal lives, I am honored to be able to work with such an impressive group of students. It is my hope that in instilling what I have learned from my successors and as an Auburn MAcc alumna, our students will continue to pay forward their Auburn education to future generations of accounting students.
As we have continued to return to our normal lives in the School of Accountancy, we have tried to make up for lost time. The 2021-2022 academic year saw the start of the online Expanded MAcc, the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, and the Graduate Certificate in Accountancy being offered on campus. We strive to maintain programs that are cutting edge and to stay on top of changes in the accounting industry. With changes coming to the CPA Exam, we will continue to ensure that our programs set students up for success. We look forward to seeing the transformations ahead and to watch the accounting profession grow.
We were thrilled to be able to host graduates from five, ten, and even thirty years back on campus for their MAcc reunions at the Alumni and Friends Tailgate and can’t wait to have the next reunions this November. In 2022, we will once again be inviting our alumni and friends to join us at the annual Accounting and Auditing Summit, now happening in September, which will host renowned speakers and offer eight hours of CPE credit.
Our programs will continue to adapt and progress to see that the students who pass through our classes make an impression on those around them. I am grateful to serve in my position and to follow in the footsteps of my mentor and dear friend, Amy Murphy. I hope to one day have the same impact on the Auburn Family that she did during her tenure as Director of the MAcc Program. She is the perfect example of ‘paying it forward.’
The annual MAcc Leadership Summit is the culmination of the Master of Accountancy degree and is a required component of the program for graduation. Campus and online MAcc students participated in a two-day leadership workshop focused on collaboration, problem-solving, giving and receiving feedback, and time management. The two-day event was capped off with a keynote presentation by Kevin Paul Scott.
Andee Hodo, CPA director,
“CAMPUS MA cc CLASS OF 2022 ONLINE MA cc CLASS OF 2022
We strive to maintain programs that are cutting edge and to stay on top of changes in the accounting industry.
F all 2021 saw the start of a new program in the SOA, the accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program in accountancy or ABMAcc. The ABMAcc allows current Auburn undergraduates to get a head start on their graduate coursework. Students take three courses for graduate credit that count towards both their BSBA and MAcc, leaving them with only 21 hours in the MAcc. Students benefit from undergraduate tuition rates while also reducing their load in the MAcc year. Fifteen students were a part of the inaugural ABMAcc class and are now a part of the MAcc Class of 2023.
Through the ABMAcc, I was challenged to think about course concepts at the graduate level; I have already seen this practice of higher thinking pay dividends as both an intern at a public accounting firm and now a MAcc student myself. In addition to the unique learning opportunity, the ABMAcc allowed me to earn graduate course credit as an undergraduate student.
he six online programs offered by the School of Accountancy continue to be top ranked and well-respected. The introduction of the expanded Master of Accountancy in 2021 saw an increase in students with a business undergraduate background take advantage of completing the MAcc degree, including the traditional accounting prerequisites, at a quicker pace.
The hallmark of the MAcc year continues to be the CPA Exam embedded into the program in the spring semester. Employers continuously rave about Auburn students an their completion of the exam prior to graduation, therefore, making Auburn graduate highly desired. The MAcc classes of 2021 and 2022 continue to prove that Auburn students have what it takes to be successful.
EXAM SECTION AUBURN MACC PROGRAM* first-time candidates
NATIONAL PERCENT PASSING AVERAGE ** repeat & first-time candidates
FINANCIAL (FAR) 84% 47% BUSINESS (BEC) 87% 63%
REGULATION (REG) 86% 59%
AUDIT (AUD) 75% 51%
* Source: Sudents’ Offcial CPA Exam Score Reports on first attempt.
** Source: The National Percent Passing rates for the 1st and 2nd Quarter of 2021 were obtained from the AICPA. Auburn MAcc students sat for FAR and BEC during the first quarter of 2021 and REG and AUD during the second quarter and third quarter.
The Auburn MAcc Ambassadors, the official hosts/hostesses of the Auburn MAcc Program, represent not only the MAcc Program but also the School of Accountancy by giving tours to prospective students, assisting with alumni events, and organizing MAcc social events. Led by the Martin Fellow, this select group of students represents the best of the MAcc class each year.
Left to Right: Alex Wang, Scott Lowery, John Paul Rumore
Bottom row left to right: Chloe Thaeler, Maggie McCrory, Ashley Thomas, Hannah Williams
This year, I have had the privilege of serving as the 2021-2022 Martin Fellow, through which I have not only created closer relationships with my class, but networked with alumni, donors, faculty, and prospective students. Gary Martin established the Martin Fellowship in 2010, which, every year, grants one graduate student the opportunity to serve in a graduate assistantship position focused on philanthropy and alumni relations. In this role, I serve as the head hostess for the School of Accountancy and the lead ambassador for the Auburn MAcc Program. I, along with six other MAcc ambassadors, facilitate school tours for alumni and prospective students, organize monthly social events for our class, and help plan the annual SOA alumni tailgate and advisory council meetings. Through my interactions with Auburn SOA alumni, I have learned the importance of staying engaged in my alma mater as an alumnus. Not only has this position allowed me to develop my professional and networking skills, but it has given me the opportunity to serve as a leader for my class and ensure that everyone feels included and encouraged throughout their time in the MAcc program. Serving in this prestigious role has been such an honor, and I am so grateful for the opportunity and for Mr. Martin’s continued generosity and support of Auburn students.
In December 2021, the MAcc class traveled to California for our “International Trip”. While we couldn’t have the traditional international experience, the entire class and myself were very excited and appreciative of the effort and hard work that the faculty put into making a trip possible while COVID was still looming. The first few days were spent in San Francisco, and I personally enjoyed our time there the most. A big reason for that was due to the service activity that we took part in.
