Accounting Fall 2019

Outstanding Students and Faculty Recognized at SOA Awards Banquet

At the Accounting Awards Banquet this fall, $215,000 in scholarships was awarded to 97 undergraduate students and $173,000 was awarded to 52 graduate students. These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of many individuals, families and firms. Long-time faculty member Fran Ayres also was recognized at the event with a Lifetime Service Award. In the keynote address, Tom Luccock, recipient of this year’s Alumni Recognition Award, shared lessons learned from his accounting career. 

If you are interested in making a scholarship donation, visit the OU Foundation website at https://giving.oufoundation.org/OnlineGivingWeb and specify Accounting Scholarship, or contact the Steed SOA directly at (405) 325-4221.

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Growth Continues in Masters of Accountancy Programs

Enrollment in the Residential Master of Accountancy continues to grow, rising to 119 students in Fall 2019. Steed graduates continue to be valued on the job market as 100% of the 2018-2019 program graduates seeking positions had secured jobs or were accepted to graduate school prior to graduation. The Residential Master’s program is ranked 20^th nationally compared to programs of similar size (by Public Accounting Report’s 38th Annual Professors Survey-2019).

Enrollment also increased in the online Master of Accountancy program. Total current enrollment is 86 students, 27 of which were admitted this fall. For the third consecutive year, demand for online accounting education increased and the number of applications to the program grew. To provide scholarship support to our online students, you can make a donation by giving online or by contacting the Price College External Relations office at (405) 325-7670.

Graduate Accounting Theory and Research Course Expands Focus on Critical Thinking and Data Analytics

Faculty member Kevan Jensen answers questions by graduate students Mona Tariq, Monica Wright and Chelsea Jackson, who selected Jensen’s study, “Quality Control in Audit Firms: Do Auditors Learn from Going Concern Errors?” for a project in the Accounting Theory and Research course taught by faculty member Richard Price. Projects in this course were recently expanded to further develop students’ critical thinking and data analytics skills through an introduction to academic research. 

Graduate Auditing Students Introduced to Substantive Analytical Procedures

Graduate students in Contemporary Audit Issues, taught by faculty member Brant Christensen, benefited from the experience of Grant Thornton partners Michael Eastmond and Brian Trimble, who shared insights regarding current practices of substantive analytical procedures, including how the use of these procedures in audits has been impacted by PCAOB inspections.

BMAcc Students Meet With FASB Supervising Project Manager Jeff Gabello

FASB Supervising Project Manager Jeff Gabello visited the Steed SOA to meet with BMAcc students in September. In the fourth-year Professional Development course, Gabello reviewed the FASB’s standard-setting process with students. With fifth-year students in the Accounting Theory and Research course, he discussed current issues in accounting for derivatives.

Students “Drill Down” Real-World Understanding with Visit to Gulfport Energy Sites

Students enrolled in Oil and Gas Accounting, taught by faculty member Jean Hale, recently visited drilling and production sites operated by Gulfport Energy near Lindsay, Okla.

Recent Graduates Recognized for CPA Exam Performance

The Oklahoma Society of CPAs recently awarded a silver medal to James Kuegler for achieving the top score on all four CPA exam sections within two consecutive windows. James is a graduate of the first online MAcc class and is the first graduate of that program to receive a medal. Drew Kimble, SOA residential MAcc alum, also was recognized with an honorable mention for his performance on the CPA exam.

2019-20 Mentorship Program Kicks Off

The Mentorship Program, sponsored by the SOA Board of Advisors and coordinated by faculty member Ashley Davis, had strong interest this fall as 38 students registered to be paired with a mentor. A kick-off event held in September provided students the opportunity to meet mentors and learn more about the benefits of mentoring. To volunteer to be a mentor in the future, please contact Davis at adavis@ou.edu.

BMAcc Student Jeffrey Avena Awarded PCAOB Scholarship

Jeffrey Avena was recently named by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board as a 2019-20 PCAOB Scholar and awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Avena, a fifth-year BMAcc student from Ft. Worth, plans to join EY in Dallas after graduation.

Accounting/MIS Student Maddie Gaylord named Price College Outstanding Senior

Maddie Gaylord, an accounting and MIS major from Mustang, was recently recognized as this year’s Price College Outstanding Senior. After graduating summa cum laude in December, Gaylord said she is looking forward to joining Love’s as a business system analyst in a position “working with robotic process automation to automate accounting processes using code. It is a really unique opportunity in that I get to use both accounting and MIS skills daily."

BMAcc Student Emily Kamphuis Combines Nonprofit Minor with Accounting

Emily Kamphuis (in blue cap, on left), a fourth-year BMAcc student with a minor in nonprofit organizational studies, completed a “life-changing” summer internship at Living Waters International (LWI) in Houston, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to “implement participatory, community-based water solutions in developing countries.” The highlight of Emily’s internship was a site visit to El Salvador where Emily and LWI staff celebrate with children upon completion of a new water well.

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Beta Alpha Psi Update

The fall semester has been busy for members of Beta Alpha Psi and faculty advisor Ashley Davis! Members have gathered for Lunch and Learn events (hosted by PwC, ACCA, and Love’s), professional meetings (including presentations by Eide Bailly and OSCPA) and the ever-popular “Tax vs. Audit” session, which was standing room only. Also, an enthusiastic group of BAP members participated in Price College Service Day [pictured] at Griffin Memorial Hospital, and BAP members showed “how we roll” at a social event at Sooner Bowl.

BMAcc Graduate Hannah Kamphuis Named Regional BAP Officer

Graduate Hannah Kamphuis was recently named as one of the nine national Beta Alpha Psi alumni representatives, serving the Rocky Mountain Region. Hannah is the first Steed alum chosen to serve in this position.

Steed SOA Welcomes Three Ph.D. Students

The Steed School of Accounting welcomes three new Ph.D. candidates, left to right: Ling Zhang, Brady Haering and Hunter Stohlmeyer.

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Accounting Faculty Continues to Grow at Steed SOA

This fall, the Steed School of Accounting welcomed new faculty member, Heejin Ohn, a recent graduate of the Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa, whose research focuses on disclosure and institutional investors. He will teach Intermediate I this spring.

Beth Stetson and Kaimee Tankersley Receive OSCPA “Gold Pen” Award

Faculty members Beth Stetson and Kaimee Tankersley and co-author Aubree Walton were recognized by the OSCPA for their article, “How Certain is Accountant-Client Privilege?,” published in CPAFocus. The OSCPA editorial board selected this article for the top award in recognition of its readability, content, technical appeal, and relevance.