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| PAWS & REFLECT
Fall 2025, Volume 7
News from Clemson University's School of Accountancy
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The School of Accountancy continues to grow and thrive. Our undergraduate program is ranked in the Top 25 Public Undergraduate Accounting Programs (U.S. News & World Report, 2024), and last academic year, 180 undergraduate students graduated with an accounting degree. Additionally, the four- and six-year graduation rates for sophomores who directly entered the accounting major were 95.3% and 96.9%, respectively, for the 2024-25 academic year. Our fall and spring recruiting events for undergraduate students continue to grow in popularity, with a total of over 70 firms participating this past year. Our Master of Professional Accountancy program (MPAcc) is ranked among the Top 50 in the nation (TFE Times, 2025) and unsurprisingly, our MPAcc graduates are highly sought after, with our placement rate consistently either at or near 100 percent. In terms of academic research, we are now recognized as the 36th school in worldwide research rankings for 2024. Our research faculty truly excel in their craft and also continue to be leaders in our field's professional academy, the American Accounting Association. Also critically important, just this spring we hosted a peer review team from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), who extended accreditation for the School of Accountancy for the next six-year period.
We greatly appreciate your support of the School of Accountancy, which is more important now than ever. Our budgets have recently seen significant negative impacts, and your donations are necessary for us to continue to offer our cutting-edge curriculum that seeks to prepare our students for the ever-changing business landscape in which they will find themselves upon graduation. If you would like to provide financial support, please designate your contribution to the School of Accountancy Excellence Fund. We also greatly appreciate your support in hiring our graduates and interacting with our students. I look forward to continued interactions; please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
GO TIGERS!
Robin R. Radtke, Ph.D.
Director, School of Accountancy and Professor
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In This Issue:
- Congratulations and Accreditation
- Department Changes
- Student Highlights and Awards
- Student Organizations
- Alumni Spotlights
- Faculty Awards and Research
- MPAcc Program
- Advisory Board Members
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Congratulations and Accreditation
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Congratulations to the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, which earned top recognition in Niche's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. The college is ranked among the top business schools in the nation and was named the No. 1 College for Business in South Carolina. It also received top rankings in the areas of accounting, finance and economics.
The School of Accountancy also officially received a six-year extension of AACSB accreditation! The department accreditation committee worked hard to prepare for the Continuous Improvement Review conducted during the 2024-2025 academic year. Thank you to the accreditation committee, Erin Hawkins (Chair), Marc Cussatt and Babak Mammadov, and to the faculty members who participated in the Peer Review Team in-person visit in February 2025.
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Retirement
After 12 years at Clemson University, senior lecturer Phil Maiberger retired from full-time teaching following the Fall 2024 semester. He looks forward to spending more time on the golf course and with family, including his new grandson, Everett, and his second grandchild due in early 2026.
Since joining the School of Accountancy in 2015, Maiberger has shared his expertise while teaching financial accounting, intermediate accounting and accounting information systems, drawing from over three decades of professional experience in both public and private sectors. He was instrumental in establishing a capstone course for accounting majors who minor in management information systems.
While Maiberger has retired from his full-time role, his passion for teaching and the Clemson community remains strong. He has returned this fall to teach on a part-time basis.
The School of Accountancy is grateful for Maiberger's contributions and looks forward to his continued presence on campus.
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Please join us in congratulating our recent promotions. Judson Jahn was promoted to principal lecturer. Terry Knause was promoted to senior lecturer. Greg McPhee was promoted to associate professor with tenure, and Robin Radtke was promoted to full professor. We commend the dedication and meaningful contributions these faculty bring to our academic community.
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Lecturer
This fall, Becky Goessel, CPA, CGMA, joined the School of Accountancy as a senior lecturer, teaching Intermediate Financial Accounting I and Accounting Information Systems. Goessel earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Clemson after relocating from Schenectady, New York. She began her career in assurance at KPMG, where she rose to senior manager before transitioning to industry with Guardian Industries, serving as CFO for Net Profit and playing a key role in its acquisition by TALX Corporation.
Goessel returned to public accounting with Elliott Davis and later went on to serve as director of finance at FGP. Inspired by her experience training others, she decided to pursue her long-time goal of teaching—earning her Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) from Clemson and joining the faculty at USC Upstate.
At USC Upstate, she founded the university's first Beta Alpha Psi chapter and served on its international board. She also served on the SC Board of Accountancy's Education Committee and several SCACPA committees. Goessel's outreach efforts included partnering with The Children's Museum of the Upstate to help launch the "Money Works" exhibit and the Family Finances program, developing financial literacy programs for students and underserved communities.