In the months leading up to the trip, our class was challenged to raise as much money as we could for the organization that we were working with on the service day, Code Tenderloin. This proved to be largely successful as our class was able to surpass the $10,000 threshold, which was donated entirely for the non-profit to use in whatever way was needed.
On the day of the service activity, we were able to gain some perspective as we heard from some of the employees as well as some of the homeless population that were receiving the benefits of Code Tenderloin. It was certainly an eye-opening and humbling experience, and it was easy to see that many of my fellow classmates and I wanted to make an impact because of it. Throughout the day, part of the class packed bags to hand out to some of the homeless population in the area, and a small group of us conducted mock interviews to a few of the Code Tenderloin beneficiaries that were getting ready for interviews for potential job opportunities. I was part of the mock-interview group, and I truly enjoyed being able to use skills that I have picked up throughout my time at Auburn University and give back.
Overall, the trip was an incredible experience. Our class was able to bond and grow closer with one another while also helping an exceptional organization in the process.
School of accountancy faculty continue to prove why they are the best within the Harbert College and at Auburn University. With Jennifer Cornett as the second SOA faculty member in a row to be chosen by the students to give SGA’s final lecture and the school receiving the Departmental Award for Excellence in Education, School of Accountancy faculty continue to impress. Once again, Dr. Kerry Inger has demonstrated what it means to be Auburn faculty; and the remarkable list of publications and conferences amassed by the faculty as whole shows just how extraordinary they really are.
Dr. Jonathan Stanley is originally from Greenville, AL and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Master of Taxation, and PhD from the University of Alabama. He began his career with EY in Birmingham and joined the Auburn faculty in 2009 after spending time on faculty at Clemson University. He most recently served as the Director of Quality Assurance for the Harbert College of Business and Taylor Professor for the School of Accountancy. His research focuses on the determinants of audit quality and the information contained in audit disclosures. His work has been published in various journals, including Accounting Horizons, Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, Current Issues in Auditing, Issues in Accounting Education, and Journal of Accounting and Public Policy. He has received various awards in recognition of research and teaching, including the American Accounting Association’s Outstanding Auditing Dissertation Award, the Auburn School of Accountancy’s Outstanding Research and Teaching Awards, and the Auburn Harbert College’s Lowder Teaching Award.
Dr. Stanley has taught a variety of auditing and financial accounting courses at the undergraduate, masters, and MBA levels. Currently, he teaches Intermediate Accounting I and Advanced Accounting Topics to undergraduate and MAcc students. He has been married to Natalie for 20 years, and they have three children (Sawyer, Drew and Jenna).
The School of Accountancy was awarded the 2021 Departmental Award for Excellence in Education. This award provides a structure for both recognizing teaching excellence and supporting future teaching and learning improvement efforts.
With this award, the School of Accountancy will build upon the department’s success to elevate the Auburn experience for accounting students, faculty, and alumni/stakeholders by pursuing three target initiatives that are consistent with Auburn University’s and the Harbert College of Business’s strategic goals. First, by embedding global programs into our undergraduate curriculum, we will develop a global mindset and prepare our students to compete in the global economy. Second, we will continue to foster pedagogical innovation by: developing and disseminating educational cases to promote an active learning environment and increase the visibility of our highly ranked education research program; promoting transformative research by strengthening the visibility and elevating the impact of our highly ranked education research program; and investing in exceptional and engaged faculty and staff through global experiences and support for teaching seminars. Third, the Accounting and Auditing Summit hosted by the SOA will bring students and alumni professionals together in a collaborative learning environment, creating important networking opportunities for students while strengthening our bond with SOA stakeholders.
Jennifer Cornett, senior lecturer in the School of Accountancy, was voted by students to give the illustrious Final Lecture. The annual Final Lecture is an opportunity for seniors to hear their favorite professors present before them one last time – one final lesson, either in academics or life. Cornett, who has been at Auburn since 2004 teaches Principles of Financial Accounting to Harbert College of Business students. She serves as the second consecutive School of Accountancy Final Lecture, following Bob Cochran in 2020.
She saw the gold records hanging on the wall, and right then and there Kerry Inger determined she wanted a career that might be fun. So, she became an accountant.
True story, although she previously planned on becoming a political science major and attend law school. She has her mother to thank for doing otherwise.
“I realized I was better suited for a career in business. I was unsure of what to major in until I was with my mom meeting with her accountant,” Inger recalled. The accountant “had gold records from the bands she represented on her wall, and I thought accounting must be a fun career. I switched to accounting and although I didn’t get to work with celebrities, I had a great experience working in public accounting.”
Inger the last 10 years has served on the faculty at Auburn University’s School of Accountancy. She earned her own degrees at the University of Florida and a PhD at Virginia Tech, but then was attracted to Auburn. And she’s still having fun.
Inger, in addition to mentoring and teaching students at Auburn, is involved in research leadership overseas, exploring various tax issues and their impact on business and society. Her travels have taken her to countries all around the world, and in the summer of 2022 she will be in Rome, teaching in the Harbert College of Business study abroad program. She also plans to teach in Germany.
She enjoys inspiring others considering a career in business, including outside the classroom in mentorship work.
“When I started at Auburn, I always felt like I had a team of mentors. This has been critical to my success, and I feel that it is important that I repay this favor,” she said. “I find that research projects with junior faculty offer a mutually beneficial mentorship opportunity.”
Beck, A., C. Gilstrap, J. Rippy, and Vansant, B. Forthcoming. “Strategic expense reporting by nonprofits around bound issuances: Evidence from the U.S. hospital industry.” Review of Accounting Studies.
Do nonprofit hospitals use a financial reporting strategy to reduce the cost of tax-exempt bond debt, while simultaneously satisfying regulatory and community expectations regarding the provision of charity care? Using data from public bond issues for California hospitals, evidence shows that hospital managers shift costs from bad debt expense to charity care in periods prior to a public bond issuance. Further analysis documents that this reporting strategy results in a lower cost of debt.
