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| PAWS & REFLECT
Fall 2024, Volume 6
News from Clemson University's School of Accountancy
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The School of Accountancy continues to grow and thrive. Increased student demand for our classes resulted in our teaching 33,153 student credit hours during the 2023 to 2024 academic year! Our Master of Professional Accountancy program is ranked among the top 50 in the nation according to TFE Times and ranked 13 in the nation in the large-program CPA Exam Success Index according to Accounting Today. Unsurprisingly, our MPAcc graduates are highly sought after, and our placement rate is consistently at or near 100 percent. Regarding academic research, we are now recognized as the 39th school in worldwide research rankings for 2023. Our research faculty truly excel in their craft and remain leaders in our field's professional academy, the American Accounting Association.
As we focus on preparing our students for the ever-changing business landscape in which they will find themselves upon graduation, we have expanded our curriculum with new course offerings such as sports law and a creative inquiry focused on management information systems. We plan on offering a course dedicated to environmental, social and governance topics in accounting in Spring 2025. We can only continue to provide a top-notch program with cutting-edge classes due to our amazing faculty and staff, along with generous support from donors. 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 Associate Professor
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| - Department Changes
- ACAP Camp
- Student Highlights & Awards
- Student Organizations
- Alumni Spotlight
- Faculty Awards & Research
- MPAcc Program
- Advisory Board Members
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The School of Accountancy thanks Virginia Ward Vaughn for her many years of service.
Virginia Ward Vaughn retired after 30 years at Clemson. She impacted many students as she taught principles of accounting, cost accounting, individual income tax, corporate tax, negotiable instruments, retirement and estate planning and the legal environment of business during her time at Clemson.
Ward Vaughn has now returned to her home state of Hawaii, where she enjoys family, friends and the beautiful islands. She is active in efforts to protect the fragile ecosystem and share the unique cultural experience that is her home. Ward Vaughn is grateful for the opportunity to have experienced Clemson and South Carolina but is very happy to be home!
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Please join us in congratulating Brian Goodson, Nancy Harp and Babak Mammadov. Brian Goodson and Babak Mammadov were promoted to associate professor. Nancy Harp was promoted to full professor.
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Craig Hawkins joined the School of Accountancy this past spring as a lecturer teaching managerial accounting. Hawkins received a B.A. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After teaching high school Algebra I and pre-calculus for three years, he returned to the University of South Carolina and earned a Master of Accountancy. Hawkins worked for Elliott Davis as an auditor for three years and earned his CPA. After a mission trip to Nicaragua, where he worked with local students and teachers, Hawkins' passion for education resurfaced, and he is excited to be back in the classroom at Clemson. In his free time, Hawkins enjoys hiking and playing games with his wife, Assistant Professor Erin Hawkins, and his two children, a 5-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.
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Phillips Workman joins the School of Accountancy from a private legal practice with the Commercial Real Estate Group of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., in Greenville, South Carolina. Workman, an alumnus of the Clemson University Honors College, earned his Bachelor of Arts in history and political science in Tigertown, where he wrote for the sports page of The Tiger and played trombone in the Tiger Band. He received his J.D. as a salutatorian from the University of Georgia School of Law. During law school, he was selected to work as part of the Business Law Clinic and captained the UGA Law Dawg softball team. He is a native of Monticello, Georgia, best known as the principal filming location of the 1992 classic movie "My Cousin Vinny." Workman will initially be teaching the legal environment of business. An avid Atlanta Braves fan, Workman enjoys traveling to MLB and NFL games, playing piano and exploring breweries and distilleries with his partner, Molly.
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Kathryn Kisska-Schulze, J.D., LL.M.
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On July 1, 2024, Associate Professor Kathryn Kisska-Schulze was named the inaugural Associate Director of the School of Accountancy. Kathryn will serve as an extra point of contact for those wishing to engage with the School of Accountancy and will assist the Director of the School of Accountancy.