Goessel's ties to Clemson run deep. She met her husband at a back-to-school dance on campus and joined Central Spirit through his encouragement. They now have two children: a recent Clemson engineering graduate and a current USC student double-majoring in accounting and finance. The family lives in the Upstate with their rescue dog.
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Student Highlights and Awards
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Brayden Pyles, an accounting major with minors in economics and legal studies, is pursuing departmental honors in accounting at Clemson University. A first-generation college student from Clemson, S.C., he plans to graduate in 3.5 years with CPA credit-hour requirements complete, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
On campus, Pyles has held leadership roles in Delta Sigma Pi, Clemson Undergraduate Student Government and the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business Recruitment Ambassador program. He has served on the Accounting Student Advisory Board and contributed to major campus events such as Tiger Prowl and the President's Banquet. In the Sales Innovation Program, he has worked on recruitment and leadership teams, served as Assistant Manager for the Ascent Program and earned top placements in multiple competitions.
His involvement extends beyond academics. Pyles was named the President and First Lady's "Student of the Game" for the 2024 football season opener. He has helped launch two fitness studios and taught cycling classes in Clemson and Charlotte. He completed a summer audit internship with Deloitte in Charlotte and now serves as a Campus Ambassador for the firm, where he will begin full-time after graduation.
Reflecting on his Clemson journey, Pyles said, "I fell in love with accounting after my first class with Professor Weaver. The professors in the Accounting Department have been some of my biggest supporters and mentors. There is truly no other place or degree program I would want to be in."
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Sam Wienstroer, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, came to Clemson University with an interest in understanding how things work. Initially drawn to engineering, he later discovered that accounting better combined his strengths in technical knowledge, analytical thinking and interpersonal skills.
Wienstroer has excelled academically, earning a 4.0 GPA in accounting while participating in Delta Sigma Pi and completing study abroad programs in Rome and at Bond University in Australia. He has also applied his skills through entrepreneurial ventures and consulting work.
As part of the Management Consulting Consortium, Wienstroer spent a year working with Titan Farms to evaluate asset management and maintenance systems, research Enterprise Resource Planning and Enterprise Asset Management software and present final recommendations in spring 2025.
In his role as Entrepreneur in Residence at Clemson LaunchPad, Wienstroer developed Atlas, a career guidance platform connecting high school students with college students and professionals to help align passions with majors and careers. Atlas advanced to the finals of the SC Innovates Pitch Competition, won the Veterans Pitch Competition hosted by Clemson LaunchPad, and reached the finals of the Power’s Pitch Competition in April 2025.
Now pursuing the CPA exam, Wienstroer has begun his career as a tax consultant with Deloitte in Chicago, bringing together a strong accounting foundation and proven entrepreneurial drive.
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New Corporate Sustainability and Reporting Class
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In Spring 2025, Greg McPhee, Ph.D., developed and taught a new course titled Corporate Sustainability and Reporting. The course explores contemporary corporate sustainability practices and how companies disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities to external stakeholders. Key topics include the economic foundations of sustainability, strategies for managing and reporting sustainability performance and the rapidly evolving disclosure requirements in the United States and European Union.
To provide a practitioner perspective, representatives from two public accounting firms presented in class. Nate White (Partner) and Steve Wilkerson (Senior Manager) from Forvis Mazars' sustainability practice discussed the current corporate sustainability landscape and the impact of recently adopted mandatory disclosure requirements in the United States and the European Union. In doing so, White and Wilkerson highlighted the critical role that the audit profession can play in shaping corporate sustainability strategies and ensuring the accuracy of externally reported sustainability information. They concluded by encouraging students to continue learning about sustainability, noting that a background in sustainability can help students differentiate themselves in the job market.
Representatives from Elliot Davis also spoke to the class, offering insights into the intersection of sustainability and global trade. Bergin Fisniku (Director and National Tax Practice Leader) and Eric Hargraves (Senior Manager) discussed the ever-changing global trade environment, highlighting how shifting tariff regimes, increased customs enforcement, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping supply chains and market access. They further examined the growing influence of climate-related risks and emerging state-level regulations over greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the relevance of sustainability to trade strategy, interstate commerce, dealmaking and regulatory compliance.
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Venice and Milan
Assistant Professor Marc Cussatt and Associate Professor Bela Zykaj (Finance) guided 13 Clemson students on a faculty-led spring break program to Venice and Milan.
