ACCOUNTING INFORMATION&SYSTEMS VILLANOVA SCHOOL
1A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022
MESSAGE FROM
This edition of the newsletter highlights several events that took place this past year. We successfully renewed our accreditation from AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which occurs every five years. Villanova University is one of just a few schools who maintain this specialized accreditation in both business and accounting. We began a formal degree program in taxation, the Master of Business Taxation, that prepares students pursuing a career in taxation by integrating data, analytics, technology and quantitative modeling into a robust tax curriculum. Management Information Systems (MIS) celebrated a significant milestone: 25 years as a major at VSB. MIS faculty continue to develop curriculum and programs that emphasize the role of technology in business, most recently with the introduction of the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) programs. We welcomed two new faculty members to the department this year: Yiwen Li, PhD, and Saad Siddiqui, PhD. A third, Laura Iacona ’96 VSB, became a full-time faculty member. Two existing faculty members, Lucy Chen, PhD, and Denise Downey, PhD, were awarded with endowed professorships. In addition, Steve Andriole, PhD; Janice Sipior, PhD; Noah Barsky, PhD; and Jim Bierstaker, PhD, were the recipients of faculty awards, and Steve Liedtka, PhD, was recognized with the Lindback Award, the most prestigious teaching award at Villanova University. We also said farewell to three beloved colleagues who retired since the last newsletter: Domenic Finelli; Tim Monahan, PhD, and Bob West, PhD. There is much more in this newsletter, including our student and faculty spotlights, increased engagement with our student groups, and continued outreach to our alums. Finally, we look ahead to a major event on the horizon: Villanova School of Business is turning 100! Celebrations for the 100th Anniversary of VSB kick off in August 2022 and will continue throughout the year. Thank you all for your support. If you have any questions, thoughts or comments, please contact me.
Best regards, Michael F. Peters, PhD Chair, Department of Accounting & Information Systems Alvin A. Clay Endowed Professor of Accounting Villanova School of Business THE CHAIR OF BUSINESS
2A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL UNDERGRADUATE2022
ACCOUNTING*
PLACEMENT INFORMATION OtherGraduateTaxFinanceTaxCorporateAdvising/ConsultingAdvising/ConsultingAuditAuditFinanceSchoolPLACEMENTACCOUNTINGGRADUATEPLACEMENTACCOUNTINGUNDERGRADUATE20222022
GRADUATE ACCOUNTING
* MIS UNDERGRADUATE PLACEMENT
Our graduate accounting students in the Master of Accounting program also achieved 100% placement results by graduation. There were 22 students who graduated in our Master of Accounting program in May 2022 (excluding our program in conjunction with KPMG, in which all these students were placed at KPMG). As noted above, the department continues to receive requests to hire more of our graduate students.
There were 31 students that graduated with an MIS major in May 2022. At the time of this writing, the placement results for the MIS majors were not available. However, based on what we know, we expect these results to be in line with prior years—specifically, a very high placement rate by graduation and most being placed in advising positions, especially in the advising areas of international accounting firms and consulting destinations.
Accounting majors at Villanova had another great year, with 100% of students placed by the date of graduation.
47% 20% 13%7% 6% 4% 3% 55% 28% 17%
There were 108 undergraduate accounting students that graduated in May 2022. Even as all students were placed, the department continues to get queries from accounting firms and corporations about hiring more students. Like past years, it continues to be a strong job market for accounting professionals. The below chart shows the undergraduate placement results broken down by career path.
Dr. Chen joined VSB as an assistant professor in 2011 and earned tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2016. Recognized as an expert in the international and financial accounting field, she has published more than a dozen articles in leading academic journals and has received national recognition as well as several awards for her research.
PROFESSOR LUCY CHEN, PHD, HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE NEW JOHN M. COONEY ENDOWED PROFESSOR IN ACCOUNTING
NEW ENDOWED POSITIONS IN THE ACCOUNTING & INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
PROFESSOR DENISE HANES DOWNEY, PHD, CPA ’05 VSB, ’08 MAC APPOINTED AS THE FIRST HOLDER OF THE NEW KPMG ENDOWED PROFESSOR IN ACCOUNTING
During her tenure at Villanova, she has taught Auditing at the undergraduate level as well as in our MAC program. Her courses feature experiential learning modules; data, analytics and technology; and activities requiring students to engage with real-world, publicly available financial information.
OF BUSINESS APPOINTS TWO
Her pedagogical innovations have been published in top educational journals and have been recognized with two national awards for teaching. In 2021, she was awarded the VSB McDonough Family Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and research. Dr. Downey says, “Teaching is an integral part of the Villanova identity and being a true teacher-scholar is of great personal importance. I consider it my ethical responsibility to equip our students with cutting-edge skills and to work with them to ensure their education is sufficiently tailored to their needs and objectives.”
In addition to her professional service assignments, she currently serves on the AICPA’s CPA Exam Team for Auditing & Attestation and the Center for Audit Quality’s Accounting Academic Sound Board. At Villanova, she has been involved in multiple ways, including the capital campaign, Campus Ministry, the Athletic Advisory Committee and in other areas including DEI initiatives.
Dr. Chen teaches Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting and Fraud in our Master of Accounting (MAC) program and Managerial Accounting to our undergraduates. She spearheaded our recent “Accounting in Excel” course and has also been recognized for her outstanding teaching. In 2017, she was awarded the McDonough Family Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and research. Finally, she is very active in the department, which includes serving as the faculty advisor for the Villanova chapter of ASCEND, the largest Pan-Asian organization for business professionals in the US.
Dr. Chen remarks, “I am very excited and truly humbled by this great opportunity to serve as the new John M. Cooney Endowed Professor in Accounting. I look forward to many more years of making a positive contribution to VSB.”