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ACCOUNTING CAREER AWARENESS PROGRAM (ACAP)
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Under the direction of Clinical Associate Professor Phebe Davis-Culler, the School of Accountancy and the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business hosted the first National Association of Black Accountants Accounting Career Awareness Program at Clemson. With the help of Helen Diamond-Steele, director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and in collaboration with NABA, minority high school students participated in the ACAP from July 21 through July 26.
The program selected 30 attendees to stay on Clemson's campus for the week to learn about careers in the field of accounting. While ACAP is a national program, Clemson's camp was the only program in South Carolina. The interest in the camp exceeded the original planned capacity, with almost 60 applicants for the 30 available spots. Read more about ACAP.
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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS & AWARDS
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A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Riley Dowling moved to Greenville, South Carolina, in fifth grade, where she attended Southside Christian through graduation in 2020. Dowling enjoyed a family-based childhood and feels blessed to call Charlotte and Greenville home. Dowling comes from a Clemson Family — both parents, her sister and her brother-in-law are Clemson graduates, and her younger brother currently attends Clemson.
Dowling recalls the emphasis her parents placed on service to Clemson while growing up, which is certainly a character trait that Dowling embodies today. Not only is she an excellent student, but Dowling was also active in the Clemson community throughout her time in school. While at Clemson, Dowling supported Alpha Delta Pi as the vice president of finance and served the Blue Key Honor Society as treasurer. Dowling also enjoyed her time as a tour guide with the Clemson University Guide Association and was an active member of the Student Alumni Council, where she could serve in her favorite role as ring director. Read Dowling's spotlight.
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In reviewing Whitney Lee's accolades and activities, it's hard not to wonder how she does it all! Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Lee is a thriving scholar and a successful student-athlete.
Initially a finance major, Lee realized her appreciation for accounting as she began taking the accounting classes required by her original major. In addition to enjoying her accounting classes, Lee had previously worked for an accounting firm during her senior year of high school. As she reflected on the tasks she was assigned during her internship, Lee decided that an accounting degree was something she wanted to pursue. Lee changed her major to accounting with a minor in finance and management information systems.
Lee plans to graduate in May 2026 and is a flourishing scholar with many accolades. Lee is a Clemson University Foundation Unrestricted Scholarship Endowment Recipient, a Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholar and a Doug Peacock Scholar. She has also been part of the Community for Undergraduate Business Students, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and is an active member of the Minority Business Student Association. Read Lee's spotlight.
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In the Spring of 2024, Associate Professor Kathryn Kisska-Schulze launched a new sports law course. The course examines legal issues applicable to U.S. amateur and professional sports. It gives students a better understanding of the interconnected relationship between sports and the law across three distinct areas: high school, intercollegiate and professional sports. Students are introduced to and analyze numerous current and historic U.S. court decisions that have impacted various sports-related parties, including athletes, teams, sports leagues, governing bodies, agents and third-party businesses. Legal topics explored in detail include contract law, antitrust and labor law, gender and racial equity in sports, intellectual property rights, constitutional law and tort law. Due to the magnitude of students interested in taking this course, Kisska-Schulze will offer two sections of the class in Spring 2025. Read more about the sports law class.
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The School of Accountancy hosted its first Beyond the Ledger: Clemson Alumni Panel in Spring 2024. The panel offered encouragement to current and potential accounting students and provided information on possible careers in accounting. Assistant Professor Erin Hawkins, the panel organizer and moderator, described the panel's goals: "I wanted to show students that there are many possible career paths with an accounting degree and to provide them with a more informal setting to ask questions." Clemson's student organizations, Beta Alpha Psi and the Institute of Management Accountants sponsored the event by providing pizza to attendees, and Assistant Professor Greg McPhee and Clinical Assistant Professor John Ledbetter assisted in planning the event. The panel was held across two evenings and featured recent Clemson graduates in various professional positions. "By featuring both public accounting, such as audit and tax, as well as more nuanced accounting positions, such as banking and industry, the School of Accountancy can really showcase the world of options a degree in accounting holds," stated Hawkins. After the panel's first successful meetings, we look forward to the continued success of the panel this Fall.