Prior to departure, students explored the historical and contemporary significance of the Venetian Empire in shaping modern accounting and finance. A key focus is the work of Luca Pacioli, a Franciscan friar whose 1494 publication, Summa de Arithmetica Geometria Proportioni et Proportionalità, includes a treatise on accounting and finance methods used by Venetian merchants of the time. In his work, Pacioli outlines such concepts such as double-entry bookkeeping, trial balances, financial statements, profit computation and the ethical considerations of a "fair" profit. Pacioli's work is widely recognized for establishing modern-day accounting and finance practices, with the principles he outlined still being employed today.
While abroad, students engaged in a range of culturally immersive and academically relevant activities, including a faculty-designed, multi-day scavenger hunt that led them to various historically relevant sites and cultural immersion opportunities, reinforcing classroom concepts through experiential learning. The program included five nights in Venice and two nights in Milan, Italy's financial hub and a location with historical significance due to Pacioli's collaboration with Leonardo da Vinci. Upon return, students reflected on their learning and experiences through a final assignment.
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Rome
This summer, 25 Clemson University students took part in a study abroad program in Rome, led by lecturer Paul Bonney and Clinical Assistant Professor John Ledbetter. The program combined academic coursework with cultural immersion, offering a global perspective on business, law and sustainability.
Students began coursework online before completing classes at the Pantheon Institute in Rome. Courses included the legal environment of business, financial accounting concepts and sustainability law and policy. Classes were held on weekday mornings and early afternoons, allowing time for group activities and sightseeing.
Cultural experiences included walking tours, a crash course in Italian, a cooking class and a rooftop pizza social. Students visited historic landmarks, attended a Papal Audience in Vatican City and took a three-day trip through Tuscany, including a business-focused tour of the Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano wine cellar.
The group also engaged with professionals from PwC, Forvis Mazars, and local attorneys Simone Cadeddu and Livio Pochetti. The group also met with representatives from ICCROM, a UNESCO-affiliated organization focused on cultural heritage preservation. A highlight of the experience was a visit to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome, where students learned about global strategies to combat hunger and promote sustainability.
Brady Young, a student in this year's study abroad program, called the experience "utterly life-changing." He said Bonney's classes offered insight into how law and policy influence business decision-making. Meeting global professionals expanded his perspective on international careers in accounting and law.
Young said navigating a foreign country and adjusting to a new culture were meaningful challenges, made easier by the support of his peers. He expressed gratitude to professors Bonney and Ledbetter and the Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad. "Seeing Italy's art and architecture in person was something I had only dreamed of," he said. "The summer of 2025 will always be one to remember."
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Oxford
The 2025 MPAcc in Oxford program was a huge success! Thirty-six MPAcc students (representing a third of the MPAcc program enrollment) traveled to Oxford, England, for two weeks this summer. The students lived and learned in Magdalen College, one of the 39 colleges that comprise Oxford University.
The students took two courses taught by Clemson faculty (Jeremy Vinson and Suzy Pearse): international accounting and ethical, professional and societal responsibilities. The material and discussions in these courses were enhanced by the cultural aspects of living and learning in England.
Cultural events included high table dinners, attending a performance of "The Winter’s Tale" by the Royal Shakespeare Company, punting and more. Students also attended guest lectures given by experts in their field including Russell Jackson (Shakespearian Emeritus Professor of Drama, University of Birmingham), Kevin Gardiner (Global Investment Strategist, Rothschild & Co.), David Drewry (Geophysicist, Professor Emeritus, University of Cambridge, Vice Chair of U.K. National Commission for UNESCO) and Ian Gray (Executive Partner and Chairman, Eversheds Sutherland Europe). Over a long weekend, many students traveled around Europe, including Ireland, Belgium and Switzerland. Overall, it was a wonderful, enriching experience for our students!
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Congratulations School of Accountancy Scholarship Winners
Each year, the Scholarships and Awards Committee of the School of Accountancy selects 15 students to receive awards based on evidence of academic performance, leadership, service and character. The awards are conferred during the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business Honors and Awards Ceremony. The awards range from $250 to $1,000 per student. The School of Accountancy is thankful to our generous donors who make these annual awards possible. Congratulations to the winners listed below!
Rachael Barbieri
Braxton Bostick
Elizabeth Chain
Mia Coll
Haley Duggan
Anthony Gregware
Emily Kneller
Madison McIntyre
Alyssa Monroe
Lauren Montgomery
Parker Moseley
Dakota Peters
Abby Riddle
Leah Stowe
Molly Zazzaro
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Congratulations PCAOB Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to Austin Canavan, Laniya Johnson, and Chloe Knight for being selected as PCAOB scholars and receiving a $15,000 scholarship for the 2025 to 2026 academic year!