VILLANOVA2022SCHOOL
“The upward trajectory of my research would not have been possible without the support of the A&IS department and VSB,” Dr. Downey continues. “It is an honor to serve my alma mater as the new KPMG Endowed Professor in Accounting and I look forward to advancing the scholarly reputation of Villanova.”
FACULTY NEWS
Dr. Downey joined VSB as an assistant professor in 2013. She received her PhD from Bentley University and previously worked as an auditor for PwC. She’s published in top-tier journals in the field and produces high-quality research that is both relevant and timely.
3A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL
JULIUS GREEN AWARDED CFO OF THE YEAR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2022 FACULTY AWARD RECIPIENTS
The VERITAS Faculty Research Award in support of scholarly research that takes inspiration from and/or reflects the values of Villanova University’s Catholic and Augustinian heritage
STEVE LIEDTKA, Ph D, CPA Associate Professor, Accounting & Information Systems
JANICE SIPIOR, Ph D Professor, Accounting & Information Systems
STEVE ANDRIOLE, Ph D Thomas G. Labrecque Endowed Chair in Business
The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching
JIM BIERSTAKER, Ph D Professor, Accounting & Information Systems External Engagement Award for engagement with stakeholders through research; teaching, and the VSB Business Ethics Case Competition, which he oversees.
The department congratulates Green and thanks him for his many contributions to VSB, the department and our students!
The McDonough Family Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and research Sipior is a scholar on ethical and legal aspects of information technology, systems development, and knowledge management and the digital divide.
4A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022
NOAH BARSKY, Ph D, CPA, CMA Associate AccountingProfessor,&Information Systems Research to Practice Award for efforts that bridge research and practice Barsky is a contributor to various journals and a frequent keynote speaker and panelist on contemporary issues. He writes a column for Forbes.
This award is the most prestigious teaching award given to full-time faculty members at Villanova University; there is one award winner per year in recognition of outstanding undergraduate teaching. Dr. Liedtka joins a who’s who of accounting professors who previously received this award, including Dan O’Mara, Jim Emig, Tim Monahan, Bob Derstine, Gerry Dougherty and Alvin Clay.
Accounting business fellow Julius Green, CPA (inactive), JD, MBA, was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal with the 2021 CFO of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. Green’s career spanned four decades, including positions as a tax accountant at Coopers & Lybrand, EY, and Baker Tilly. He also served as president of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs and prior to that served as the chair of its Diversity Committee. Throughout his career, Green sought to advance diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, driving exposure of professional opportunities in accounting to those in underrepresented groups. Shortly after retiring, Green joined the department as a business fellow to help the department and school build upon its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. He has also been teaching in our MAC program.
5A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022
Dr. Altamuro spent the first 25 years of her life in the Philadelphia area, attending the Academy of Notre Dame for high school and graduating from St. Joseph’s University (The Hawk Will Never Die!). After starting her professional accounting career with PwC in the Philadelphia office, she entered the PhD program at Penn State University, soon discovering that State College was not the “far-western” Philadelphia suburb she had imagined. Dr. Altamuro always sought to return to her roots, and when the opportunity to join the faculty at Villanova came, she was more than ready.
JENNIFER L.M. ALTAMURO, PHD WILLIAM WAGNER, PHD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING & INFORMATION SYSTEMS
FACULTY DIRECTOR, MASTER OF ACCOUNTING PROGRAM ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ASSOCIATE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING & INFORMATION SYSTEMS
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Villanova has become a home for Dr. Altamuro. She collaborates on research projects related to emerging accounting issues with her Accounting Department colleagues. She truly enjoys teaching in the undergraduate program and helping future accounting professionals gain the technical accounting skills they need to start their careers from a position of strength. As faculty director of the Master of Accounting program, Dr. Altamuro helps create a home for our graduate students, a place where they can learn, collaborate and explore the many opportunities associated with a career in accounting. Dr. Altamuro also serves on many VSB and University-level committees, working with other faculty and administrators to create a community that exemplifies Villanova’s Augustinian values.
When not “at home” in her office in Bartley Hall, Dr. Altamuro enjoys being home in Glen Mills with her husband and twin teenagers—baking bread, watching movies and sitting around the fire pit making s’mores.
Dr. Wagner (known as “Dr. Bill” to his students) has been a professor of Management Information Systems (MIS) at Villanova University since 1991. After 30 years at Villanova, he earned the promotion to professor effective fall of 2022. While at Villanova, Dr. Wagner has co-authored four books and more than 35 journal articles in various IT-related fields. In 2019, he co-authored the first college textbook on blockchain, which is currently being used by over 25 schools and universities around the world. He has developed and taught over 30 MIS classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas such as enterprise systems, big data, mobile application development, applied AI and blockchain. In 2004 he was identified as an “industry thought leader” by SAP. More recently, he was the recipient of the Daniel J. O’Mara Villanova School of Business Faculty Award (2018); the Meyer Innovation and Creative Excellence Award (2011); and was a co-winner of the 2011 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers’ Award for Excellence. Dr. Wagner is also a founding member of the Center for Business Analytics and the Master of Science in Church Management program. In 2019, he helped launch the Tomorrow Fund, one of the first investment funds to focus on Web 3.0 startups.
Dr. Altamuro joined the faculty of the Accounting & Information Systems department in the fall of 2014. Prior to joining VSB, she served on the faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Ohio State University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. While each of those previous appointments brought opportunities to work with bright students and collaborate with outstanding researchers, joining the VSB faculty and becoming a tenured associate professor represented a homecoming, in many senses of the word.
