Accounting Department establishes Advisory Council

March 4 , 2008 – Raleigh, NC -- The Department of Accounting at the North Carolina State University’s College of Management announced the formation of a new Accounting Advisory Council. The 19-member board held its first meeting Feb. 25, 2008, at the Cardinal Club in downtown Raleigh.

Members of the board will work with the college’s accounting department to ensure alignment of real world needs of today’s accounting professionals with the college’s curricula and student experiences.

“As we prepare individuals to enter the accounting profession, it is essential that we stay connected with those working in the field, to ensure that we continue to improve our curricula and that student experiences are in sync with real world needs,” said Frank Buckless, accounting department head.

“Our advisory board will assist with mentorship, reviewing our curriculum, and assisting us in developing relationships with those in the accounting business community, to help with recruiting and internships,” he said,

“We very much appreciate the support that the accounting professionals have already given to the college, enabling us to achieve top 20 status in less than 10 years,” Ira R. Weiss, dean of the NC State College of Management, said. “With their input and assistance, we can continue to achieve our goals of recruiting and preparing top accounting students. We can also continue to develop research and outreach programs that are relevant and impactful for today’s global marketplace.”

The College of Management offers a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a one-year Master of Accounting (MAC) Program. Both were ranked among the top 20 by The Accounting Report in 2007.

Following are the industry members of the Department of Accounting Advisory Council:

  • Greg Anglum, partner, Grant Thornton, LLP,­­ Raleigh, N.C.
  • Sarah Ashley, senior manager, KPMG, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Robert Brooks, executive director, North Carolina State Board of Examiners, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Peter Coode, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Debbie Dancy, director of human resources, Reznick Group, PC, Charlotte, N.C.
  • Walter Davenport, partner, Cherry Bekart & Holland, LLP, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Tracy Downing, president, RTP Professional Chapter of NABA, Cary, N.C.
  • Walt Flanagan, controller, global operations and quality, Nortel, RTP, N.C.
  • Genevia Gee Fulbright, president, COO, Fulbright & Fulbright, CPA, PA, RTP, N.C., and Trustee, AICPA Foundation
  • Jeff Henderson, deputy state auditor, Office of State Auditor, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Kimberly Maready, partner, Ernst & Young, Greensboro, N.C.
  • Gary Massey, senior consultant, Larson Allen, LLP, Charlotte, N.C.
  • John R. Morgan, chair-elect, NCACPA, Morrisville, N.C.
  • Carol Nelson, vice president-tax, Progress Energy, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Coley O’Shaughnessey, operations risk executive, consumer real estate – home equity, Bank of America, Charlotte, N.C.
  • Scott Ruby, director, tax services, RMS McGladrey, LLP, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Eric Shander, vice president, chief accountant, Lenovo, Morrisville, N.C.
  • Scott Wagner, partner, Dixon Hughes, PLLC, Raleigh, N.C.
  • Jimmy Watkins, partner, Deloitte, LLP, Charlotte, N.C.