Summer is fast approaching, promising a much-needed break from the rapid pace of the Spring semester. As we bid farewell to finals, the students, teachers and staff that persevered these past 18 months through reimagined classrooms and administrative organization have much to be proud of. It seems especially appropriate this year, then, to observe National Higher Education Day (June 6). To do this, I sat down with MICPA member and recipient of the MICPA Accounting Teaching Excellence Award in 2020 Anthony Kurek to discuss what drew him to teaching.
While Tony does not have a Ph.D. in accounting, his professors at Eastern Michigan University spotted his potential during a tutor-lab he ran while pursuing his degree. The memory of his work with fellow classmates led to an eventual proposition to undertake a non-Ph.D. track to teaching at EMU. Intrigued, Tony left his then employer, Plante Moran, to explore the opportunity.
According to Tony, the CPA credential lends credibility to his ability to guide students through their education to their career despite not having a doctorate. He explains, “The credibility that comes with the title is huge…having the CPA behind my name really goes a long way in allowing them [students] to believe in me and what I have to say about the material.”
Having recently undergone the process of attaining his CPA himself, Tony also touches on the importance of messaging and early exposure to accounting in public education. Indeed, through the Michigan Accounting Foundation, the MICPA is working to make the CPA Exam more accessible by covering the cost of CPA Exam prep. Catch our full interview below to find out what you can do to help expand the CPA pipeline and spread the message regarding opportunities within the profession. Plus, don’t miss Tony’s tips for adapting curriculum to the upcoming CPA Exam changes.