Cheng, X. Forthcoming. “The Effect of the Frequency of Instructional Messages and Message Source on Auditors’ Knowledge Sharing Behavior.” Journal of Information Systems.
DeMatte, K., I. Hardeck, K. K. Inger, and R. D. Moore. 2021. “Do Corporations Have a Social Responsibility Regarding Taxes.” Tax Notes 171 (April 2021): 53.
Cheng, X., T. Wang, and C. Hsu. Forthcoming. “Talk too much? The impact of cybersecurity disclosures on investment decisions.” Communications of the Association for Information Systems.
Black, P. W. T. Meservy, W. Tayler, and J. Williams. Forthcoming. “Surrogation fundamentals: Measurement and cognition.” Journal of Management Accounting Research.
High-profile cybersecurity breaches have raised concerns regarding how organizations disclose security management information to the public. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed a cybersecurity risk management (CSRM) reporting framework to better help organizations convey their cybersecurity programs to the public. Do cybersecurity disclosures, as developed by AICPA, affect investment decisions?
Do stakeholders view tax payments as a part of corporate social responsibility? Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence from prior research provide readers with a framework for the viewpoints. Managers, shareholders, standard setters and other stakeholders varying perceptions of how tax fits into the corporate social responsibility paradigm highlight the challenges accountants face dealing with this topic.
when an auditor with a long relationship was able to maintain the client, their fees were discounted. Interestingly, the findings were the same even if the company had been voluntarily providing this information in their proxy statement. This research shows the importance of placing information in the audit report and the real consequences of such decisions by the PCAOB.
Inger, K., M. Adams, and M. Meckfessel. Forthcoming. “Reasonable Compensation: Circuit Court Differences Create Confusion and Inconsistency.” The American Taxation Association Journal of Legal Tax Research.
Inger, K. K., and M. Mathis. 2021. “Taxes: Taking a Bite out of Bitcoin.” Issues in Accounting Education 36 (1): 57–64, https://doi.org/10.2308/ISSUES-19-061.
The School of Accountancy is pleased to announce that AACSB International (AACSB) has extended the accreditation of both the Harbert College of Business and the School of Accountancy after undergoing a Continuous Improvement Review. AACSB is the premier accreditor of business education, with a total of 953 institutions across 59 countries achieving business accreditation and 192 institutions achieving accounting accreditation.
Blaylock, B., J. F. Downes, S. D. White, and M. Mathis. 2021. “Do Bondholders Incorporate Expected Repatriation Taxes Into Their Pricing of Debt?” Review of Accounting Studies, August.
Prior to the TCJA, U.S. firms could avoid U.S. federal taxes on foreign earnings by leaving the earnings overseas. Do bondholders incorporate these future taxes into the price of debt? Results suggest that bondholders do incorporate these taxes into the cost of debt around the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and the 2016 U.S. election – both events where there were significant changes to expected repatriation taxes.
Findings suggest that investors are less likely to invest in breached firms with the disclosure of CSRM reports alone. Disclosing the risk management report with an independent assurance report does not result in the mitigation of the negative impact of security breach news. These findings support arguments that investors are more likely to blame companies claiming the effectiveness of CSRM first but experience a security breach later.
Dunn, R. T., N. G. Lundstrom, and M. S. Wilkins. 2021. “The Impact of Mandatory Auditor Tenure Disclosures on Ratification Voting, Auditor Dismissal, and Audit Pricing.” Contemporary Accounting Research 38 (4): 2871–2917.
Inger, K., and J. Stekelberg. Forthcoming. “Valuation Implications of Socially Responsible Tax Avoidance: Evidence from the Electricity Industry.” Journal of Accounting and Public Policy.
Cooper, L., K. Key, and M. Mathis. 2021. “S Corporations and IRC Section 199A: Tax Projections and Planning.” Issues in Accounting Education TBD.
Although it is not clear whether a longer auditor-client relationship improves or deteriorates audit quality, many investors have asked for this information to be made readily available for all public companies. The PCAOB answered by mandating auditors disclose the initial year of the auditor-client relationship in the signature block of the audit report. What are the consequences of this disclosure? Research found that following the first round of disclosures, auditors that disclosed long relationships were voted against more often by shareholders and were ultimately dismissed more by the audit committee. Those with shorter relationships were unaffected. It also found that
Key, K., M. Healy, and E. Mulligan. 2021. “Closing the Cultural Intelligence Skills Gap in Accounting Students: An Action Research Approach to Cross-cultural Teamwork.” British Accounting Review.
Mathis, M. B. Beyer, J. Downes, and E. Rapley. 2022. “U.S. Multinational Companies’ Payout and Investment Decisions in Response to International Tax Provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.” Journal of the American Taxation Association, February.
The School of Accountancy first achieved AACSB accounting accreditation in 1997 and has successfully earned reaccreditation every five years since. The accreditation process includes a rigorous internal focus as well as engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor and peer-reviewed evaluation. The 2022 Peer Review Team consisted of Beth Walker, Dean at Colorado State University and Javier Reyes Dean at West Virginia University for the business accreditation and Aaron Crabtree, Associate Dean of Masters Programs and Executive Development at the University of NebraskaLincoln, Gary Peters, Professor and Chair at the University of Arkansas, and Yvonne Hinson, CEO of American Accounting Association for the accounting accreditation. The three-day visit consisted of meetings with College and School leadership, financial resources, advancement, student support services, curriculum committees, faculty, and students.
Dr. Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the Harbert College of Business oversaw preparing the College’s reaccreditation package. “Preparing for the Continuous Improvement Review is a heavy lift, but the outcomes are well worth it. You see the school’s story and the execution of the strategic plan for the last five years come to life in a single document. We were fortunate to have an amazing peer review team who both offered numerous commendations as well as offered insights on how to take the college to the next level.”
