MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
DEAR SOA ALUMNI, SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS, Welcome to the 2024 – 2025 annual report of the Kennesaw State School of Accountancy. This has been another exciting and eventful year. The SOA’s faculty, staff and students continue to make major strides on all fronts. This year’s report will highlight some of those efforts and notable achievements of the past academic year. One major accomplishment for the School and the Coles College this past fall was the positive Peer Review Team visit from AACSB International. The Accounting PRT report specifically commends the SOA for our faculty’s “outstanding” research activity and productivity. They also noted our “high level” of professional engagement through the School’s Internal Audit Center (IIA Center of Excellence) and the Financial Reporting Roundtable of the largest publicly traded companies headquartered in Georgia. The 100% career placement of our MAcc program and its high success rate on the CPA exam were also noted. We are certainly pleased with the positive reaccreditation report. The accounting honorary, Beta Alpha Psi remains a prestigious chapter on campus welcoming nearly 100 students each semester to connect in professional development, community service, and networking with metro Atlanta companies. Our chapter is made up of exceptional students and has been recognized as a Gold Chapter (formerly Superior) by Beta Alpha Psi International seven years in a row, a tribute to the student leadership of the chapter and the guidance of the co-advisors Shannon Shumate and Amanda York.
As noted above the Master of Accounting 2 in 2 program (both the MAcc and the CPA exam in two semesters) continues to have high demand for the cutting-edge graduate curriculum that not only includes advanced systems and analytics but also incorporates preparing and sitting for the CPA exam. This year’s graduating class had over 70% pass two or more parts of the exam before graduation. This program continues to give students the tools to jumpstart their careers in the accounting profession. The Michael J. Coles College of Business Ph.D. in Business Administration (Accounting) continues to be highly demanded. This innovative research program specifically prepares candidates for academic careers. Graduates from our Ph.D. program continue to be placed in tenure-track AACSB accredited faculty positions. Our alumni research output as ranked by BYU Accounting rankings continues ahead of many acclaimed research programs. It is a great honor to work with the faculty and staff of the School of Accountancy to serve the needs of our dedicated students as we prepare them for their future in the accounting profession. Whether you are an alum of the SOA, a Partner of our employer scholarship program, recruiter of our graduates or supporter and contributor to the vision and work of the SOA – Thank you for all you do on behalf of our students.
IN THIS ISSUE
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
3
ABOUT US
5
STUDENT NEWS
6
DEVELOPMENT
12
ADVISORY BOARD
14
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DANA HERMANSON
Go Owls!!!
15
FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
16
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: AARON GAGNON
21
Steven W. Smalt, Ph.D., CPA DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY
PHD ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
22
2
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY
3
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