Orfalea College of Business
ACCOUNTING AREA
This is an exciting time of growth in the Accounting area of Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business. Our program has set a goal to prepare 200 quality accounting graduates each year to meet the demand of public accounting firms. This is a significant increase from our current levels. Achieving this goal requires building new avenues for students to obtain the necessary accounting education. We have recently allowed students in other business concentrations like finance or information systems to add a second concentration in accounting. We will also launch an accounting minor to attract students from other majors on campus to add accounting to their curriculum. Last but not least, we aim to attract students from other quality academic institutions into our master’s program. The other key pillar of this “Campaign for 200” is adding additional accounting faculty. We have added two additional full time tenure track faculty — Kim Westermann and Adam Bordeman — and will add another faculty member beginning in 2016. Attracting and retaining the nation’s best teachers is critical to ensuring our program maintains its sterling reputation for quality education amidst our plan for growth. Know that you play a role in this campaign too. Your support financially and your advocacy as an industry partner will help us reach our goal and supply the accounting profession with outstanding graduates who embrace Learn by Doing. I invite you to read more about the recent developments shaping Cal Poly’s Accounting area. Doug Cerf
Accounting Area Chair
Orfalea College of Business
STUDENT SUCCESS
The Cal Poly Accounting Club (CPAC) and Low Income Tax Clinic (LITC) have continued to engage students with unique opportunities for Learn by Doing and professional development. Below are some of the highlights for the past year. CPAC earned a number of club awards for the 2014-15 academic year, including Mustang News’ Poly Picks Best Academic Club and Orfalea College of Business Club of the Year. Spring of 2015 marked Michelle Bissonnette’s final year as the club’s advisor, a position that has now been filled by Executive Director for Accounting Excellence Sheri Boscaro. So far this year, the club has doubled its membership from 144 to 300 students. They hosted a successful Fall Symposium in early October, giving all students a chance to connect with Big Four accounting firms as well as 41 other public accounting firms and industry companies. LITC, which provides legal representation for low-income taxpayers in tax disputes, began the 2015 fall quarter with a full class of 15 undergraduate students, five graduate students, and 68 clients. The program is celebrating their most recent victory, a case involving a single mother of four who had been the victim of domestic violence. When her abusive husband died, she found herself facing a $226,000 IRS liability based on misstatements he had made on their tax returns related to his sole proprietorship. The LITC used equitable arguments to have her liability reduced to zero, and she instead received a check for $16,000 as a refund for offsets the IRS had made in previous years. This victory put the LITC over the $2 million mark in liabilities it has saved its clients since its establishment in 2010.
CPAC HOSTS FIRST EVER OCOB OLYMPICS EVENT This fall, CPAC held its first ever OCOB Olympics, an active networking event that encouraged teams of students, alumni and recruiters to compete in athletic events for a good cause. Players engaged in tugof-war, three-legged races and human foosball while making connections with accounting professionals from a variety of firms. The event raised more than $1,500 for the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause close to the heart of CPAC Activities Director Kyle Kintner. “I dedicated this event to the Alzheimer’s Association this year as my grandmother passed away from Alzheimer’s five years ago and my grandfather currently is slowly losing his battle to Alzheimer’s,” he said. “I hope in future years the event’s donations go to a cause that is close to the hearts of others as this event meant so much to me.”
FACULTY EXCELLENCE Professor Steven Mintz Honored for Ethics and Professionalism
Accounting Professor Steven Mintz recently received the Accounting Exemplar Award in the public interest section from the American Accounting Association. The award is given annually to an educator or practitioner who has made a notable contribution to professionalism and ethics in accounting. With this honor, Cal Poly becomes the only educational institution to have two faculty members receive the award. Retired Cal Poly accounting Professor Mary Beth Armstrong received the award in 2009. Previous Accounting Exemplar Award winners also include Cynthia Cooper, the whistleblower who exposed $3.8 billion in fraud at WorldCom. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/CPMintz.
“Killer” Keller Retires After 28 Years
Professor Earl Keller, a pillar of Cal Poly’s Accounting area, has taught thousands of students since 1987. Many students remember him as “Killer Keller” for commanding the discipline’s most difficult courses. During his tenure, Keller always shared insights from his experiences as an auditor, a controller and a consultant during litigation cases for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, American International Group (AIG), and on cases involving the now-defunct Enron. With his retirement, Keller’s Cal Poly legacy will be honored with a student scholarship. Thanks to a founding contribution from Keller himself, the scholarship will benefit students pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting degree at the Orfalea College of Business. To learn more or donate to the scholarship, visit http://bit.ly/CPKellerScholarship.