As always, the school of accountancy is thrilled to recognize the accomplish ments of its alumni, the backbone of the SOA. Without the unfettered support of our former students nation-wide, the School of Accountancy would not continue to grow in reputation and prestige. In addition to celebrating successes, we also mourn the losses of dear friends who have paved the way for future generations of accountants.
The SOA was thrilled to be able to host the 2021 Alumni and Friends Tailgate!
Amy Beth Murphy (’88, ‘92), beloved mentor, colleague, and friend, passed away on January 18, 2022, at her home on Lake Martin at the age of 62
Amy was born on April 4, 1959, to Charles F. Murphy and Sarah Beth Murphy of Tanner, AL. Upon graduating from Tanner High School in 1977, she pursued a career in banking. Amy took an entry-level file clerk position at Central Bank (now BBVA Compass Bank) and then worked her way up to mid-management; however, after being told she wouldn’t receive any future promotions without a four-year degree, she promptly resigned and enrolled at Auburn University. Under the advisement of Gary Waters, Amy pursued a bachelor’s degree in accounting and became a CPA. Amy graduated with her undergraduate degree in 1988 and began working for EY where she served clients in the banking and healthcare industries. In 1991, she returned to Auburn for graduate school and received her Master of Accountancy in 1992. After earning her MAcc, Amy taught for one year and knew she had found her calling in life. In 1994, former Harbert College of Business Dean and Professor, Wayne Alderman, hired Amy as the Master of Accountancy Program Director. In a previous interview, Amy recounted a quote from John Maxwell that stuck with her, ‘One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.’ Amy credited her mentors, Dr. Gary Waters, Dr. Wayne Alderman, and Dr. Rick Tabor, for helping her reach her destination of serving students in higher education. Amy strived to emulate with her students what her mentors did for her. In her 25 years as the MAcc Program Director, she taught, advised, and mentored thousands of students. Amy
taught courses in financial accounting and professional development and made innumerable contributions to accounting programs at Auburn. In 2000, she developed the School of Accountancy's first formal internship program and launched the online Master of Accountancy program. This led to the development of Auburn University's first online undergraduate program — the BSBA in Accountancy — in 2014. In 2005, she pioneered a change to the MAcc curriculum allowing students to sit for and pass the CPA Exam before graduation. This change has resulted in students achieving amazing pass rates and the program gaining national recognition. Additionally, Amy established the SOA Connection and served as the editor for 18 years; developed the Accounting Roadmap to Success, the SOA’s undergraduate recruiting and program guidance brochure; and served as Beta Alpha Psi and Financial Leadership Society faculty advisor for a decade. In retirement, Amy continued to mentor aspiring accounting students in the classroom.
As proof of her exemplary leadership, Amy received many awards and honors throughout her years of service to the School of Accountancy. They include 2019 School of Accountancy Outstanding Alumna, Auburn University Faculty Woman of Distinction Award 2019, Auburn University SGA’s Final Lecturer Nominee 2018, Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Teacher Award 2017, Alabama Society of CPAs Outstanding Accounting Educator Award 2017, Amy B. Murphy Endowed Professorship Funded by Alumni and Faculty 2016, naming of the Beta Alpha Psi Amy B. Murphy Service Award 2015, and the newly established Amy B. Murphy Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Amy was a member of the Alabama Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, and was a licensed CPA in the State of Alabama. She was a member of the EY Alumni Council for the Birmingham office and served on the Board of Directors of Murphy Cotton Company, Inc. for 20 years as well as on the Board of Directors for Auburn National Bancorporation.
Amy exemplified the Auburn Spirit. In a letter, Amy once wrote ‘From the very first day I was on campus, I knew that I belonged. Without realizing it, my parents had raised me to live by the Auburn Creed long before I became an Auburn woman. My life has been so full of blessings thanks to my parents, students, School of Accountancy faculty and alumni, EY family, and the Auburn family as a whole. . . I will, forevermore, be an Auburn woman.’ Amy considered being a part of the Auburn family as one of the greatest blessings of her life. Throughout her tenure, her commitment to excellence was unwavering. She led with passion and excitement every single day and inspired her students to be the best they could be. Amy once said, “My students will always be my heart and soul, I love them dearly.” Her commitment to Auburn University and the School of Accountancy was above and beyond the call of duty. Through her legacy and contributions and the lives she touched, Amy will live on for many, many years.
A
rthur Hodge Metcalf, II (Buddy) was born in Montgomery, Alabama on October 29, 1946 to Arthur Hodge Metcalf and Willodean Greer. He passed away unexpectedly at home in Auburn, Alabama on February 20, 2022.
Buddy grew up in Montgomery as an only child, loved and raised by not only his parents but also his stepmother Myra Metcalf and his aunt Elizabeth Metcalf. He attended Lanier High School where he played baseball and bought and flipped cars on the side. It wasn’t until college, however, that Buddy found his three true and lasting loves: Auburn University, Sigma Chi, and Jean Hughes. Not a great student, especially with his original engineering major, Buddy eventually found accounting where he excelled. More interesting than studying was Sigma Chi.
With the Gamma Sigma chapter at Auburn he found brothers for life and Buddy spent his life devoted to Sigma Chi. In 1999 he became Grand Consul of the national fraternity and was so proud to serve in nearly every capacity possible. In his retirement, he continued to work with the young Sigma Chis at Auburn and enjoyed every moment of continued work and mentorship with the next generation. Buddy and Jean Hughes were married in November 1969. After marrying in Birmingham, they moved to Atlanta where Buddy started a job with Alexander Grant and quickly realized his big personality wasn’t made for working for other folks at a Big 5 accounting firm. So, he started his own accounting firm, Metcalf Davis, in a small space with Jean helping him on the weekends. He grew the firm into a highly successful business that he loved. Jean and Buddy loved their life together, traveled the world, and raised two daughters,
Melissa Metcalf and Amy Clark. He loved and adored his girls. He was invested in their day-to-day activities, prioritized education, and of course became a sports fan of his girls’ alma maters. His life was grounded and centered around his three girls and ultimately his two granddaughters, Bonnie and Norah.