NEW FACULTY
Professor Iacona initially joined VSB as an adjunct in 2016 and a business fellow a few years later. Previously to Villanova, she worked as an audit partner and an audit practice leader at Grant Thornton LLP. She earned her BS in Accounting at Villanova University and her MBA at La Salle University. Professor Iacona has taught Audit, Financial Accounting and Intermediate Accounting at Villanova. In addition, she currently serves as a faculty mentor as well as a faculty advisor for the Accounting Society. Professor Iacona has been an outstanding teacher across all her classes and has done a great job of bridging her classroom and professional experiences. We are very grateful that she is now teaching our students on a full-time basis.
Joining VSB from Texas A&M University, Dr. Li is an assistant professor in the Accounting & Information Systems Department who joined the faculty in fall of 2021. She earned her BA from the Shanghai University in Finance and Economics, her MS in Accounting from the University of Rochester, and her PhD in Accounting from Texas A&M University. She teaches Financial Accounting to freshman students and has gotten off to a great start in the classroom; her research focuses on analyst forecasts as they relate to financial reporting and firm value. She brings a positive attitude and tremendous passion to Bartley Hall, and we’re honored to have her as one of our own.
Dr. Siddiqui joins VSB as an assistant professor of the practice. Previously, he was an associate director of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Washington, D.C., where he was also an adjunct at George Washington University. He earned a BS and a master’s, both in Accounting, from the University of South Alabama and his PhD in Accounting from the University of Memphis. Dr. Siddiqui began in fall of 2021 and has already made a strong impression on our students as he weaves into the classroom his experience from practice and the regulatory space. He has also become an integral part of the department with his research and his overall presence at our gatherings and seminars. We are excited that he is now part of our faculty. MEMBERS
LAURA IACONA ’ 96 VSB NOW AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE SAAD SIDDIQUI, PHD YIWEN LI, PHD
6A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022
We are very fortunate to have such outstanding faculty. Our success today has been a result of the foundation built by so many great faculty over the years. On May 1, we held a dinner in honor of our latest group of retirees to thank them for their service and selfless commitment to our students, the department and the College.
FACULTY RETIREMENTS
Bob West retired after 28 years as a faculty member in the department. Dr. West joined the VSB faculty in 1994 and has taught multiple courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the MBA, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Accounting, Master of Business Taxation, Church Management and Executive MBA. He was twice awarded the EMBA Teaching Excellence Award and was a finalist for the Lindback Award. He brought course content to life through writing cutting-edge cases and pedagogical materials.
THOMAS MONAHAN, Ph D Thomas F. “Tim” Monahan concluded his distinguished career at Villanova as the John M. Cooney Endowed Professor of Accounting. Dr. Monahan has been a prized member of the VSB community since 1981. During his 40 years at VSB, he was a teacher, mentor, administrator and founder. He served as dean from 1996 to 2003, setting the foundation for the great success and accomplishments VSB has achieved over the past two decades. He developed and launched the Executive MBA program at VSB as well as the Accounting Advisory Council. In 2014, he earned the prestigious title of dean emeritus of the Villanova School of Business, and he received many awards during his time at Villanova, including the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching. Dr. Monahan was an agent of change and acted to make individuals and organizations better by anticipating these changes with the goal of advancing Villanova’s mission, which includes student learning and preparation. The value he created continues to benefit the department and VSB, as it will for many years to come. We offer our special thanks to Dr. Monahan for everything he brought to us as an educator, academic, mentor and colleague over his four decades at Villanova.
Beyond the classroom, he delivered presentations, lectures and webinars to benefit and educate Catholic parishes and served as a Pre-Cana instructor. We thank Dr. West for being a source of learning and comfort to our students in addition to being such a great colleague.
DOMENIC FINELLI Domenic Finelli retired in 2021 after nearly a decade at VSB as an adjunct faculty in accounting. In 2019, Finelli was recognized with the William J. O’Neill Award for Undergraduate/ Graduate Teaching Excellence as the most outstanding adjunct teacher at VSB. Prior to VSB, Finelli spent 39 years at PwC and upon his retirement as a partner, began the first internal audit department and taught at St. Joseph’s University, which is his alma mater. Our thanks to Domenic Finelli for all his efforts on behalf of our students and the department!
7A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022
ROBERT WEST, Ph D, CPA
INFORMATIONEXCELLENCEMEDALLIONINMANAGEMENTSYSTEMS
JOHN FIORAVANTE ’22 VSB PICPA OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD
MINH TO ’22 VSB BARTLEY
Minh To is the 2022 recipient of the Bartley Medallion in Management Information Systems (MIS), in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in MIS. To was a double major in MIS and Applied Quantitative Finance. He has demonstrated his excellence through academic pursuits, employment and on-campus activities. Academically, To’s team placed first in the Villanova M&A Society case competition. He worked as an intern with Mondrian Investment Partners, Encephalo Investments and Nomura Securities. Additionally, he was also senior analyst for the Drew O’Donoghue Healthcare Fund. On campus, To served as VP of Events & Marketing for the Google Developer Student Club and VP of Events for the Villanova M&A Society. We thank To for all of his efforts on behalf of Villanova University and wish him the best in the next stage of his career.
John Fioravante was awarded the 2022 PICPA Outstanding Senior Award. Fioravente will begin as an auditor at KPMG. He was previously an audit intern at KPMG and a senior representative at Primerica. Fioravente volunteered significant time at the Golden Gate Rehabilitation and Health Center as well as Where to Turn, an organization that helps to clean up neighborhoods. Each day, Fioravente brings his best to whatever he is doing and, along with his strong work ethic and sense of community, has enjoyed a highly successful career at Villanova. We thank him for his years at Villanova and offer our congratulations on this award.