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Rome
Senior Lecturer Judson Jahn and Clinical Assistant Professor John Ledbetter guided 31 Clemson students on this summer's study abroad to Rome. Three courses were offered: Legal Environment of Business, Financial Accounting Concepts and Global Business Negotiation. Students completed the initial part of the courses online and finished the courses at the Pantheon Institute in Rome.
Classes met on weekday mornings and early afternoons, leaving the remainder of students' time for study, sightseeing and group activities. Group activities included orientation walking tours, an Italian culture and language crash course, a walking tour of historically notable Roman attractions, an Italian cooking class and a rooftop pizza party. One day, class times were rescheduled to allow students to experience a Papal Audience in Vatican City. Students also took a three-day tour of Tuscany, visiting the cities of Pienza, Orvieto and Montepulciano, which included a business tour of the Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano wine cellar. Read more about Rome.
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Oxford
This summer, 36 MPAcc students and 33 undergraduate students participated in study abroad programs at Oxford University. Students lived and learned at Magdalen College while taking courses from Clemson faculty (participating School of Accountancy faculty included Professor Emeritus Ralph Welton, Senior Lecturer Scott Toussaint, Associate Professor Jeremy Vinson and Principal Lecturer Suzy Pearse). Students attended seminars and lectures given by distinguished guests, including Professor David Drewry (Honorary Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University and Director for Natural Sciences at the UK Commission for UNESCO), Professor Jonathan Reynolds (Associate Professor of Marketing and Deputy Dean of the Oxford University Saïd Business School), Ian Gray (Executive Partner of Eversheds Sutherland law firm), Matt Hobbs (Sporting Director of Wolverhampton F.C., see photo) and others. Students took group excursions to historical sites, including Stratford-Upon-Avon (birthplace of William Shakespeare), where they attended a production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Many students traveled to other European countries in their free time, further adding to their experience of studying abroad. Formal dinners, speakers and cultural visits challenged students to consider the world through a different cultural and historical lens.
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Congratulations School of Accountancy Scholarship Winners
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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!
Lauren Best
Matthew Botta
Saundra Bowers
Jennifer Cagno
Elizabeth Chain
Maxwell Ephron
Donald Foss III
Renee Grendi
Grant Jacobson
Andy Lin
Morgan Littrell
Connor Mulvey
Emma Potter
Abby Riddle
Ashley Wagner
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Congratulations PCAOB Scholarship Winners
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Congratulations to Ruhma Afzal, Izabella Pichardo-Leiva and Kenia Martinez Soto for being selected as a PCAOB scholar and receiving a $15,000 scholarship for the 2024 to 2025 academic year!
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Congratulations SCACPA Scholarship Winners
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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 2024 to 2025 academic year listed below!
Margaret Carter
Elizabeth Chain
Savannah Chambers
Cathiana Germain
Dakota Peters
Kelly Price
John "Jack" Reiser
Jada Richardson
William Schaible
Keifer Shore
Molly Zazzaro
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Accounting Student Advisory Board
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This past academic year, Emma Burke, a recent School of Accountancy graduate, formed the Accounting Student Advisory Board. The formation of the Board was a passion project for Burke as she served as a representative on The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business Student Advisory Board. In the implementation process, she was assisted by Macy McCoy, a senior accounting student and the current Chair of the Board, who is excited to carry out Burke's vision alongside Aidan Walker, the vice chair. The members of the Board include Brady Beddingfield, Angela Bradley, Mia Costonis, Trevor Hanson, Jansen Hildman, Lauren Montgomery, Parker Moseley, David Neyland, Sara Osterhaus, Brayden Pyles, Blake Reiter and Tyler Sontz.
Like any new organization, the Board's initial focus will be solidifying bylaws and increasing awareness by participating in events. The Board looks forward to establishing its presence by helping with the School of Accountancy's alumni panels. Additional goals for the Board include establishing a social media presence, pursuing a community service initiative and understanding the needs of accounting students to shape the Board's future further. With these goals in mind, the Accounting Student Advisory Board is thrilled to start and leave a lasting impact on the department and the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business.