Michelle Bissonnette Retires
After 16 years at Cal Poly, accounting lecturer Michelle Bissonnette retired in March of 2015. In addition to lecturing, Bissonnette has served as the faculty director for the Cal Poly Accounting Club since 2010. The club saw significant growth under her leadership, including the addition of events like Fall Symposium and Careers in Accounting Day. Bissonnette plans to devote her newly free time to her vegetable garden and traveling to places like France with her family. She says she’ll continue serving on the board of CalCPA and planning activities for its local chapter.
Partner Perspectives
DELOITTE
What were the highlights of your career at Cal Poly? Easy question — the highlight of my time at Cal Poly is that I met my wife, Christine (B.S., Ornamental Horticulture, 1980). I was also in the Accounting Club, the Men’s Glee Club and the leader of the barbershop group, The Majors and Minors. Tell us about your career experience at Deloitte. I have been at Deloitte for over 30 years and served dozens of start-up tech companies in Silicon Valley earlier in my career. In this role I am a leader of our national office and set audit policy and methodology and ensure audit quality throughout the practice. Lately, my client assignments have included several
DAVE SULLIVAN Deputy Managing Partner
of the largest clients of the firm. Early in my career, I took a two-year leave of absence and completed a fellowship at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) where I debated and wrote accounting standards and spoke around the country. You have been giving back to the Cal Poly community in a number of
ways, including monetary donations, speaking in classes, and volunteering on the Accounting Advisory Board. What has kept you so involved year after year?
I have grown to understand the need to give back to the university so that Cal Poly can continue to shine as the Orfalea College of Business and in the Accounting area. Every Cal Poly alum knows the great benefits they got from their Cal Poly education. Our professors challenged us to think critically and showed us a new world where each of us has an opportunity to be a leader. We all want to make a difference, and together, as we combine our giving, we make a huge difference in the quality of the experience at Cal Poly. With programs like the Deloitte Foundation, it’s easy to double the impact of your gift.
Partner Perspectives
ERNST AND YOUNG Describe your path to assurance partner at EY. I’ve been with EY 17 years. I started with them right out of college, and I’m now a partner. I’ve enjoyed the challenge from an intellectual perspective, from a technical perspective, but constantly learning and getting to do something different has been a good fit for me. This has consistently been the right career choice for me, even in taking on different roles at EY. What’s it like to work with Cal Poly alumni in the industry? I think you can definitely see the Learn by Doing mentality. As an auditor, you’re learning how things should work, but then going back and applying it to see if the company did how you think it should. Cal Poly students can do that better
WENDY CRAIG Assurance Partner
than some other students. It looks like your giving to the college started back with a $25 contribution
in 1998, the same year that you finished your degree. What inspired you to begin giving back to Cal Poly so soon after graduation?
I was at Cal Poly when the new building was just opened. At the time, our senior project for accounting students was an accounting research class. EY provided a license to use their software in the project, and I could go into the computer lab because of EY’s sponsorship. Those types of programs were already supported by the firms as well as alumni. Being part of the accounting program and all it offers, there were signs around and you could tell what was made possible by the firms. I grew up in an environment where, even if there were lean years, there was always a responsibility to give charitably. Especially when you have an opportunity to work at a firm like I do where we have gift matching, what I give then gets doubled to what the university receives. For me, it started out with a low salary, but I knew I could still do a match. Each year, as my salary increased, it seemed like my giving to Cal Poly should increase as well.
Partner Perspectives
KPMG
As someone who has been in industry for over 25 years, what advice would you give students who want to pursue a career in accounting?