Buddy and Jean spent 50 years in Atlanta, loved the city and loved raising their children there but longed to return to the place they met. In 2018, they bought a home in Auburn and moved back to where it all started in 1967.
Those who knew Buddy, loved Buddy, and you knew you were loved dearly in return. He loved his extended family of truly beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and of course all of his friends near and far. He is survived by his loving wife, daughters, granddaughters and two grand pugs. Buddy is irreplaceable and will be forever missed by all who loved him.
Newcomb graduated from Auburn in 1976, earning a degree in accountancy, with honors, from the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business. She earned her MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Houston in 1987. Newcomb served for 20 years as president of A.G. Newcomb & Co., a strategic consulting firm that provided customized strategic and financial solutions for community and regional banks across the United States. She currently serves on the board of directors for Luther Burbank Corpora-
tion/Luther Burbank Corp. in Santa Rosa, California, where she is chair of the audit and risk committee. From 2010-2015, Newcomb served on the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond-Baltimore. In her more than three decades in banking, Newcomb developed a national reputation as an expert on regional and community bank business models and trends. She has worked on a wide range of financial and strategic initiatives for institutions of all sizes and charters. She is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter at national and state bank conferences, board retreats and symposiums. Early in her career, Newcomb served as president, CEO and board member of ACB Business Partners, the for-profit subsidiary of America's Community Bankers, a national banking trade association. She spent 10 years in investment banking and strategic consulting with three national firms and served as was vice president of strategic planning and senior mergers and acquisitions at Security Pacific Corporation in Los Angeles, then the fourth-largest bank in the country. Newcomb has served Auburn in various volunteer leadership roles and in 2013 was honored as the School of Accountancy Alumna of the Year. For 15 years, Newcomb served on and chaired the Harbert College of Business Advisory Council and served on the Women’s Leadership Advisory Board in the College of Liberal Arts. She is currently a member of the Samford Society, the Petrie Society, the Foy Society and is a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association. She has a daughter, Rachel, a 2010 Auburn graduate.
ANDY GARLINGTON ‘03 Chief Financial Officer, Centerstone Nashville
2020-2021
BRITTANY BARBOSA ’09, ‘10
Partner, Grant Thornton LLP Atlanta
MATT CROCOMBE ’06, ‘07
Managing Director, EY, Atlanta
DREW HOOPER ‘11 Partner, Tidwell Group Birmingham
LEE HUDSON ’05, 06 Partner, Moore Stephens Tiller Atlanta
HARRISON LEWIS '06, '07
Partner, EY Nashville
DAVID PATTON ‘06
Partner, Frazier & Deeter LLC Atlanta
AMY STAPLER ’01, ‘02
Member, BMSS Huntsville
MATT STEWART ‘14
Partner, DLHC Birmingham
LAURA TABER '11, '12
Partner, Robinson Grimes Columbus, GA
DANIEL TEW '07
Principal, Jackson Thornton Dothan
D
avid Walker thought he might someday be an engineer or perhaps a lawyer, but after a bit of encouragement from a mentor who suggested he try his hand at accounting, he became a CPA. Today he leads one of the most reputable privately held firms in America.
Walker is the president and CEO of EBSCO Industries, a global company based in Birmingham working in a wide spectrum of businesses including information services, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and distribution, and business and financial services.
The company has approximately $2.8 billion in annual revenue and 5,000 team members.
Walker earned his Auburn degree from Harbert College of Business in 1992, majoring in accountancy.
“I grew up in Clanton,” he said, however, “Auburn University has been part of my family for several generations. In fact, both sets of my grandparents lived in Auburn. So, I grew up spending time in Auburn with family and going to Auburn events.
“My intent was to major in engineering or pre-law, but through a fortunate association with Dr. C. Wayne Alderman at Phi Gamma Delta, he encouraged me consider an accounting major and determine whether I wanted to attend law school later.
“It was the best academic advice that I received at Auburn.” Backed by his Harbert education and CPA status, Walker began his career with Ernst and Young in Birmingham. His clients included some of Alabama’s largest private companies, such as EBSCO Industries, Drummond Corporation and Avondale Mills. After four years with Ernst & Young, he joined one of his clients, PJ America, on the day that it filed its initial public offering.
PJ America was the largest franchisee of Papa John’s Pizza. At PJ America, Walker served as vice president and corporate controller and was part of the leadership team that more than tripled the company’s number of units. In 2000, he joined EBSCO, where during the next 20 years he worked in several
key positions on his way up the ladder to becoming its president and CEO.
He enjoys reflecting on the role Auburn played in moving him along in his career, and he remains connected to the university in a variety of ways, including service on the Harbert College of Business Advisory Council.
“Harbert College has an excellent reputation, and I am very proud to be a graduate of and to be associated with Harbert College, Dean Annette Ranft, and Harbert’s amazing faculty,” Walker said. “Without question, my experience at Harbert College prepared me for a successful career in public accounting, and my public accounting experience exposed me to a network that led to many rewarding personal and professional opportunities.
“My fondest memories involve faculty who invested in me during my years at Auburn University. Dedicated and committed faculty such as Dr. Alderman, Ms. Amy Murphy, and Dr. Arlette Wilson personally invested in my success,” he said, “and I am extremely grateful to them for those investments.”
Walker is an outdoor enthusiast and avid reader. He enjoys gardening and traveling with his wife, Lindy, and their children, John David (Caroline), Elise and Megan.
e once thought he’d be a teacher and Georgia Bulldog, but Atlanta native Terry Sparks could not escape his family ties to Auburn and found his way to the Plains for two business degrees that have helped propel him into a highly successful accounting career.
Sparks, named the School of Accountancy 2022 Outstanding Alumnus, today serves as the managing partner for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s Alabama practice.