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Beta Alpha Psi continued to enrich its members' academic and professional lives through diverse activities. Students engaged in biweekly professional development events with accounting and finance industry experts from firms such as PwC, EY, Forvis Mazars and Deloitte. The chapter also sponsored various service initiatives, including the annual food drive for Paws Pantry, tutoring, card-making for Clemson Downs and volunteering at the Growing Green Family Farm.
The chapter again achieved Gold (formerly Superior) status, underscoring its commitment to excellence. Beta Alpha Psi took on an initiative to emphasize wellness with a new yoga event to promote mental and physical health among members. Beta Alpha Psi hosted a study event during finals week to support members' academic efforts, providing a space for collaborative learning and preparation. A significant highlight was the etiquette dinner, which enhanced professional conduct and networking skills. This event, sponsored by BDO and Mauldin & Jenkins, provided practical insights into business decorum and meal etiquette, preparing members for formal interactions in their future careers.
The year was also marked by important ceremonial events, with new member initiation and graduation ceremonies sponsored by GreerWalker in the fall and Forvis Mazars in the spring. The chapter grew significantly, expanding to include 160 dedicated members and candidates, reflecting its increasing influence and appeal within the student community.
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The Clemson Institute of Management Accountants student chapter hosted professionals from the private and government sectors, including the Robert Half agency, IRS Criminal Investigation Unit — Greenville Office, Norfolk Southern, Accountants One and Citizens Bank. Under the direction of Assistant Professor Babak Mammadov as advisor, 70-80 students attended each meeting this past year. These meetings allowed students to communicate with professionals from the corporate world and learn about potential accounting career paths.
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Kristi (McMichael) Coleman grew up near Lake Hartwell, South Carolina. She graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 2006 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2007. Coleman's professional career started as a staff accountant at Deloitte. She worked for Deloitte as an audit manager before joining the Carolina Panthers as a controller in 2014. In 2016, Coleman was promoted to director of finance. In 2019, Coleman led the due diligence process for the largest team sale in the history of the NFL at that time. In 2019, she was appointed vice president and CFO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment until February 2022, when she was named president of the Carolina Panthers. Coleman is responsible for the Panthers' business operations and works closely with the team's football operations, helping to ensure the alignment of organizational priorities and initiatives. Recently, Coleman was involved in the diligence and planning for the Panthers' $650 million stadium renovation. Coleman is one of the highest-ranking female executives in the NFL.
In 2020, the Charlotte Business Journal recognized Coleman as a "Forty Under 40" award winner. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Charlotte Sports Foundation, Queens University and the Charlotte Center City Partners. Coleman is a member of the Clemson President's Advisory Board and the Executive Leadership Council and serves on the Finance Committee of Girls on the Run.
Coleman believes that her opportunities at Clemson significantly contributed to her professional success. While taking advantage of the academics at Clemson is obvious, Coleman also believes that leveraging the opportunities outside of the classroom is extremely important. Investing time to get to know each of her professors and participating in her sorority and Beta Alpha Psi were all factors that enhanced her networking, leading to her internship and professional employment. Coleman exemplifies the Panthers' mantra, "Keep Pounding," meaning the endless pursuit of excellence in everything you do. Coleman has a strong work ethic and believes that wherever you are, whether in the classroom, at work or at home, it is essential to "be present and passionate" and focus intently on that activity. Coleman attributes much of her success to being an active listener, believing that "if you have a seat at the table, you don't always need to talk to be heard."
Coleman and her husband, Wade, have two sons, Thomas, age 7 and Charlie, age 5. Coleman makes time for herself by running daily if possible, and both her son's baseball, soccer and flag football games have become a great source of her family's spare time activities.
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FACULTY AWARDS & RESEARCH
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Faculty Awards and Honors
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Kathryn Kisska-Schulze, J.D., LL.M.
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Elliott Davis Professor
Congratulations to Associate Professor Kathryn Kisska-Schulze, who was named the inaugural Elliott Davis Professor. This professorship is for a two-year term. This award aims to recognize the outstanding work of one tenured faculty member in the School of Accountancy. The Elliott Davis Professor is recognized based on a distinguished research record, distinctive teaching and service achievement and demonstrated evidence of leadership in the department.