STUDENT NEWS 2022 UNDERGRADUATE
had the opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland; held two international internships and two domestic accounting internships; has been extensively involved in service organizations and an active member in many business societies on campus; and was named a producer for the Villanova Social Justice documentary. Cowen credits the skills and lessons she has learned in her accounting classes and through interacting with Accounting department faculty and mentors as the catapult for her success at Villanova. It was through the Villanova Department of Accounting that Cowen learned accounting is not just a straight and narrow career path; rather, it is a diving board into a pool full of endless opportunities. She truly believes accounting and the Accounting department are the reasons Villanova has become her home. Cowen is looking forward to starting her career with PwC in Boston in the fall.
ANNIE COWEN ’22 VSB BARTLEY MEDALLION RECIPIENT EXCELLENCE IN ACCOUNTING When first arriving at Villanova University, never in a million years would Annie Cowen have thought she would graduate as an Accounting major. Her first introduction to accounting was in her freshman year Financial Accounting class, and her interest in the field grew over her time at Villanova. The Villanova Accounting Society expanded her love for accounting—in the role of president of the Society, Cowen was able to dive deeper into the discipline and build relationships with those who shared similar passions. Accounting (both the profession and the department at Villanova) has given Cowen the platform to experience a wide variety of opportunities over the past four years. She has been blessed to be a VSB Global Leaders Fellow;
STUDENT AWARDS
8A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022
THE MASTER’S LEVEL
9A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022 TRANG NGUYEN ’23 VSB PHILADELPHIA PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (PHISM) STUDENT AWARD Trang Nguyen is the 2022 Philadelphia Philanthropic Society for Information Management (PHISIM) award recipient. SIM is the premier society that brings together IT leaders to share, network and give back to their communities; PHISIM is an arm of SIM. Trang is a double major in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics and minors in AI/Machine Learning as well as Peace and Justice. She placed first in both the 2021 CarMax Analytics Showcase Competition and the 2021 Nielsen IQ Case Competition. She worked as an intern in the Public Affairs Department of IPSOS in Singapore and served in the Dean's Undergraduate Student Advisory Council and Special Olympics. In the future, Trang “ultimately wants to pay it forward to Villanova’s MIS program and encourage ambitious MIS students to also excel in this field!” 2022 GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
Upon graduation, Teahan will begin her career working for KPMG as an audit associate.
Zachary Micklin’s peers voted him the winner of the 2022 MAC Student Champion Award. This award is given to a student who embraced all that Villanova had to offer, who the cohort looked up to, and who was always willing to go above and beyond. Micklin attended undergrad at the University of Alabama and earned a degree in Finance. He decided to transition into accounting, which led him to Villanova’s MAC program.
When asked how the MAC program prepared him for his career, Micklin shared, “The MAC program taught me how to effectively analyze a company’s financial performance, as well as their reliability in financial reporting. This knowledge will allow me to successfully evaluate the risks and economic circumstances of companies while working in the audit practice. In addition, the MAC program incorporated a substantial amount of different analytic tools that accounting professionals use in their analysis of big data. Whether you are unfamiliar with the software packages demonstrated or have an advanced skill set with them, the MAC program will ensure that you receive the knowledge needed to succeed in the modern work environment.”
In addition to her coursework, Teahan participated in the VSB Fellowship Program, where she aided Dr. Danielle Lombardi in her research. A Blue Key tour guide, VSB ambassador and Honors ambassador as an undergraduate, Teahan was fortunate enough to be able to continue to represent the university as a graduate student by participating on panels and meeting prospective VSB graduate students. She credits VSB alumni with helping her on her academic and professional journey and looks forward to joining Villanova’s alumni network and paying it forward to the students that follow.
FIONA TEAHAN ’21 VSB, ’22 BARTLEYMACMEDALLION RECIPIENT EXCELLENCE IN ACCOUNTING AT
ZACHARY MICKLIN ’22 MAC MAC STUDENT CHAMPION
Micklin will be a member of Deloitte’s audit practice, working in the Philadelphia office.
Fiona Teahan began her undergraduate degree in the fall of 2018 and graduated in May of 2021 with majors in Accounting and Honors and completed her Master of Accounting in May 2022. For Teahan, the MAC program’s emphasis on technology that was introduced in the undergraduate program bolstered her confidence in those important skills. “We gained invaluable hands-on experience solving real-world problems. I can now leverage this proficiency, using it as the foundation for a successful career in an increasingly technology-driven world,” Teahan says.
On what made his MAC experience special, Micklin recalls, “The faculty did an excellent job in differentiating the program from my undergrad experience by incorporating group projects and case studies into the daily lessons. This was a fresh classroom style, deviating from the typical undergraduate lecture. Our cohort was a close-knit group that always lent a helping hand to one another when needed.”
10A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022 ELIZABETH LIEDTKA ’21 VSB, ’22 MAC FEDERATION SCHOOLS OF ACCOUNTANCY (FSA) STUDENT AWARD
Liedtka completed her undergraduate degree in three years, graduating in May 2021 with majors in Accounting and Data Analytics. She graduated with her Master of Accounting in May 2022. “The MAC program was an easy choice to help accelerate my career goals in terms of credits towards the CPA, technical hours towards other certifications, professional opportunities and more,” she says.
Elizabeth Liedtka is the 2022 recipient of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy (FSA) Award, which is given to a graduate student who demonstrates superior academic performance.
