CPAs and CFEs advise Peirce faculty in planning for the future of the College’s accounting degree programs

By peirceblog
June 24, 2011
2 Comments

The Peirce College Accounting faculty recently hosted their first Advisory Board meeting. Accounting professionals and Peirce faculty came together to discuss items of importance to the growth and success of Peirce’s accounting degree programs.

In the photo from left to right: Ahmed Omar, CFE (Program Manager and Assistant Professor, Accounting); Gail DiGiacomo (Professor, Accounting and Finance); Emilia Gorbulsky, CPA, MBA; Michael Bentil (Associate Professor, Accounting and Finance); Fred Poellnitz (Professor, Accounting and Finance); Anita T. Conner, MST, CPA (Anita T. Conner and Associates, P.C.); Bernard H. Fisher, CPA; Leola Bennett (Professor, Accounting)

The meeting was a great success, as faculty and Advisory Board members discussed how the program can best serve our students by preparing them for employment as successful and effective accounting professionals in the competitive global business community.

The following focus areas will guide the development of the Accounting degree programs to better serve Peirce College graduates in the years to come. We share these takeaways in hopes of providing students with insight into the characteristics they need to become successful accounting professionals:

Competencies graduating accounting students must have to be successful in the accounting profession: Effective communication, critical and creative thinking, leadership, team effectiveness, technological skills and awareness, global perspective, ethical practice, and career goals.
The range of opportunities accounting graduates can expect in this environment: Public accounting, private industry accounting, government, and not-for-profit accounting.
Skills and/or requirements our accounting students must have to participate in a seven-week cooperative education or internship program: Time management skills, proficient use of technology and accounting software, successful completion of business simulation activity and workshops.
Knowledge and skills required of accounting students seeking jobs and/or assignments outside the United States: Global perspective, adaptation to cultural differences, and knowledge of international accounting standards.
Ways we can recruit new students to the accounting program: Attractive accounting curriculum, scholarships, co-op programs, internships, and outreach to high schools and community colleges.

Accounting Advisory Board Members:
Elizabeth Avallone (Maillie, Falconiero and Company, LLP, CPA); Anita T. Conner, MST, CPA (Anita T. Conner and Associates, P.C.); Renée Cooper, CPA (President, American Society of Women Accountants, Philadelphia Chapter); A. William Dana, CPA, MBA; Bernard H. Fisher, CPA; Emilia Gorbulsky, CPA, MBA; Michael D. McKee ’02 (Director of Fraud and Special Investigations, Office of the City Controller); Phyllis M. Robinson, CPA; Gary Scott ’02, EA (GCS and Associates Financial Services, LLC); Daniel A. Winters ’50, CPA

Peirce Representatives:
Leola Bennett (Professor, Accounting); Michael Bentil (Associate Professor, Accounting and Finance); Gail DiGiacomo (Professor, Accounting and Finance); James J. Mergiotti (President); Ahmed Omar ’03 (Program Manager and Assistant Professor, Accounting); Fred Poellnitz (Professor, Accounting and Finance); Patricia Rucker (Senior Vice President, Academic Advancement and Provost)

2 thoughts on “CPAs and CFEs advise Peirce faculty in planning for the future of the College’s accounting degree programs”

Brad says:

August 4, 2011 at 12:19 am

I think this is awesome. Getting our students to be accountable regarding leadership, career goals, etc. is superb.

And at least there is focus on recruiting…..the accounting field is a fabulous place to be….we just have to get the word out there!

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Emily Blake says:

July 24, 2012 at 2:38 pm

I agree. It seems like with all of the renegade entrepreneurship out there we can barely hold on to fine talent as it is.
I think Forensic Accounting would be a great recruitment area to focus on.

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