ACE Staff – School of Accounting Collaborative for Academic Excellence
Director
Melanie Harvey
Clinical Faculty, School of Accounting
Coordinator
Email: kaleb.fisher@okstate.edu
My name is Kaleb Fisher and I grew up in Davis, Oklahoma. When I first started college I had no idea what I wanted to major in, but I knew that I wanted to pursue some type of business degree. I started out as a finance major, but I soon discovered my passion for accounting after taking the introductory courses. Now I am a graduate student studying to obtain my Master’s Degree in accounting. Along the way, I have made a lot of good memories, and I have met a lot of amazing people. Here at OSU we have one of the greatest accounting programs in the region, and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to learn at such a prestigious university.
One thing I recommend to students is to try to get ahead early in the semester in every class that they take, and to treat every test like it is a final exam. Working hard during the beginning and middle of the semester makes finals a lot more manageable and stress free. I also encourage everyone to come to ACE if you need help. I went to ACE multiple times every week for some of my undergraduate classes, and I do not believe I would have been as successful in my classes if I had not come to ACE.
Student Workers
BS Accounting: May 2017
MS Accounting: May 2018
My name is Trevor Angell and I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma. When I decided to start looking at Universities to attend and majors to pursue it was an easy decision for me given that basically my who family had attended Oklahoma State and pursued accounting majors. So, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my fore fathers and am currently finishing up my bachelor’s degree in accounting as well as my masters in accounting. Along with the fact that I couldn’t let down my family, I really saw a lot of opportunities in the accounting industry that paid well and gave a lot of opportunity for career growth. I would recommend a career in accounting to anyone who is unsure about what they want to pursue. I would also recommend Oklahoma State’s accounting program to anyone, it has been an amazing experience studying accounting here and I have made a lot of great relationships and memories in the process.
Some advice I would give to a younger accounting student would be to use your energy and time wisely. Use time and energy to read your books, do practice problems, get to know your professors, and seek advice when needed, but don’t over exert yourself in this area. Use time and energy to make new friends, do what you love to do on your free time, and give back to the community. One of the most important things I have heard when becoming a successful business man/woman is to give back to the community that helped make you who you are, whether that is giving money, volunteering, or making an impact in the lives of those around you through tutoring or mentorship.
BS Accounting: May 2017
MS Accounting: December 2018
BS MIS: Information Assurance and BS Accounting: May 2017; MS Accounting: December 2018
My name is Amanda Brown, and I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I originally chose to come to OSU because of their Computer Science program, which was my major for the first two years of college. At that point, I decided to get a business minor in MIS: Information Assurance, which required me to take the first two Accounting courses. Partway through my Financial Accounting class, I was hooked! I loved figuring out the puzzle of balancing journal entries and creating financial statements, so I added Accounting as my second degree. After another semester of Computer Science, I converted that degree into a degree in MIS: Information Assurance and kept my Computer Science classes as a minor. Now, I am pursuing a MS in Accounting with an emphasis in MIS, and I know I have finally found the right career for me, despite how long it took me to get there!
My advice to accounting students is to form study groups for your classes. Discussing concepts with someone else, especially if you are the one explaining it to them, helps set those concepts in your mind. To give a good explanation, you have to understand what you are doing and why. Knowing these things is vital to doing well in your accounting classes, and it will help you in later classes if you understand accounting concepts instead of just memorizing them.
Hello! My name is Samantha Cheng and I am from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I chose to attend OSU because everyone is so friendly and welcoming. After my first campus visit, I knew it was the place for me. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career where I will be working with numbers. In elementary school, I thought I wanted to be a math teacher but I quickly changed my mind once I found out about accounting. I completed my bachelor’s degree in accounting in July and I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. The time I have spent learning about accounting at OSU has really opened my eyes to what the field of accounting has to offer. It is so much more than crunching numbers!