Due to the pandemic, we were unable to produce a newsletter for the 2020–21 academic year. Nevertheless, there were still many students that earned awards and scholarships, including the following: 2022 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS 2020–21 AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Annie Cowen ’22 VSB Pennsylvania CPA Foundation PICPA Academic Merit Scholarship Kristina Kuckailis ’24 VSB Jennifer L. Kane Endowed University Scholarship Natalie Persaud ’23 VSB Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Scholarship Amber Reynolds ’24 VSB The Philadelphia Chapter of the Tax Executives Institute (TEI) Scholarship Samantha Washburn ’21 VSB Bartley Medallion Recipient for Excellence in Accounting Fiona Teahan ’21 VSB, ’22 MAC PICPA Outstanding Senior Award Sarah Ohlinger ’21 VSB Bartley Medallion Recipient - Excellence in MIS Minh To ’22 VSB PHISIM Student Award Tara Hughes ’22 VSB SIM Future Leader Award Jake Rivera ’21 MAC Bartley Medallion Recipient — Excellence in Graduate Accounting Caroline Schultz ’21 MAC FSA Student Award Jessica T. Gonzalez ’21 MAC MAC Student Champion Award 2020–21 AWARDS 2020–21 SCHOLARSHIPS Franklin Peaker ’22 VSB PCAOB Scholarship Ashley Seymour ’23 VSB Jennifer L. Kane Endowed University Scholarship Meredith A. Jennings ’21 VSB The Philadelphia Chapter of the TEI Scholarship Annie Cowen ’22 VSB Pennsylvania CPA Foundation Merit Scholarship Amanda McNelis ’21 VSB Pennsylvania CPA Foundation Merit Scholarship of $2,000 Jessica T. Gonzalez ’21 MAC AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students
Liedtka will start her career with EY as a staff member in their Forensics and Integrity Service practice in Washington, D.C.
While pursuing her Master of Accounting, Liedtka tutored for the Executive MBA program, was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi business and accounting honor societies, and was on the rowing and equestrian teams.
CUTTING-EDGE MASTER’S PROGRAM IN TAXATION
The professional world of taxation is undergoing dramatic change. Robots and machines are eliminating the routine tasks typically encountered by first-year accounting tax professionals and being replaced by a need to work with data analytics, technology and quantitative applications in modeling. The VSB Master of Business Taxation with Data Analytics (MBT) program was designed to prepare students for these changes. The program was officially launched in 2020 with KPMG as part of our MAC but began as a separate degree program beginning in fall of 2021. The curriculum includes four core data analytics and technology courses that provide the students with the skills needed to work with data and interpret results for informed decision-making. In addition, it includes substantive tax courses in corporate and partnership taxation, mergers and acquisitions, international and state taxation, and tax research and ethics; each of the specialty tax classes integrate data analytics, technology and modeling into their learning modules. The program’s full-time graduate accounting and tax professors, together with current and retired tax partners and executives from the Big 4 and international firms, provide a learning environment that is rigorous, highly relevant and practical.
Men’s Basketball advancing to the Final Four. Go ‘Cats!
11A&IS NEWSLETTER FALL 2022 Sade Meeks was named Outstanding Field Performer at the 2022 BIG EAST Championships, the first Villanova thrower—men’s or women’s, indoors or outdoors —to earn the award at the conference championships. While becoming the school record holder in three events (Shot Put, Weight Throw, Hammer Throw) and BIG EAST Conference Shot Put champion and Weight Throw runner-up, she maintained a 3.8 GPA and completed her Master of Accounting in May 2022.
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO PURSUE YOUR MASTER OF ACCOUNTING DEGREE? I'm currently in the process of studying for CPA licensure and this degree will ultimately help me qualify for that licensure.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: My hometown is Long Island, NY. I earned my undergraduate degree in Accounting from Jacksonville University in Florida in May 2021. I will begin my professional career as a Tax associate at KPMG. WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE PROGRAM? I enjoyed meeting the students in the program that are in the same field. It's great to have people around you that are entering similar careers and have similar goals. The learning environment is great for making connections and building relationships.
HOW DID TECHNOLOGY FACTOR INTO THE PROGRAM?
MAC STUDENT SPOTLIGHT GRADUATE ACCOUNTING STUDENT EXCELS IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE TRACK QUICK QUESTIONS WITH SADE MEEKS ’22 MAC
The faculty in the MAC program were extremely supportive, understanding and flexible throughout the entire program. They showed willingness to help everyone both in and out of the classroom academically and professionally. ANY OTHER ASPECTS OF VILLANOVA THAT WERE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES?
Chair and Alvin A. Clay Professor of Accounting Mike Peters is excited about the MBT program: “The growth of big data and technology is changing the world of taxation in countless ways, and we recognize that our curriculum must keep pace. Our MBT program expands the traditional graduate tax approach by integrating data analytics and modeling into the curriculum, which better prepares our graduates for the ever-changing tax data flows and requirements in today’s global digital economy.”
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE WITH THE FACULTY?
OTHER NEWS VSB LAUNCHES
One of the reasons I chose Villanova's MAC was because of the data analytics components. Technology is shaping the world every day and accounting is no exception. The program is conducive to what the future profession will look like.
HIGHLIGHTS
THE QUANTUM FUTURE VU Women in Tech hosted its seventh annual conference on January 29, 2022. The keynote speaker was Special Agent Jessica Nye ’03 VSB. Nye shared her passion and journey from Villanova to the FBI and her experience working on cyber-related matters. Nye stated that finding MIS as a major was a “significant change in my life” and enabled her to “become passionate about computing and all that it could offer.” Nye recognized how she continues to try to leverage her Augustinian core values learned at Villanova and challenged the participants to “showcase your worth in technology” while considering the “inherent responsibility to make this world a better place.” All recorded conference sessions can be accessed from VUWomenInTech.org as you consider your quantum future!