Students absolutely need to have strong academics and a proven ability to communicate well and carry themselves in a manner that shows confidence in their abilities. Students should be learning this in college and taking advantage of leadership roles in clubs and activities that can help develop those skills. I believe that my involvement with CPAC provided me a great social atmosphere and career exploration opportunities. What do you think is different about Cal Poly? I think that the main differentiator of Cal Poly from other schools is the unique rela-
RON LOPES Advisory Partner
tionships between faculty and students. The Cal Poly faculty has a profound sense of caring and genuine interest in students’ lives and successes. I remember my professors Dave Nutter and Jack Robison so fondly for how they deeply cared for their students, and that tradition continues today with the current faculty. The faculty’s engagement with students that I experienced at Cal Poly was so different from my experience at UC Berkeley, where at times I was only one face of 700 in a class. Why have you given? My first contribution was two years after I graduated. I began giving as part of a KPMG program, which matched employees’ contributions to their alma mater. As my career progressed, I quickly realized that I had received tremendous value for my Cal Poly education. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded, with no family members in this type of industry, and as the first generation of my family to attend college. It is gratifying to donate to Cal Poly, because the university does a great job of showing appreciation for the contributions they are given, and I have seen first-hand that the funds have been put to good use. It is the combination of all of these factors that makes it a “no-brainer” to give.
Partner Perspectives
P ricewaterhouse C oopers What were the highlights of your career at Cal Poly? Involved in any clubs, sports, activities that you remember fondly?
The friendships I made were definitely the highlight of my time at Cal Poly. I have terrific memories of all the road trips with friends, nights camping on the beach, hiking and backpacking excursions and long ski trips. Oh, I seem to recall there was a bit of time spent studying too! Tell me a brief history of your career and how you got to your position at PwC. I knew almost nothing about public accounting when I was a student, but was fortunate to get an internship with PwC after my junior year at Cal Poly. I always wanted to live overseas, so after four years with PwC I moved to London to manage proj-
STEVE M c CANN Assurance Partner
ects across Europe for one of our Fortune 100 clients. After returning to California, I realized that I really enjoy building relationships with management teams and helping their companies solve complex problems. I knew PwC gave me the opportunity to do this every day, so I focused my energy and time on those things I enjoyed most, which lead me to become a partner. What’s it like seeing the reputation of the Cal Poly’s accounting program continue to grow in the industry?
Over the past 20 years, the number of Cal Poly graduates I meet in industry has grown exponentially. Cal Poly students are known in industry for being incredibly bright, innovative, and well rounded. They have integrity and are able to lead others through challenges. We have a tremendous amount of momentum — let’s keep it going! What made you decide to start contributing to the accounting program? I believe participation at any level is important. Giving even a small amount demonstrates that you care about the program and those who come behind you. The faculty and administration have worked for many years to successfully raise the profile of the accounting program. I know that it takes funding to keep growing the program and to provide the various events and opportunities available to students.
FACULTY FACTS Get to know the new faculty members in Cal Poly’s Accounting area
FACULTY
Tell us a little bit about yourself? I grew up in Southern California and attended Cal Poly as an undergraduate – where I concentrated in accounting and minored in speech communication. My first job was in San Jose as an auditor for EY. After two years with EY, I moved to PwC in New York where I worked as an auditor for two years and then transferred into Learning and Education as a full-time instructor. In 2006 I began my PhD program at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. During my Ph.D. program, I spent six months in Sydney, Australia as a visiting scholar at UNSW. Upon completion of my Ph.D., I accepted a job at Florida International University — a large public institution in Miami. In 2014 I got married and had a beautiful baby girl, which prompted our move to California to be closer to family. What made you want to come and teach at Cal Poly? I think San Luis Obispo is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I received a fantastic education at Cal Poly and I have adopted a Learn by Doing attitude in
KIM WESTERMANN Ph.D., CPA
every aspect of my life. I am honored to come back to my alma mater and be a part of a team of faculty that continues to produce top accounting students. What do you see as the future of Cal Poly’s accounting program? Continuing to produce top students that go to work in both industry and public accounting. I would love to introduce more research into the program to plant the seed that some students may be interested in getting a Ph.D. one day. As an alumnus of the program, how do you think Cal Poly prepared you for a career in accounting as compared to other universities?
I think that Cal Poly is in a very unique position, in that we are one of the top schools for accounting firms in Silicon Valley — which we all know is the world leader in technical innovation. I think you could go to a Bay Area accounting firm right now and you could easily find a Cal Poly grad that you could swap stories with about Tad Miller, “Killer” Keller, Doug Cerf, and Janice Carr – to name a few. Tell us a fun fact about yourself? I have traveled to six continents.