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Congratulations PCAOB Scholarship Winners
Each year, the South Carolina Association of CPAs awards accounting students from colleges and universities within South Carolina. Congratulations to all the Clemson award winners for the 2025 to 2026 academic year listed below!
Rachael Barbieri
Brandon Carter
Makayla Dempsey
Jay Ferguson
Cecilia Fortier
Melody Goldberg
William (Ethan) Lee
Morgan Littrell
Isabel McCleery
Gavin Nelson
Quin Seifert
Patricia Suarez
Elizabeth Toms
Jordan Williams
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Accounting Student Advisory Board
In its second year of operation, the Accounting Student Advisory Board saw significant growth and impact during the 2024–25 academic year. Under the leadership of Chair Aidan Walker, a junior accounting major, and Vice Chair Trevor Hanson, the board grew to 17 members and advanced several key initiatives. Professor Kathryn Kisska-Schulze serves as the Board's faculty advisor.
As a young organization, the board continued to refine its goals while making tangible contributions to the experience of accounting students. During the year, the board focused on its founding priorities: fostering student engagement and promoting community involvement. A few noteworthy accomplishments included hosting biannual Meals on Wheels service events, assisting with organizing two "Beyond the Ledger" alumni panels and launching the inaugural Firm Information Session during Accounting Career Week.
Walker cited the spring alumni panel, organized in collaboration with Professor Erin Hawkins, as a particular highlight. "This remarkable success reinforced the value of these discussions in shaping the student experience." Walker also emphasized the impact of this year's first Firm Information Session, noting that "The overwhelmingly positive response from both students and employers highlights the event's significance in bridging the gap between academic preparation and professional success."
Walker passes the torch to incoming Chair Trevor Hanson this year, and with a growing presence and a strong foundation, the Accounting Student Advisory Board is poised to continue connecting students with meaningful academic and career opportunities.
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Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Alpha Psi had another successful year. The chapter hosted a variety of events and meetings to promote the academic and career growth of its members. Throughout the year, members had the opportunity to connect with professionals from PwC, EY, Elliott Davis, BDO, GreerWalker and Deloitte.
A highlight of the Spring semester was the professional etiquette dinner, sponsored by BDO. This annual event helps students gain experience in professional conduct, networking and dining etiquette. The year was also marked by the spring initiation of new members and a graduation celebration, both sponsored by GreerWalker.
In addition to academic and career-building events, the chapter also gave back to the community by tutoring, collecting pop tabs and donations for the Ronald McDonald House, working with Habitat for Humanity during Homecoming and volunteering at the Growing Green Family Farm. The chapter also supported members during finals week by organizing a collaborative study space that encouraged academic success and peer support.
The chapter once again achieved Gold status, and with 130 members and candidates, the chapter remains an engaged and active presence within our academic community.
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IMA Student Chapter
The Clemson Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) student chapter hosted a series of events featuring professionals from both the private and public sectors, including representatives from Robert Half, First Quality, Sonoco, the Drug Enforcement Agency and TTI Power Equipment. Under the guidance of faculty advisor Babak Mammadov, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting, each event attracted 70–80 student attendees throughout the academic year. These meetings provided students with valuable opportunities to engage with industry professionals and explore various career paths in accounting. Several students took the initiative to connect with the guest speakers afterward, leading to internship interviews and job opportunities.
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Lee Dixon, a Clemson alumnus and current managing director at Ernst & Young LLP, is shaping the future of accounting as his efforts help blend audit practices and education with technology.
In his role as the Americas Data & Intelligence Delivery Center of Excellence Deputy Leader, Dixon supports audit engagements and plays a key role in keeping the firm's audit processes innovative and forward-looking. Dixon leads a high-performing hybrid team focused on delivering solutions in data and technology. The team is dedicated to building, deploying and activating emerging technologies and AI to enable advanced analytics and develop innovative approaches for audit practices. Their work supports audit teams and external clients.
Dixon's impact extends beyond the EY organization, particularly in his willingness to translate his audit experience and industry knowledge into meaningful contributions to accounting education. He is an active member of Clemson's Accounting Advisory Board and has played a key role in the support and development of two courses. Dixon advised on the initial content for the graduate-level Advanced Accounting Analytics course, Accounting 8680, and continues to support its evolution. Dixon spoke to the class during its inaugural session, and he continues to help kick off the course by identifying EY employees to speak each semester. As the developer of the class, Professor Marc Cussatt noted, "Lee was instrumental in launching Accounting 8680 and remains an invaluable resource. I'm deeply honored by his unwavering dedication to our profession and to his alma mater and continually impressed by his exceptional technical knowledge."