MIS Faculty L-R: Prof. Bob Arakelian, Prof. Sue McFarland Metzger, Prof. Andreas Graesser, Dr. Wenhong Luo, Dr. Bill Wagner, Dr. Janice Sipior, Dr. Steve Andriole, Dr. Q Chung
After many months of planning and pandemic-related delays, the inaugural MIS Steering Committee meeting was held in November 2021 on the campus of Villanova University. The steering committee members are Michael Dokas ’11 CLAS from Deloitte; Bob Dowd ’10 VSB from EY; Balaji Gaddam from SAP; Dennis Green from Amazon Web Services; Gale Piccoli ’05 VSB from KPMG LLP; and Danielle Tanguay from Grant Thornton. This group represents accomplished professionals from companies that recruit from Villanova University. Each member has significant leadership experience overseeing data, systems and/or technology. The agenda covered several topics including a review of the current enrollment for the MIS major, MIS minor, and MIS Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) minor. The discussion focused on MIS as a field; curriculum; and potential changes to respond to developments in the field, student competencies and what professionals seek in our graduates. The MIS Steering Committee intends to meet on an annual basis in the fall, with the long-term goal of meeting twice per year. The Executive Board of the MIS Society joined the meeting, as well as faculty including professors Bob Arakelian ’74 CLAS and Keith Wright (both co-chairs); Professor Bill Wagner, associate chair, Accounting & Information Systems (MIS); and Mike Peters, chair, Accounting & Information Systems (MIS).
2022 WOMEN IN TECH CONFERENCE
Students who want to learn about cryptocurrencies, question the hype behind NFTs, or have a general curiosity about Web 3.0 and the future of blockchain will now have a place to call home. By popular demand, the MIS Group is sponsoring a new Crypto/Blockchain Club, where students will be provided with the resources and support necessary to thrive in the crypto and blockchain space.
Twenty-five years ago, Villanova School of Business announced its addition of a new major—Management Information Systems (MIS). Twenty-five year later, the department celebrated its students, the new minor in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML), and the faculty who over the years have continuously changed the curriculum and offerings to address the ever-evolving landscape. In February 2022, the department hosted an event in the LoBiondo Atrium in Bartley Hall to recognize the milestone, handing out mini birthday cakes, talking to students about MIS and the new AIML minor, and demonstrating the metaverse. Congratulations to the MIS faculty, alums and students for this great accomplishment of 25 successful years!
NEW MIS STEERING COMMITTEE
NEW CRYPTO/BLOCKCHAIN CLUB FORMING
The club started in spring of 2022, and more than 60 students from across the University have joined. The club is in the process of lining up speakers and planning a wide variety of educational opportunities for both newcomers and more advanced students.
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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
The Villanova University Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) had a successful third year on campus, with a number of events promoting its mission to provide students of color at VSB a space where they feel welcome and the resources to succeed in a corporate career. Along with on-campus visits from firms such as Deloitte, KPMG, CliftonLarsonAllen, Ernst & Young and Morgan Stanley, NABA hosted two events that were so successful they have been “promoted” to a higher status within the University. The NABA Back to School Cookout to welcome first-year VSB students will be run out of VSB’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI), and the Ignite Change Case Competition to educate students on the impact of the built environment on issues of social justice will be accessible to students from all majors, class years and colleges starting in the 2022–23 school year.
The University’s chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) is celebrating a successful year of providing networking and professional development opportunities for Latino students. During the academic year, ALPFA hosted companies including EY, PwC, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. Opportunities such as these contributed to more than 80% of ALPFA’s members securing internships for the summer of 2022! Additional events featured partnerships with other student groups on campus, most notably the Biannual Noche Latina with the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and ¡Levántate!, a spirituality-based student group, which aimed to bring this community closer together and promote cultural awareness. Alssy Polanco ’23 VSB, ALPFA president, states, "ALPFA Villanova is dedicated to connecting and empowering BIPOC students to have the tools necessary for becoming the leaders of tomorrow!"
Co-President Kamryn Rogers ’24 VSB says, “This year was all about getting new school-wide initiatives off the ground and educating underrepresented students about the variety of opportunities VSB has to offer. While we want our members to find a community within NABA, we also want them to venture out and explore opportunities that can prepare them for success beyond their time at Villanova.”
The department thanks student group advisors Lucy Chen, associate professor of Accounting; Julius Green, business fellow in Accounting; and Steve Liedtka, associate professor of Accounting, for all of their efforts to support these important programs.
Members of NABA 2021-2022 Executive Board L-R: Co-President Lyn Medearis former ‘24 VSB student, Treasurer Olajide Oladipo ’22 VSB, Co-President Kamryn Rogers ’24 VSB, Secretary Arianna Thompson ’24 VSB, Vice President Isaiah Taylor ’23 VSB.
STUDENT BUSINESS GROUPS THRIVE IN ENGAGEMENT
Ascend is the largest nonprofit Pan-Asian organization for business professionals in North America, committed to offering members strategic professional development programs and unparalleled access to key decision-makers and senior executives across a wide cross-section of Alongindustries.withworkshops, networking opportunities and a very popular Lunar New Year celebration, Ascend offers a mentorship program that includes both upperclassmen and professors as mentors. Membership & Mentorship co-chair Hunter Lee ’24 VSB explains, “I joined Ascend because I wanted to be part of something that’s going to make a change at VSB. Ascend has allowed Asian business students to have more representation here at VSB as well as provided a sense of community for me where I have been able to meet so many amazing people.”
OF UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS
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Patrick Connors ’22 VSB was an Accounting and Business Analytics co-major with a minor in Finance and will begin his career with Deloitte after graduation. He credits his decision to join Deloitte to his experiences with the firm during the Audit Innovation Campus Challenge (AICC) as part of the 2020 team. "Not only did I gain knowledge working on the case, but I came to know the firm and made many new connections."
CASE COMPETITION
VSB enjoyed another successful performance in the Deloitte Audit Innovation Case Competition (AICC). The team was overseen by Laura Iacona, assistant professor of practice, and Patricia Dorris-Crenny, CPA, ’82 VSB associate professor of the practice.