After earning his bachelor's degree in 1996 and Master of Accountancy in 1997, he and his family have lived in Birmingham for the past 25 years.
“I grew up in an Auburn family. My dad graduated from Auburn in 1962 and my earliest memories were Saturday games on campus,” Sparks said. “I initially attended the University of Georgia for one year and transferred after my freshman year to Auburn.
“In terms of accounting, I initially was a history major,” he said. “My parents are both educators (an English teacher and a high school football coach), and I thought that perhaps teaching was in my future.”
A fondness for solving challenges with numbers, however, created a new interest, Sparks said.
“I have always been fairly good at math, and the problemsolving aspects of the initial accounting classes that I took were intriguing to me. I switched to accounting before my junior year,” he said. “The investment of the faculty within the School of Accountancy really made a difference to me, and the real-world experience that the faculty had and shared was impactful.
“I also appreciated learning that a career in accounting was about a lot more than just numbers; that there was a key and critical people element of working together, meeting and growing relationships with colleagues and clients and investing in opportunities in the community,” Sparks said. “That's something that has kept me actively engaged for all these years.”
Sparks has proven to be a valuable mentor to SOA students who have followed in his footsteps at Auburn, helping more than 300 students over the years to kickstart their careers.
His advice to other alums: “Make time to come back to Auburn and keep the relationships that you established while you were here. You have learned so much, but have so much more to experience.
“Always be open to new opportunities and always take the time to listen first. And don't forget to give back to Auburn in whatever way your time and talents allow.”
And, he says, treasure the memories.
“I met my wife as a student here and we now have a sophomore of our own who's at Auburn. I remember always enjoying the campus environment and walking from the house we lived in across campus to class,” he said. “I certainly remember plenty of game days, tons of social events and activities; and really just the special friendships and experiences made during those college days.”
Sparks met his wife, Anne, at Auburn and they married in 2000. They have four children: Palmer, an Auburn sophomore; 12th-grader Ethan; and 10th-grade twins Campbell and Tate. His parents are Terry Sparks Sr. (‘62) and Jane Sparks.
It is with the continued support of alumni and friends that the School of Accountancy is able to succeed. Without the generosity of donors, many accounting students wouldn’t be able to fund their education. It is through these gifts that we are able to increase diversity and accessibility within the accounting world. By sponsoring initiatives like the National Associate of Black Accountants, Tiger$ense, and Beta Alpha Psi’s CPA Day, our donors ensure that financial literacy is available to everyone.
AFLAC, INC. ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Ben Atchley Valley Head, AL Riley McIntyre Vestavia Hills, AL
Dick Ingwersen realized a long time ago that selfless sacrifice and hard work can lead to success. He learned much about that from legendary Auburn football coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan when he played defensive end/tight end for Auburn in the late 1960s.
Perhaps his best stat line, however, has nothing to do with football statistics. Ingwersen continues to prove time and again that “paying it forward” is a major part of building a good team, and his favorite team remains Auburn University.
Ingwersen, a 1970 graduate with a degree in business administration and a juris doctor degree from Emory University Law School, is the founder of an Atlantabased CPA firm and co-founder of a law firm. His list of contributions to Auburn, meanwhile, continues to grow, and Ingwersen sees that as somewhat of a duty that others should serve as well.
“I have always thought it was important to give back to places you have been which contributed to the person and professional you are,” he said.
“I came to Auburn on a football scholarship. I chose Auburn because I was impressed with the school as well as the football program,” the Mississippi native said. “I was interested in business, and accounting was part of that. In law school at Emory University, I concentrated in tax law and went to work with an international accounting firm. My accounting background was very helpful.”
Ingwersen received the Auburn School of Accountancy’s 2008 Outstanding Alumnus award, and in 2019 the Auburn Alumni Association recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He gave the commencement speech for the summer 2019 graduating class; and more recently at the 2022 basketball game against Texas A&M, he was honored pregame on the court for his many years of involvement and financial support to the school.
“I want the School of Accountancy and Auburn University to be the best it can be. Part of being the best is to have the support of its graduates,” he said. “I have always been disappointed in the amount of endowments that we have compared to other schools, particularly the SEC schools.”
“Auburn needs to be much higher in the endowment rankings than it is now. Because of those feelings, I have established endowed scholarships for students and faculty.”
“Graduates from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn go into the work world well prepared and with many benefits,” he said, and “the greater the reputation of the school, the better it reflects on the graduates.”
Ingwersen wants to see the university, Harbert College of Business, and School of Accountancy continue to grow, and says his desire comes from the heart.
“My involvement at Auburn has been satisfying,” he said.
“My relationships with students, faculty, administrative and development people have been rewarding.
“I believe in the Auburn Creed and love It!”