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Charles D. and Katrina M. Way Faculty Fellowship
Assistant Professor Marc Cussatt was awarded the 2024-2025 Charles D. and Katrina M. Way Faculty Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship provides critical financial support for research that benefits practitioners and students. Cussatt plans to use the funds to further his research utilizing eXtensible Business Reporting Language data. XBRL is a framework for exchanging business in a structured, machine-readable format. Compared to traditional commercial data aggregators, XBRL data offers a more comprehensive, detailed and authentic view of companies' financial statements. Thus, this approach provides an opportunity to uncover innovative insights often inaccessible through conventional data sources.
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Powers Distinguished Fellow and Powers Emerging Fellow
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Professor Derek Dalton recognized initially as a Powers Distinguished Fellow in 2021, was renewed as a fellow for the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Associate Professor Brian Goodson was named a Powers Emerging Fellow beginning in the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
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College of Business Excellence Awards
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Nancy Harp won the Senior Scholar Research Excellence Award. Brian Goodson won the Junior Scholar Research Excellence Award. Kathryn Kisska-Schulze won the Senior Teaching Excellence Award. Holly Hawk won the Junior Teaching Excellence Award. Jace Garrett won the Faculty Leadership Award.
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School of Accountancy Excellence Awards
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Elliott Davis generously sponsored cash awards and plaques for five School of Accountancy excellence awards. These awards are designed to recognize excellence amongst the faculty and staff in the School of Accountancy. Annieka Philo won the Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award. Marc Cussatt won the Graduate Teaching Excellence Award. Ryan Polk won the Teaching Innovation Award. Jace Garrett won the Overall Faculty Award. Anna McElreath won the Staff Excellence Award.
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Faculty Research Spotlights
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Microaggressions in the accounting academy: The Black experience.
Authors: Phebe Davis-Culler, Ph.D., Denise Dickins, Ph.D., Julia Higgs, Ph.D., Joseph Reid, Ph.D.
Journal of Business Ethics
This research examines the existence and impacts of microaggressions as a possible cause of the underrepresentation of Black Americans in the U.S. accounting academy. By interviewing Black accounting faculty about their experiences during their doctoral education and institutional hiring and promotion processes, the authors discover stories of degradation, stereotyping and exclusion (i.e., microaggressions) that participants report negatively impact their views of the academic accounting profession and increase their turnover intentions. Microaggressions committed against Black accounting faculty may contribute to underrepresentation that can be addressed through enlightenment, education and interaction. These findings are important as they fill gaps in related extant literature concerning microaggressions in the workplace and may help improve diversity and equity in the accounting academy.
Distinguishing between recurring and nonrecurring components of earnings using unobserved components modeling
Authors: Jesse Gardner, Ph.D., Richard Sloan, Ph.D., Joon Sang Yoon, Ph.D.
Journal of Accounting and Economics
Distinguishing between recurring and nonrecurring components of earnings is a critical task in financial analysis and valuation. Despite the importance of recurring earnings, they are becoming increasingly difficult to identify from financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. This study uses statistical modeling to obtain efficient ex-post estimates of the recurring and nonrecurring components of earnings. Results suggest that measures from standardized financial databases popular with academics and quantitative investors are significantly misspecified. This study then identifies certain misclassified items that drive misspecification and creates ex-ante algorithms to improve their classification.
Audit firm tenure disclosure and nonprofessional investors' perceptions of auditor independence: The mitigating effect of partner rotation disclosure
Authors: Sarah Judge, Ph.D., Brian Goodson, Ph.D., Chad Stefaniak, Ph.D.
Contemporary Accounting Research
Recent changes to the PCAOB's auditor reporting model, including the requirement to report firm tenure, are designed to promote transparency and bolster investor confidence in the audit process. However, this study provides evidence suggesting that, at least for firms with longer-tenured client relationships, firm tenure disclosure may have unintended consequences that undermine the PCAOB's primary intention. Specifically, results support that investors perceive the auditor as less independent of the client when the audit firm's tenure is disclosed in the audit report compared to when it is not disclosed. These perceptions of lower auditor independence then negatively affect the strength of investors' preference to invest in the auditor's client despite the company being the objectively optimal investment choice among a set of comparable choices. Importantly, this study also identifies a practical, low-cost intervention for audit firms. Specifically, when audit firms simultaneously disclose their compliance with engagement partner rotation requirements, the negative effects of firm tenure disclosure on investors' judgments are mitigated, and investors' judgments are similar regardless of whether or not firm tenure is disclosed.