PAST AICC PARTICIPANT CREDITS EXPERIENCE WITH CAREER OUTCOME
VSB STUDENTS ADVANCE TO NATIONAL FINALS FOR DELOITTE AUDIT INNOVATION
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PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH
VSB GLOBAL CITIZENS PROGRAM VISITS PWC LONDON OFFICE
Associate Professor of the Practice Patricia Dorris-Crenny, CPA, ’82 VSB led a group of students in the VSB Global Citizens Program, a 16-week overseas experience for first-year business students seeking to expand their international experience. In March 2022, the group visited the PwC office at One Embankment Place in London. When it reopened in 2014 after a two-year refurbishment, the Embankment Place office achieved the highest-ever score under BREEAM for best practice in sustainable design and environmental performance, and it remains a leader in sustainable performance today. After the tour, the students participated in a panel discussion regarding the PwC international rotation program and the logistics of organizing an international audit. The panel featured current and past participants in the rotation program, including Villanova alumni and even a former participant in the Global Citizens Program in the UK.
AICC Team Members (top row): Brendan Tierney ’24 VSB; Andrew Daly '24 VSB; Rishi Patel '24 VSB; faculty advisor Patricia Dorris-Crenny, CPA, '82 VSB; (front row) Natalie DiDomenico '24 VSB; Cole Jackson '24 VSB; and Bianca Carzo '24 VSB.
First-Year VSB Students Visit PwC London L-R: Olivia Lofton, Santiago Ortiz de Montellano, Katherine Hedrick, Olivia Hansen, Aidan Gunn, Davis Strefling, Spencer Bodow (all '25 VSB), with Professor Patricia Dorris-Crenny, CPA, '82 VSB.
The team had great synergy and developed a clever idea of using artificial intelligence in the collection and monitoring of corporate governance for environmental and social factors (ESG). The VSB team advanced to the final round for the second consecutive year and traveled to Deloitte University in Texas for the AICC National competition. The team wants to especially thank Scott King ’92 VSB, audit partner at Deloitte and member of the Accounting Advisory Council, for his support and enthusiasm for their successes, and to thank Deloitte for such a great opportunity.
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KPMG
Several KPMG initiatives, such as their Business Resource Group (BRG) and Accelerate 2025 panel, were also discussed. The evening concluded with a networking opportunity for VSB students and KPMG professionals.
VISITSDIVERSITYCHIEFOFFICERVSB
In addition to the MADA program, KPMG also provides graduate scholarships to underrepresented students for both of our graduate accounting programs. These scholarships are essential to make graduate accounting education affordable to students who have financial need. The department and VSB want to thank the KPMG team!
We are excited to provide some updates about our collaboration with KPMG and their Master of Accounting with Data & Analytics (MADA) Scholars’ program. In 2017, we welcomed 25 KPMG-sponsored students into our Master of Accounting with Data Analytics (MAC) program. Informally known as the “KMACs,” these students were bright, energetic and excited to learn about emerging opportunities in the accounting profession related to data and technology. This sponsorship arrangement continued until summer of 2022, and over 100 KPMG professionals now call themselves Villanova University MADA Audit scholars.
Starting with academic year 2022–23, KPMG is moving away from a “sponsored student” model. KPMG will continue to provide curriculum support in the form of classroom materials (data, case studies, etc.), technology training for students and faculty, and guest speakers on emerging accounting technology topics. As a partner university, KPMG will also provide $300,000 in scholarship money over the next three years for underrepresented students to pursue a MAC as a KPMG MADA Scholar.
We would like to thank Roger O’Donnell ’90 VSB and the MADA Audit team at KPMG for providing this outstanding partnership opportunity for our students and for the faculty who teach in the MAC program. It was a significant commitment and investment that graduated outstanding students that excelled in professional settings. We look forward to our continuing collaboration with KPMG and the MADA program!
KPMG CONTRIBUTES SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING FOR MADA PROGRAM
OTHER KPMG SCHOLARSHIPS
Elena Richards, chief diversity officer for KPMG, visited campus in February 2022 to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and KPMG’s Accelerate 2025 initiative. Richards discussed the many initiatives she is spearheading at KPMG in the realm of DEI. Most importantly, she emphasized the importance of the community and teamwork that help propel DEI efforts at the firm. Her remarks were followed by a panel discussion that highlighted DEI and KPMG and the many different programs in place that help professionals thrive and grow at the firm, both professionally and personally.
Frank Frabizzio '91 VSB, 2022 Above and Beyond Award recipient, with Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, the Helen and William O'Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business, and Michael F. Peters, PhD, Chair and Alvin A. Clay Professor of Accounting.
EY COMMITS TO FIVE-YEAR
CPA+ Colleen Bridgman, Aidan Connolly, Matthew Kowalski, Zachary Tusa don’t COUNT us out! Jack Hobart, Amy Eshleman, Annie Snyder, Ryan Perry, Kaitlyn Bullington KEGGM Jake Graham, Evan Elkins, Liam Gang, Ryan McIntosh, Daniel Kraft Mind the GAAP Chris Montefusco, Charlie Cavolo, Jack McDermott, Angelina Sachar Nickel and Dime Braden Bair, Caleb Zettell, Anthony Severns, Vimal Alokam, Sarah Knoble
SPONSORSHIPS IN SUPPORT OF VSB
FIRMS CASE COMPETITION
The case for the 14th Annual VSB Global Accounting Firms Case Competition was “White Coat Devices.”
Seventeen teams composed of 72 freshmen were paired with representatives from five global accounting firms: Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG and PwC. A total of five partners and 14 associates serve as advisors. Deloitte was the lead firm this year. The VSB faculty advisor and the faculty leader for the competition is Janice Sipior, professor of MIS. The case competition began in February, and in March the Case Competition Committee, comprised of partners and associates, along with Accounting & Information Systems faculty, served as judges to determine five finalist teams, all of whom are members of the VSB class of 2025.
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EY’s commitment to the EY Summer Business Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships for underrepresented students who have been accepted into the Summer Business Institute (SBI) or other VSB summer business programs.