ALDRIDGE, BORDEN & COMPANY, P.C. ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP Lee Sahlie Montgomery, AL
APRIO ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP Huy Vu Madison, AL
ASCPA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Daniel Blessing Auburn, AL
ASCPA, KASSOUF & COMPANY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Ryan Lambert Auburn, AL
ASCPA EAST ALABAMA CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP Jackie Venable Vestavia Hills, AL
ALABAMA SOCIETY OF CPAS ACCOUNTING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Alex Wang Auburn, AL
KEN AND MISSY BAGGETT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING
Nicole Hamblet Georgetown,TX
BMSS. LLC ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP Erin Casolero Fairhope, AL
BENNETT THRASHER, LLP ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Catherine Grace Couch Mountain Brook, AL
R. BERNARD BLANKENSHIP SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTANCY
Harper Fuller Cleveland, TN
BORLAND BENEFIELD, P.C. ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Carley Hood Trussville AL
GREG BURGESS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTANCY
Nora Burns Orrville AL
COHNREZNICK, LLP ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Macy McClinton Hoover AL
DELOITTE, LLP ENDOWED ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Elizabeth Grace Imhoff Twinsburg OH
Jacqueline Lewis Roswell GA Maggie Finn Saline MI
HEATHER AND TAYLOR DOOLEY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP
Maddie Waldrop Gadsden AL
ERNST & YOUNG, LLP FELLOWSHIP
Caroline Ozgun Hoover AL
JT Paul Brentwood TN
ERNST & YOUNG, LLP ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Nicole Hogue Charlotte NC
Myra Reiss Brewton AL
Josh Hall Homewood AL
Jonathan Hand Birmingham AL
Allison Richards Alpharetta GA
Hayden McDonald Mountain Brook AL
LAVERNE TAYLOR FLANAGAN ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Emily McDonough Roswell GA
AMANDA AND JEFF FOSTER ENDOWED FFE
Alex Wang Auburn AL Taylor Neff Suwanee GA
FRAZIER & DEETER, LLC ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Karlie Hughes Montgomery AL
FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS OF ACCOUNTANCY
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Makenzie Warnick Northport AL
GRANT HOBDY HAYGOOD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Matthew Carroll Opelika AL
Katie Atchison Alabaster AL
DICK AND TERRY INGWERSEN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Grant Fielding Chelsea AL Elizabeth Perrone Nashville TN
JACKSON THORNTON ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Keeley Leisure Alexander City AL
JOHN P. JONES ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN THE SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY
Kayla Collins Harvest AL
Cole Dewberry Eufaula AL
L. PAUL KASSOUF & COMPANY, P.C. ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Justin Macks Randolph AL
KPMG, LLP ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Fischer Hawkins Birmingham AL
William Schaffeld Birmingham AL
MACHEN MCCHESNEY, LLP ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP IN THE SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY
Ragan Floyd Smiths Station AL
MAULDIN & JENKINS, LLC ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Mary Johnson Montgomery AL
PHILIP MARSHALL MCELROY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Madeleine Yates Vestavia Hills AL
METCALF DAVIS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Blake Burkhalter Dothan AL
C.G. MILLS ENDOWMENT FOR INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY
Amy Hall Tampa FL
C.G. MILLS ENDOWMENT FOR INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY MONTGOMERY Lee Todd Wilsonville OR
WILLIAM J. NETTLES ENDOWED MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Hannah Williams Hoover AL
We proudly welcome the following individuals to the SOA Advisory Council. Their professional experiences and devotion to Auburn will undoubtedly add value as we strive to achieve our mission of being a preeminent School of Accountancy.
ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Clare Promer Birmingham AL
MELBA C. PEEBLES ACCOUNTING
SCHOLARSHIP
Kristina Karstensen Tinley Park IL
Jackson Clancy Dublin GA
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP
FELLOWSHIP
Ashley Thomas Fairhope AL
Katherine Votaw Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Mary Frances Brown Demopolis AL
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Maggie Mince Vestavia Hills AL
Phillip Bethea Birmingham AL
Mason Alford Richardson TX
Jacqui Barnes Auburn AL
Mitchell McFeely Hampton Cove AL
Katharine Mandy Alabaster AL
Maggie Knighton Hoover AL
Maizie Summersell Mobile AL
ALBERT AND MARILYN REBACK SCHOLARSHIP
Lauren Hawley Marietta GA
RICK AND KIM READ ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Sam Ferguson Columbiana AL
JERRY LEWIS SAVAGE MEMORIAL ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Janiah Fryer Louisville AL
RSM US, LLP ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Makenzie Moulton Dothan AL
Benjamin Stocks Hoover AL
SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY ADVISORY COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP
Jack Wyatt Springville AL
SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY FACULTY AND STAFF SCHOLARSHIP
Jacob Flaskamp The Woodlands TX
SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY FACULTY AND STAFF SCHOLARSHIP
Tyler Der Somerville AL
Seth Maschmeier Suwanee GA
Taylor Parks Vestavia Hills AL
Alex Forrest Madison AL
THOMAS W. AND PATRICIA M. TRIPP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Callie Smith Marietta GA
WARREN AVERETT, LLC ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Caleb Jensen Huntsville AL
Savannah Street Fairhope AL
Walter Morris Mountain Brook AL
Will Levant Vestavia Hills AL
ELTON & JANET WOLF ENDOWED
SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING
Mattie Helms Nashville TN
ASSOCIATE OFFICER, FIXED INCOME ANALYTICS AND RISK, ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
Catherine is an Investment Management professional at AllianceBernstein in Nashville, Tennessee in the Fixed Income group, where she works with quantitative analysts and portfolio managers to continue to optimize the investment management process and ensure analytics service levels are maintained and continuously improved. She currently serves as a Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee Board Member where she serves in capacity on the Finance Committee. She also serves as a Young Leaders Council Board Member, a nonprofit whose mission is strengthening Nashville's volunteer leadership base through a training program for young professionals that addresses fundamental board skills. Catherine also serves on Auburn University's School of Accountancy Advisory Council. Catherine also serves as the New Membership Chair for the Junior League of Nashville, a nonprofit with the mission of equipping and training women volunteers in the Nashville area.
SHAREHOLDER, MCDERMOTT AND SMITH PC
Nathan is a shareholder for McDermott and Smith PC in Mobile, AL. He has twelve years of experience in public accounting primarily serving small private companies in Mobile and Baldwin county. Nathan graduated from Auburn with a BSBA in Accountancy in 2008, where he had been President of Beta Alpha Psi and on the leadership team with the Auburn Wesley Foundation. After finish at Auburn, Nathan took a job with Waite, Strange & Hill CPAs, the predecessor firm to McDermott & Smith PC where he became partner in in 2015. In 2020, the firm merged with fellow Auburn graduate Edward G McDermott to form McDermott & Smith PC. Nathan, his wife and three children reside in Mobile, AL
Each year, the firms listed below make graduate school possible for outstanding students. These firms finance graduate assistantship positions, which provide a twelve-month stipend in addition to a full-tuition waiver. The financial benefit ranges from $33,000 for in-state students to $59,000 for out-of-state students. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of these firms for helping the School of Accountancy attract exceptional students to the Master of Accountancy program.