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Faculty Publications
Barnes, B. G., M. Cussatt, P. Demeré, and N. L. Harp. 2024. "Can a viral blunder damage auditor brand name reputation? Evidence from Envelopegate." Journal of Accounting, Auditing & Finance, forthcoming.
Bowler, B., R. Carnes, N. Krupa, and D. Monk. 2024. "The accounting labor shortage: Challenges and initiatives." Journal of Government Financial Management 73.
Davis, P. L., A. M. Donnelly, and R. R. Radtke. 2024. "The importance of whistleblowing persistence in audit team member peer reporting: The impact of communication medium and client importance." Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting 26.
Gardner, J., R. G. Sloan, and J. S. Yoon. 2024. "Distinguishing between recurring and nonrecurring components of earnings using unobserved component modeling." Journal of Accounting and Economics 78.
S. Judge, Goodson, B. M., and C. M. Stefaniak. 2024. "Audit firm tenure disclosure and nonprofessional investors' perceptions of auditor independence: The mitigating effect of partner rotation disclosure." Contemporary Accounting Research, forthcoming.
Grenier, J. H., J. C. Robertson, C. A. Simon, and J. M. Vinson. 2024. "PCAOB inspections and auditor liability." Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, forthcoming.
Hawk, H. 2023. "Building higher-order thinking skills through assessment of user account access." AIS Educator Journal 18.
Hawkins, E. M., A. H. Newman, J. C. Robertson, C. Stefaniak, and J. M. Vinson. 2024. "Time out: Auditor perceptions and audit outcomes when moving away from a time-based budget audit model." Accounting Horizons, forthcoming.
Hawkins, E. M., A. M. Donnelly, J. Owens. 2024. "Does distrust matter more than trust? How audit judgment is influenced by inconsistent evidence." Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, forthcoming.
Hossain, M. M., B. Mammadov, and H. Vakilzadeh. 2024. "Friends in media: Implications of media connections for analyst forecast optimism." International Review of Financial Analysis 93.
Krupa, N. 2024. "The licensing and certification roles of the CPA license in the gig economy." Advances in Accounting 65.
Krupa, N., R. Lee, and J. W. Tucker. 2023. "Private loan disclosure covenants and public management guidance." Journal of Accounting, Auditing & Finance, forthcoming.
Kubick, T. R., T. C. Omer, and C. E. Yazzie. 2024. "Economic consequences of expanding sales tax nexus: Evidence from stock price reactions to the Wayfair decision." Journal of Accounting and Public Policy 44.
Polk, R. C., J. G. Lawson, and D. B. Gillette. 2024. "A critical analysis of the corporate alternative minimum tax." The ATA Journal of Legal Tax Research 22.
Polk, R. C., S. Buchheit, M. E. Riley, and M. S. Stone. 2024. "Shrinking the 13D disclosure window will benefit non-activist investors." Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance 32.
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Phebe Davis-Culler, Ph.D.
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As I reflect on my first year as the program coordinator for the MPAcc program, I am incredibly proud of the remarkable success the program is experiencing, marked by increased enrollment, impressive job placement rates and sustained CPA exam pass rates with the introduction of a new CPA exam model. We have seen a substantial increase in enrollment over the past year. The 17 percent increase in enrollment underscores our reputation as a leading choice for aspiring accounting professionals. This growth can be attributed to the MPAcc program's strong curriculum, exceptional faculty and the Department's commitment to providing a comprehensive and innovative educational experience.