Dixon has also been a dedicated supporter of Jimmy Barnes' Accounting 8690, Analytics in Accounting, volunteering each summer since 2020 to lead classes and provide insights into analytics and AI. He also helps students apply their skills through case studies, while offering valuable guidance on the future of analytics in practice.
In addition to his support at Clemson, Dixon has facilitated numerous training sessions at the EY organization, collaborated with additional universities across the Southeast and beyond and presented at various accounting association events. Through these efforts, he consistently advocates for preparing new accountants and students for the future, emphasizing the development of distinctive skills that will enable them to thrive in their careers.
In addition to being deeply dedicated to his profession, Dixon's true passions lie in his family and his Clemson roots. A proud double graduate of Clemson University, holding both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Accounting, he remains closely connected to the school. His early experience as a teaching assistant to Professor Hollingsworth played a pivotal role in shaping his commitment to mentorship and education, which continues to drive his engagement with Clemson today.
Dixon and his wife, Britney, are raising their two children, Hunter, 4, and Madelyn, 2, in Townville, South Carolina. Whether it's watching Clemson games, enjoying lake life or teaching his son the cadence count, Dixon's ties to Clemson run deep, and his love for the University remains at the heart of both his personal and professional life.
Looking ahead, Dixon hopes to continue building connections between his profession and the classroom. He envisions a future where students enter the workforce with not only technical knowledge but also the mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. He is focused on staying ahead of the accelerating pace of technological change and helping both the EY organization and partner universities grow a strong talent pipeline. Over the next 5 to 10 years, he hopes to shape career paths that excite students and reflect the evolving nature of the profession, developing, growing and setting them up for long-term success.
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From the small town of Walhalla, South Carolina, to the city of Philadelphia, Ansley Mattox's journey is a story of drive, passion and purpose. A Clemson University Accounting graduate, Mattox now works as a Tax Fellow at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where she is also pursuing her master's degree through the firm’s selective "While You Work" program.
Mattox's Clemson roots run deep. With both of her parents being Clemson alumni, Mattox grew up immersed in Tiger pride, complete with season tickets alongside her Papa. Her interest in accounting began in high school through DECA, an international academic organization that builds leadership, career readiness and business skills. Competing in the finance track, she quickly found success—placing second in South Carolina her sophomore year, first in the state as a junior and eventually placing third at the international level. Mattox also served South Carolina's DECA program as VP of Finance, where she gained real-world experience managing budgets, fundraising and traveling to provide guidance to fellow student chapters.
At Clemson, Mattox continued to excel, completing her accounting degree in just three years. Her resume includes a string of top-tier internships: starting with Payne, White & Schmutz in Seneca during her senior year of high school, then with Elliott Davis in Greenville after her first year, Frazier & Deeter in Atlanta as a sophomore and a return to Elliott Davis before securing a full-time offer from PwC. Her proactive approach and positive attitude made a lasting impression on professors and mentors, including Clemson professor Mike McGuigan, who played a pivotal role in connecting her with an early internship with Elliott Davis.
In the fall of 2023, Mattox was accepted into PwC's "While You Work" program and officially began in August 2024. The program is a prestigious entry point into the firm's tax and audit practices. Out of roughly 3,000 applicants, just over 100 were accepted nationwide. As a Tax Fellow, she balances full-time work with evening classes with PwC, covering the cost of her master's degree. She is set to complete the program by August 2025. In just eight months, she passed all four sections of the CPA exam, becoming the first in her cohort to do so—an achievement that led to her being selected as the commencement speaker for the spring 2025 PwC Northeastern cohort.
Outside of work and school, Mattox brings the same energy and commitment to her personal passions. She serves as a ball girl for the Philadelphia Phillies at home games, where she fields foul balls, interacts with fans and helps energize the crowd. As a ball girl, she also serves an important community outreach role in which she takes part in softball clinics across Philadelphia and South Jersey, works with Girl Scouts and has visited Nemours Children's Hospital in Delaware.
Living far from home, Mattox has found a support system in her local church. Mattox is an active member of CityLight Church, participating in a weekly small group and volunteering for local outreach projects, including the group’s most recent work at a local homeless shelter. During her time at Clemson, she was a dedicated member of Kappa Delta, serving on the budget committee and supporting campus philanthropy. As a PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) leader, she helped guide fellow students through challenging coursework—her sessions became so popular they had to be moved to larger auditoriums.