Alex Wang, Auburn, AL 2021-2022 PwC Fellow
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
JT Paul, Brentwood, TN 2021-2022 EY Fellow
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
MANAGER OF FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, RXBENEFITS, INC.
Brett graduated from Auburn University in 2016 with a BS in Accountancy and from the University of Alabama in 2017 with a Master of Accountancy degree. He began his professional career as an Audit Associate in Birmingham, Alabama for Warren Averett. In February 2021, Brett was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal and received the NextGenBHM: Accounting award, which highlights up-and-coming accountants under the age of 35 who are already making their mark on Birmingham’s accounting scene. Brett also serves as a Board Member for the Phoenix Club of Birmingham, a non-profit which raises money for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama, and sits on the Young CPA Cabinet of the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Megan Lansden, who earned her bachelor's degree at Auburn in 2004 and a master’s degree in accountancy in 2006, today works in Birmingham as a partner with Ernst & Young and serves as the first female president of the School of Accountancy Advisory Council.
“It's a great honor to be nominated for the role and voted in by my fellow council members,” she said. “I'm extremely fortunate to have had strong professional mentors and sponsors – both male and female – throughout my career, and I've truly never felt limited in any way by my gender.
“Hopefully I'm one more example for women starting or continuing a career in accounting to show that there is a seat for them at the leadership table,” she said, “and our businesses, universities, and civic organizations need their voices.”
Lansden remembers well how she got her start at Auburn:
“There are no Auburn alums in my family, but I grew up outside of Birmingham where you're asked to choose Auburn or Alabama from the time you start kindergarten. A couple of childhood best friends were Auburn families, so I chose Auburn. My first visit to campus was for the 1996 Auburn-Georgia game, and I was hooked! I didn't even apply anywhere else.
“I didn't know anything about accounting and was planning on a general business degree. I took BUSI 1010, and Amy Murphy presented for accounting. She talked of all the career opportunities an accounting degree affords you and noted that almost all Auburn accounting majors graduate with a job offer in hand.
“I was sold!”
Lori Arthurs
Senior Associate AD/CFO
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Anthony Banks Senior Tax Manager
DELOITTE LLP
Lamar Barnett VP, US Internal Audit
AFLAC, INC.
Steve Barranco Member
WARREN AVERETT, LLC
Wes Brown Director KASSOUF & CO., P.C. Mallory Burks Audit Manager KPMG LLP
Matt Cessna Merchant
THE HOME DEPOT
David Chandler Partner
ALDRIDGE, BORDEN & COMPANY, P.C.
Lee Corte Partner
DELOITTE LLP
Chad Downey Vice President, Treasury and Internal Audit
GUARDIAN PHARMACY LLC
Brett Dudney Partner
DIXON HUGHES GOODMAN LLP
Jennie Duvall Managin Director
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Emily Farrell Director
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Chuck Freeman Partner RSM US LLP
Brad Garland Partner
BRAND, BLACKWELL, & COMPANY LLP
Mike Geeslin Manager
GEESLIN GROUP LLC Will Geeslin Certified Public Accountant GEESLIN GROUP LLP Clinton Gilmore Partner
ROBINSON, GRIMES, & COMPANY, P.C. Douglas Grant Partner
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Laura Hanks Senior Manager BMSS, LLC
Steve Harrison Partner DELOITTE LLP Greg Henderson President & CEO
SOUTHEAST ALABAMA GAS DISTRICT Greg Heston Partner
ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Ryan Inlow Partner in Charge MAULDIN & JENKINS, LLC Will Jones Principal JACKSON THORNTON
The SOA Advisory Council represents alumni and friends who give of their time and financial resources to support the School of Accountancy in countless ways.
Ric Kimball
Principal KPMG LLP - ATLANTA
Richard King Director of Charitable Giving
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Michael Lange Partner
APRIO, LLP
Megan Lansden Partner
ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Ben Leaver Vice President of Finance ROBINS & MORTON
Harrison Lewis Senior Manager
ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Jonathan Mayer Managing Director, Tax KPMG LLP
Brian McNeely Partner
REAGAN CONSULTING
Robert Miller Partner
CARR RIGGS AND INGRAM LLC
Ryan Mills Partner COHNREZNICK LLP
Glenn Mitchell Managing Partner
ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Jerry Moore Treasurer & Controller
ALTEC INDUSTRIES
Christopher Munday Senior Manager DELOITTE, LLP
Rachel Newcomb Senior Manager
DELOITTE LLP
Jamey Ramsey Managing Director - Tax MEDICAL PROPERTIES TRUST
Jay Robbins III Partner
AGL CPA GROUP
DeWayne Searcy
CIO and VP, Sales Administration
COWIN EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
Nathan Smith Shareholder MCDERMOTT & SMITH, PC Terry Sparks Birmingham Managing Partner PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Scott Stewart Partner
RSM US LLP Catherine Street Manager
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Brooke Walker Director
CHICK-FIL-A, INC. (CORPORATE)
Brett Walton Supervisor RSM US LLP Kevin Wang Director of Innovation
WARREN AVERETT
Jessica Weissinger Chief Operating Officer
FRAZIER & DEETER, LLC
Help the SOA award annual scholarships to well-deserving students for both need and merit-based awards.
The School of Accountancy is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse student body. Future initiatives may include, but are not limited to: recruiting events, meals, student travel, etc.
Support experiential learning opportunities for accounting undergraduate students. Future plans include week-long spring semester trips and month-long summer semester trips.
TIGER$ENSE provides our students with a service-learning opportunity where they can teach surrounding area middle and high school students about financial responsibility. Scan