Graduates of the MPAcc program continue to achieve outstanding success in the job market, with a 94 percent graduate job placement rate. The high placement rate is a testament to the program's alignment with the needs of employers. The MPAcc program's dedication to academic excellence is further demonstrated by our notable CPA exam pass rate. Graduates achieved an 80 percent pass rate on the first two parts of the exam taken during the 2023 to 2024 academic year (scores for other parts were not yet available at the time of this writing), which is significantly above the national average. This success results from the rigorous preparation and support provided by the program, including focused, instructor-led review sessions and assistance from experienced faculty members.
The increased enrollment, high job placement rates and excellent CPA pass rates are a testament to the hard work of our students and faculty. We remain committed to providing a top-tier educational experience that prepares our graduates for success in the accounting field.
GO TIGERS!
Phebe Davis-Culler, Ph.D.
MPAcc Program Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor
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Connor Mulvey majored in accounting and minored in financial management. Mulvey continued to excel while he completed his graduate degree in Clemson's MPAcc program. During his time at Clemson, Mulvey was active in the community and successful in his classes, completing three internships, the last of which secured Mulvey a full-time offer upon graduation from the MPAcc program. In addition to his class work, Mulvey participated in Beta Alpha Psi and Sigma Nu. Through these associations, Mulvey built meaningful connections and met fellow students with similar interests.
Mulvey reflects on his classes at Clemson and considers that although his most challenging classes were data analytics, accounting information systems and audit, these classes helped him prepare for the CPA exam and his internships. Mulvey also appreciates the value he gained from his finance classes, which have led him to understand better the importance of having a strong financial background in his personal and professional life. Read Mulvey's spotlight.
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Originally from Vietnam, Bic Tran earned her bachelor's degree in 2001 at the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City. She then moved to the U.S., where she studied English as a second language in Michigan. Soon after, she applied to Metro State University in Minnesota, where she earned her bachelor's degree in accounting in 2011. Moving with her husband in 2012 to the upstate of South Carolina, Tran began working at SEW-EURODRIVE, where she has since built her impressive career.
SEW-EURODRIVE is a leading global manufacturer of automation and motion control systems. With over 22,000 employees in 55 countries, SEW's U.S. headquarters is in Lyman, South Carolina, and is still a family-owned business with roots in Greenville. SEW-EURODRIVE serves many industries wherever manufactured products need to move. In South Carolina alone, one can find the company's products in many facilities, from Greenville-Spartanburg’s airport baggage handling to BMW's automotive manufacturing facility to food and beverage packaging and many more.
Beginning in human resources with SEW-EURODRIVE, Tran concentrated on benefit plan analysis, including the company's group health and retirement plans. In addition to these responsibilities, she took on an internal audit role for benefit plans. During this time, she returned to school part-time in Clemson's MPAcc program. Tran immediately began to incorporate her knowledge from the MPAcc program into her role at SEW-EURODRIVE. She could take the skills gained in her data analytics class back to work to arrange her work tasks more efficiently and save significant time.
With her knowledge and skills, Tran continued to grow in her roles at SEW-EURODRIVE and was promoted along the way. She now serves as SEW-EURODRIVE's Corporate Accounting Manager for the U.S., overseeing accounting across five SEW-EURODRIVE locations. Tran was also appointed Treasurer, an Officer of the U.S. Company.
In addition to her career advancements, she leads a full personal life. Tran enjoys flower arranging and gardening. Her son is a recent JL Mann High School graduate. Tran looks forward to watching her son succeed as an engineering student at the University of South Carolina. Her parents and brother live in Vietnam, and her sister resides in Paris. Tran also enjoys supporting the Greater than Us nonprofit, which seeks to help the surrounding community. Although Tran graduated from the MPAcc program in 2021, she has not stopped learning. She continues to advance her knowledge and has returned to audit a handful of classes to refresh her skills, focusing on applying that information to her current role.
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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)
Jessica Donan (EY)
Cindy Fritz (Deloitte)
Aubrey Harrell (KPMG)
Melanie Johnson (Forvis Mazars)
Angie Pulley (Coca-Cola Ltd.)
Jon Ridgway (KPMG)
Earl Stone (Deloitte)
TJ Way (Wells Fargo)
New Board Members
Lee Dixon (EY)
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
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