Ansley Mattox exemplifies Clemson spirit—whether she's navigating tax codes, rallying the Phillies' fan base or serving others, she leads with excellence, humility and heart. We look forward to watching Mattox's continued success.
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Faculty Awards and Research
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Faculty Awards and Honors
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University Teaching Award
Clinical Assistant Professor Holly Hawk earned the Provost’s Junior Non-Tenure-Track Outstanding Teaching Award for her innovative and impactful contributions in the classroom. The award honors faculty whose recent achievements reflect a strong teaching philosophy, effective methodology and ongoing self-assessment focused on improvement and innovation. Known for integrating emerging technologies, AI, data analytics and accounting information systems into her courses, Hawk equips students with the skills needed in today's dynamic business environment.
Her excellence in teaching was also nationally recognized with the George Krull/Grant Thornton EDGE in Teaching Award for her case study, Building Higher Order Thinking Skills through Assessment of User Account Access Management. She also plays a key role in shaping the CPA Evolution Model Curriculum, where she is helping prepare future CPAs for the challenges driven by today's technological and industry changes. Additionally, Hawk's research on AI in accounting education has earned her recognition on the CPA Practice Advisor's "40 Under 40" list for three consecutive years. Hawk's commitment to student success and leadership in the profession exemplifies the spirit of the Provost's award.
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Faculty Senator of the Year
Associate Professor Jace Garrett was honored as Faculty Senator of the Year in spring 2025. This honor recognizes Garrett's outstanding contributions to the Faculty Senate.
Garrett was nominated for his leadership as Chair of the Faculty Senate Finance Committee. In this role, he worked extensively with the Division of Finance and Operations to address critical issues affecting faculty. One of his key efforts was looking into faculty compensation and bringing light to cases of salary compression and inversion—where newly hired or less experienced faculty earn salaries that are close to or even higher than those of more experienced colleagues. He has also helped faculty understand and prepare for the upcoming change to the University's budgeting system.
Garrett's collaborative approach and dedication made him well deserving of this honor, which is awarded to only two Faculty Senators each year. Congratulations to Jace Garrett on this well-deserved recognition.
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Charles D. and Katrina M. Way Faculty Fellowship
Assistant Professor Courtney E. Yazzie was awarded the 2025-2026 Charles D. and Katrina M. Way Faculty Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship provides critical financial support for research that benefits practitioners and students. She plans to use the funds to further her research in taxation, focusing on topics such as the effects of changing tax service providers and IRS monitoring. These topics not only have significant implications for professional practice by informing how firms manage tax compliance and advisory relationships, but also enhance student learning by providing real-world examples and insights that can be integrated into the classroom.
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Beta Gamma Sigma Induction
Beta Gamma Sigma honored John Ledbetter as its Faculty Initiate during this year's induction ceremony. The distinction recognizes professors who make a significant impact on students and the academic community.
Ledbetter was selected for this honor due to his commitment to students and his ability to create an engaging and supportive learning environment. His passion for teaching and dedication to his students' success have made a significant impact on the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business.
The Beta Gamma Sigma Faculty Initiate award serves as a testament to Ledbetter's exceptional contributions to the academic community and his continued efforts to shape the next generation of business leaders.
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Alumni Panel
Congratulations to Professor Erin Hawkins and the student advisory board for growing the Clemson Alumni Panel "Beyond the Ledger" to an attendance of 95 students in January 2025
A special thank you goes out to the Clemson alumni who participated as panelists, as well as student advisory board members who volunteered and BAP and IMA, who sponsored pizza for the event. As the organizer of the panel, Hawkins looks forward to continuing to hold this event once each semester.
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Professor of the Game
Congratulations to School of Accountancy Professor Nancy Harp for being recognized as the Faculty Member of the Game at last year's season opener against Appalachian State.
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College of Business Excellence Awards
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Kathryn Kisska-Schulze won the Senior Scholar Research Excellence Award. Nick Krupa won the Junior Scholar Research Excellence Award. Erin Hawkins won the Senior Teaching Excellence Award. Ryan Polk won the Junior Teaching Excellence Award. Jimmy Barnes won the Faculty Leadership Award.
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Powers Summer Research Grants are awarded annually to support and accelerate research productivity. The following faculty members received research grants for the summer of 2025: Marc Cussatt, Ph.D., Jace Garrett, Ph.D., and Courtney Yazzie, Ph.D.
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Faculty Research Spotlights
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This research highlights the importance of fostering higher-order thinking skills—like evaluation, analysis and creativity—in accounting education. Grounded in Bloom's Taxonomy and educator interviews, it offers practical strategies for integrating these skills into coursework to meet evolving industry needs. With AI capabilities rapidly expanding, the ability to think critically and creatively becomes essential for accounting graduates.