Frabizzio has been a member of the Accounting Advisory Council since 2008. In addition, he previously served as the PwC partner that managed the Villanova relationship. “Frank Frabizzio has been a true friend of Villanova. He was always there to help, talk, discuss and offer his hand in so many of our initiatives. We have been honored to have him as part of our team,” comments Michael Peters, PhD, chair of Accounting & Information Systems. We congratulate and thank him for his leadership and contributions not just to the Accounting department but to the entire VSB community.
Frank Frabizzio ’91 VSB, managing partner for Trust Specialty Services and audit partner at PwC, was recognized for his service and dedication to the college and its community with the 2022 Above and Beyond Recognition for the Accounting Advisory Council. Frabizzio was presented with the award during the VSB Stakeholders Summit in April 2022.
EY is sponsoring two programs within the Villanova School of Business: the EY Peer Advisors Program within the Clay Center and the EY Summer Business Scholarship fund. In the EY Peer Advisors Program, students can apply to serve as a peer mentor. Mentors are recruited as sophomores and will serve as peer advisors during their junior and senior years. This program will begin in August 2022. EY’s contributions will allow student advisors to be compensated for their participation and receive training as part of a leadership series to learn about mentoring, wellness, networking, career development and growth, among other professional development topics.
EY and VSB look forward to this partnership and continuing to enhance these programs.
PWC’S FRANK FRABIZZIO HONORED WITH VSB AWARD
VSB GLOBAL ACCOUNTING
The finals will conclude in September 2022 during Parents Weekend. Congratulations to our finalists and many thanks to all who participated in the Global Accounting Firms Case Competition 2022!
VSB Chief Financial Officer RSL Management Corporation
Chief Accounting Officer West Pharmaceutical Services A&IS ADVISORY
DANTE D’EGIDIO ’94 VSB Dante is now serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council. Dante was able to provide us with a certain perspective and access to EY that added significant value to VSB and our students. We thank Dante for his commitment and excellent insights throughout his tenure on the board.
RICHARD FURTEK ’91 VSB Richard was an active member of the AAC for many years and brought a unique perspective to our meetings given his experience in public accounting and as an entrepreneur in the health care consulting field. We thank Richard for his time and support in service to the council.
Michael J. Toscano ’93 Senior Vice President Joseph F. Tuite ’96 Chad R. Winters ’00 VSB Vice President and COUNCIL MEMBERS
Timothy Boehmer ’95 VSB CrowePartnerHorwath Timothy Boyle Executive Vice President, Head of Global Tax Chubb Brian J. Cassidy ’04 VSB Senior DeloittePartner Ann Cavanaugh ’92 VSB Managing Director Silicon Valley Bank Brendan P. Cox ’92 VSB Partner, Business Tax Services EY Joseph Croasdale ’85 VSB Global LiquidnetController Michelle Lynn Daly ’97 VSB SVP, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer NASDAQ Frank J. Frabizzio ’91 VSB Managing Partner, Trust Specialty Services and Audit Partner PwC Nicholas Andrew Francani ’00 VSB Managing Director The Siegfried Group Robert A. Hagemann P ’09 Retired Senior Vice President and CFO Quest Diagnostics John R. Kelly ’00 VSB Chief Financial Officer Axonic Capital Scott King ’92 VSB Audit DeloittePartner Robert Klemm ’90 VSB PwCPartner Erin P. Laber ’02 VSB Partner, Assurance and Business Advisory PwC Daniel J. Luckshire ’92 VSB Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Siga Technologies John J. Mahoney ’83 VSB Director, Credit and Treasury BASF James P. McCue ’86 VSB Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Comcast Corporation Daniel J. Meagher ’00 VSB KPMGPartner Kristina M. Parker ’94 VSB Audit KPMGPartner Michael Pramberger ’03 VSB Audit Partner Grant Thornton Steven A. Repko, CPA, ’95 VSB BakerPartnerTilly Mark E. Sieb ’89 VSB Senior Vice President and Treasurer Assurant Donald J. Soriero ’69 VSB Retired Vice President of Taxes Merck
STEPHEN DELANEY ’91 VSB Steve is now serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council. His efforts within VSB have been extensive, not just with his service on the board but also as the partner (along with Scott King ’92 VSB) in charge of Deloitte's Villanova relationship. VSB and the department thank Steve for his service and we look forward to continuing to work together.
MICHAEL MURPHY Mike was one of the first members of the AAC. He always had excellent insights and was instrumental in helping get the council off the ground. We thank Mike for all his time over these many years!
STEPHEN MCNAMARA ’88 VSB Steve was a long-time member of the AAC and has been helpful in many ways over these years. He has since changed positions and is now in a new chapter in his professional career. We look forward to continuing to work with Steve and wish him the best of luck with his new endeavor.
The advisory board membership listed below includes the members for the 2021–2022 academic year. During this past academic year, we welcomed Brian Cassidy ’04 VSB, Michelle Daly ’97 VSB and John Kelly ‘00 VSB to the Accounting Advisory Council (AAC). We thank them and all members for making room in their busy schedules to serve on the board. The AAC serves as a sounding board to the department and has been instrumental with their guidance on a host of issues, including curriculum, research, accreditation, strategy and most significant initiatives of the department.
We also wish to thank the following members who stepped off the board since the last newsletter:
VSB
and CFO, Panorama Division Wyndham Destinations
Department of Accounting & Information Systems, Bartley Hall 3019 800 Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085-1678 MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A&IS To make an investment in the department, please make checks payable to Villanova University – Department of Accounting & IS. If you prefer to make a contribution online or by phone, please contact Brendan Glackin, director of Major Giving, Villanova School of Business, at brendan.glackin@villanova.edu or 610-519-7602 . Thank you for your support!