INTERVIEWS Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in the Chicago area, where my family still resides. I studied accounting at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. and earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. During college, I was an audit intern with Deloitte in the Chicago office. I moved to San Diego after graduation where I worked with Deloitte and, subsequently, in private industry. I obtained my Ph.D. at the University of Colorado at Boulder where I studied the impact of accounting regulation on firms’ accounting functions. What inspired you to choose to teach accounting at Cal Poly? I value the never-ending pursuit of knowledge. Teaching allows me to be at the forefront of my field while connecting with the next generation. I learn as much from my students as they do from me! I was also very impressed by the caliber of the students at Cal Poly. They are engaged, professional, and have a strong work ethic. The school’s Learn by Doing philosophy fits perfectly with an accounting
ADAM BORDEMAN Ph.D.
curriculum. What advice would you give to students in accounting today? Never settle; work to be the best version of yourself that you can be. I also encourage students to learn more about the opportunities for accountants. Having a strong knowledge of the fundamental language of business can open many different career paths. There are a lot of exciting jobs out there to be had! What do you see as the future of Cal Poly’s accounting program? The future is bright for the accounting program. We can continue to foster our great relationships with the accounting firms in order to successfully place our students after graduation. The demand for accountants seems to always be present and it’s our job to direct students to success. There is also the potential for continued growth in the many master’s programs throughout the college. These programs have a great track record of deepening students’ knowledge base. Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I have lived in every time zone in the contiguous 48 states.
Giving Back to
3
CAL POLY ACCOUNTING STEPS TO MATCH YOUR GIFT
YOUR SUPPORT ADDS UP Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and industry partners, Cal Poly has built a program that has played an integral role in the accounting profession in California and beyond for decades. Now it’s time for supporters to come together as the program faces a new opportunity — meeting increased demand from the public accounting firms who love hiring Cal Poly accounting
You or your spouse may
graduates.
will match charitable giving.
The Campaign for 200 aims to expand the Accounting area to prepare 200 eligible graduates
impact at the Orfalea
sizes and Learn by Doing projects that define Cal Poly’s caliber of education. This is where you
work for a company that
Here’s how to double your
per year by 2017. Our goal is not only to grow, but to grow smarter, preserving the small class
College of Business:
come in. We need your support to expand strategically without sacrificing the sterling reputation
1 CHECK
your employer’s status Visit www.giving.calpoly.
edu/matching to find out if your company matches gifts.
2 CONTACT
your matching representative
Reach out to your company’s representatives for the right paperwork.
3 CONNECT
with Cal Poly
Cal Poly’s Advancement Services can help secure a match for gifts given in the past year.
Cal Poly has earned.
WHAT WILL YOUR CONTRIBUTION SUPPORT? 1. Hiring Outstanding Faculty
Leading professors will help inspire students by sharing their own industry experience and nurturing one-on-one relationships that last a lifetime.
2. Expand Learn by Doing Projects Grow capstone projects like the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to give more students hands-on experience.
3. Foster Career-Readiness Resources More industry-focused education, leadership opportunities and professional development resources will be at students’ fingertips. This year, we invite you to make a contribution to Cal Poly’s Accounting area to help us grow smarter and meet the evolving needs of the business world. Now more than ever, your donations will make a direct impact on the excellence of our program and the opportunities available to the next generation of students. We are grateful to the friends and partners like you who ensure our program has a bright future worthy of its admirable heritage.
GET INVOLVED Sheri Boscaro, executive director for accounting excellence and CPAC advisor, is the liaison between the employers hiring our accounting students and the Accounting area. Alumni can also reach out to Sheri to explore opportunities to mentor students on campus or remotely through the college’s Executive Partners Program. Contact Sheri with any interests at sboscaro@calpoly.edu or 805-756-2695.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH ACCOUNTING SAY HELLO 1 Grand Avenue San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0300
AREA CONTACT INFO Building 03, Room 403 805-756-1543
805-756-1543
ACCOUNTING & LAW FACULTY
www.cob.calpoly.edu
Doug Cerf Bradford Anderson
CONNECT ONLINE LinkedIn Cal Poly Accounting Alumni Group Facebook.com/CalPolyOrfaleaCollege Twitter.com/OrfaleaCollege Instagram.com/OrfaleaCollegeofBusiness
Adam Bordeman Lee Burgunder Chris Carr Li Dang Herbert Hunt Tad Miller Steven Mintz Rodney P. Mock Jeffrey Tolin Kim Westermann