Andiola, L., Dalton, D., and Harp. N. Turnover Experiences in Public Accounting and Alumni’s Decisions to “Give Back.” Contemporary Accounting Research, forthcoming.
In this study, we survey 284 "leavers" (those who have left a public accounting firm) to gain a detailed understanding of actual turnover experiences. Our data provides rich insights regarding why individuals start thinking about leaving, how long they think about leaving before making the decision, whether they discuss their thoughts of leaving with others in the firm, whether they show warning signs, and what factors cause them to hesitate in deciding to leave. We also explore how leavers are treated during the exit phase and whether various aspects of their turnover experience impact their willingness to recommend their former firm for future work. In addition, we survey 84 "stayers" (experienced public accountants who remain in public accounting) to gain their perspectives on turnover events they have witnessed during their time in public accounting. By surveying both "leavers" and "stayers," we gather a large and rich dataset that provides multiple perspectives on the turnover experience in public accounting. Our results not only provide insights into the underlying factors influencing turnover but also indicate several places in the turnover decision process where firms can strategically intervene. Our results also show that several aspects of the turnover process affect alumni’s willingness to recommend/help their former firm after they leave.
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Faculty Publications
Andiola, L., DW Dalton, and NL Harp. "Turnover Experiences in Public Accounting and Alumni’s Decisions to 'Give Back.'" Contemporary Accounting Research, forthcoming, 2025.
Barnes, B., M Cussatt, DW Dalton, and NL Harp. "Overloaded and Overwhelmed: Weakened Partner Aspirations of Women Public Accountants During the COVID-19 Pandemic." Contemporary Accounting Research, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 2260–89, 2024.
Bonsall IV, S., B Mammadov, and B Zykaj. "Institutional Investors With Disciplinary History and CSR Behavior of Investee Firms." Journal of Business Ethics, pp. 1–28, 2025.
Boyle, E., S Dennis, BM Goodson, and C Pearson. "An Analysis of PCAOB Enforcement When Auditors Violate Fraud-Related Audit Standards." Journal of Forensic Accounting Research, forthcoming, 2025.
Burney, L., RR Radtke, and SK Widener. "Navigating Coercive Control in Organizations: A Study on Employee Responses and Outcomes." Behavioral Research in Accounting, pp. 1–25, 2024.
Davis, P. "Voices of Change: Race, Racism, and Colonization in Accounting." Ascending the Invisible Caste of the US Accounting Industry, pp. 23–34, 2025.
Douthit, J., JB Garrett, and D Way. "Prior Experience and the Effect of New Controls on the Development of Trust." Journal of Management Accounting Research, vol. 37, 2025.
Garrett, JB, K Helquist, S Smith, and WB Tayler. "Price Transparency and Patient Engagement: Social Messaging Matters." The American Journal of Managed Care, vol. 31, 2025.
Garrett, JB, GP McPhee, and D Way. "Motivating CSR Investment and Social Impact Through Relative Performance Information." Journal of Management Accounting Research, vol. 37, 2025.
Golden, J., B Mammadov, and H Vakilzadeh. "Does Corporate Culture Impact Tax Shelter? A Machine Learning Approach." International Review of Financial Analysis, vol. 96, 2024.
Hawk, H. "Unlocking the Potential: Enhancing Higher Order Thinking Skills in Accounting Education." Accounting Education, pp. 1–28, 2024.
Hawkins, EM. "The Influence of Communication Medium on Professional Skepticism in Auditor-Client Interactions." Accounting Horizons, forthcoming, 2024.
Holden, J., and K Kisska-Schulze. "The Taxable Future of College Sports." Alabama Law Review, forthcoming, 2025.
Kisska-Schulze, K., and R Bird. "Curbing Multinational Digital Tax Avoidance With the General Anti-Avoidance Rule." American Business Law Journal, forthcoming, 2025.
Lao, B., and GP McPhee. "Internal Information Quality and Corporate Social Responsibility Performance: An Analysis of CSR Strengths and CSR Concerns." Accounting and the Public Interest, vol. 24, 2024.
Shackelford, S., J Hiller, C Madrikis, I Nash, K Kisska-Schulze, and H Travis. "Moving Slow and Fixing Things." Indiana Law Journal, vol. 100, p. 1611, 2025.
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Phebe Davis-Culler, Ph.D.
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As the program coordinator for the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc), I am pleased to report that our program continues to demonstrate exceptional strength in a challenging enrollment environment. While many accounting graduate programs nationwide face declining numbers, our MPAcc program has maintained robust enrollment with over 100 students currently pursuing their degrees.
Our one-year intensive program has built a strong reputation for significantly advancing students' accounting knowledge and professional readiness. The program's accelerated format allows students to dive deep into advanced accounting concepts while gaining practical, industry-relevant skills that employers value.
Perhaps most notably, our MPAcc students continue to excel on the CPA examination. Many students successfully pass portions of the CPA exam before completing their degree, demonstrating both the quality of our curriculum and the dedication of our student body. This early success positions our graduates as highly competitive candidates in the job market.
The accounting profession is experiencing significant changes, particularly around licensing requirements and professional standards. Our faculty and administration are actively monitoring these developments to ensure our curriculum remains current and that our program continues to provide maximum value to students pursuing accounting careers.
We remain committed to evolving our program structure and content to meet the changing needs of the profession while maintaining the rigorous academic standards that have made Clemson's MPAcc program a preferred choice for aspiring accounting professionals.
The sustained strength of our program reflects both the quality of education we provide and the continued recognition by students and employers that a Clemson MPAcc degree opens doors to rewarding career opportunities in public accounting and beyond.
GO TIGERS!
Phebe Davis-Culler, Ph.D.
MPAcc Program Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor
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Mia Coll, a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) student at Clemson University, hails from Long Island, New York. With both parents working as accountants and meeting at an accounting firm in New York City, Coll jokes that accounting is in her blood.
Though she grew up surrounded by the field due to her parents' careers, Coll wasn’t sure if accounting was for her until she took her first high school accounting class. "I instantly knew I wanted to become an accountant," she said. "When I decided to attend Clemson, I declared accounting as my major and haven't looked back."
Coll earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with a minor in Finance in just three years. Completing her fourth year at Clemson, she excelled in the MPAcc program, a testament to her exceptional academic abilities and dedication. Despite being younger than many of her MPAcc peers, Coll's impressive accomplishments, including receiving the Deloitte LLP Achievement Award in April 2025, highlight her remarkable capability and commitment to her field.
During her time at Clemson, Coll demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to personal and professional development through her involvement in several organizations. Coll was an active member of Sigma Kappa sorority and served as a recruitment counselor for Panhellenic, helping new students navigate the recruiting process. She actively participated in Beta Alpha Psi, where she engaged in professional development, tutoring and community service. She also attended the Deloitte National Leadership Conference, where she networked with professionals and contributed to the Clemson Panhellenic Association as a Recruitment Counselor. Additionally, Mia has been an active member of Women in Business, Clemson Dancers and Sigma Kappa Sorority, where she served as Assistant Vice President of Finance, helping raise over $60,000 for the Alzheimer's Association.
A standout student, Coll has already passed all four parts of the CPA exam (on her first attempt), all while studying abroad and finishing the Master of Professional Accountancy program with a 4.0 GPA. Coll was recently honored with the Deloitte LLP Achievement Award, which recognizes academic excellence and potential in the profession. She also attended Deloitte's National Leadership Convention. After completing an internship with Deloitte, Coll accepted a position with the firm.
Upon her graduation in August 2025, Coll will begin her professional career as an Audit & Assurance Assistant at Deloitte's Jericho office on Long Island. Her success at Clemson sets the stage for a promising future in the accounting field.
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Clemson's Accounting Advisory Board plays an essential role in the School of Accountancy, helping us better prepare our accounting majors for the profession they will enter upon graduation. Our members provide practical insights on various issues, including how to incorporate curriculum changes best to ensure students acquire the skills needed in a constantly evolving global business environment. We are grateful to our continuing and new members. Thank you so much for all you do to support our students and the School of Accountancy!
Continuing Board Members
Mike Boliek (Elliott Davis)
Roselle Bonnoitt (Cherry Bekaert)
Lee Dixon (EY)
Jessica Donan (EY)
Cindy Fritz (Deloitte)
Aubrey Harrell (KPMG)
Melanie Johnson (Forvis Mazars)
Angie Pulley (Coca-Cola Ltd.)
Jon Ridgway (KPMG)
TJ Way (Wells Fargo)
New Board Members
Brent Johnson (KPMG)
Mark Randazza (Coca-Cola Company)
Blake Sieber (PwC)
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Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business School of Accountancy
Clemson, South Carolina 29634 | 864-656-3265| clemson.edu/business/accounting
Accountancy | Aerospace Studies | Economics | Financial Management
Graphic Communications | Management | Marketing | Military Leadership | Master of Business Administration
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