In order to succeed in your accounting classes, whether it is your major or not, you really need to put in the time and effort. Make sure you read the book before each class and try to understand your homework instead of memorizing the entries. Please don’t be afraid to ask questions! Your professors and those of us in ACE have all been in your shoes and we want to see you succed!!
Hey folks, my name is Cameron Cremin. I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I was groomed from a young age to be an Oklahoma State Cowboy. I started my academic career with the intent of eventually becoming a dentist. After taking my first entry-level biology class, however, I decided that I certainly did not want to become involved in dentistry.
As someone whose hatred of mathematics is second only to his hatred of the concept of a desk job, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up enjoying my accounting classes and their ramifications. Thus, I took the plunge into the Spears School of Business as a major of accounting, and never looked back.
Some advice that I would recommend to early students of accounting: if you ever find that your homework has become monotonous and frustrating, take a deep breath and reread the problem; oftentimes it is logic, not some form of math wizardry, that I have found to be the driving component behind accounting.
My hobbies include hunting, hiking, and reading. If you ever see me in ACE, don’t hesitate to ask me a question or simply say hello; I’m always happy to have a conversation!
Hello, my name is Edgar Delgadillo and I am from Enid, Oklahoma. I am currently in the graduate program and will be completing the program in summer of 2018. Upon graduating from Enid High School, I went on to attend and play college soccer at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. After graduating with my Associate’s degree, I decided the best option for my career would be to attend OSU as I heard nothing but great things about the accounting program here. I realized during my senior year in high school that I was very interested in accounting. I knew I wanted to obtain a degree in the business field and accounting just seemed to fit all my characteristics as a student. In addition, I heard how well off you could be as an accountant and the great job security. After taking my financial accounting class, I decided this was for me and here we are today.
My advice for younger accounting students would be to stay focused and determined from syllabus week to finals week. It is never too early to start studying for exams. Also, go out and start applying for internships early in your undergrad to have as much experience as possible before finishing your studies.
My name is John Dimond, and I was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. As a kid I
attended every OSU home football game and homecoming, so I fell in love with the university
at an early age. I really enjoyed my financial accounting class freshman year, and
that is when I decided I wanted to be an accounting major. I haven’t looked back since,
and now I am a sucker for a corny accounting joke. Outside of debits and credits,
I really love sports. There is truly nothing better than football season in Stillwater.
In order to succeed in accounting, you have to put in time and work. If you read the
textbook before coming to class and can understand how to do the assigned homework
problems instead of memorizing them, you will be on the right path to success.
BS Accounting: May 2017
MS Accounting: May 2018
Hi everyone! My name is Cassidy and I am from Colleyville, Texas. I grew up in a family full of Texas Longhorns but I ended up picking America’s brightest orange over burnt orange. I started out my freshman year as a Computer Science major but decided that was not the right career path for me. My older sister is a CPA and my family encouraged me to pursue an accounting degree because of all the job opportunities it offers. Accounting does not come naturally to me and I have to work very hard to succeed. However, I really enjoy the satisfaction of solving a problem and finding a solution. Accounting is kind of like a puzzle with numbers but when you find how they all fit together, it’s very rewarding.
I am also very involved with my sorority and regularly attend Yada, which is a student-led bible study that meets on Wednesday nights.
Here is my advice on how to succeed in accounting classes:
- Read the chapter before class and definitely do the practice problems that the professor
assigns. This will help you so much!
- Make friends and form study groups – this is also a great support system to have!
- Go to class and ask questions if you have them. Engaging the professor always helps
you and others in your class.
- Never be afraid to go to the office hours for your professor and GA and ask them questions.
They want you to succeed and are very knowledgeable.
- Never get discouraged. Accounting is very challenging but rewarding. If you ever need a pep talk, come to ACE! We’re all about an encouraging environment!
My name is Zainab Gondal and I grew up in Checotah, OK. When I first started at Oklahoma State I was a part of the business college but was undecided. At the end of freshmen year although I was still unsure of what major I wanted to declare I decided to go with accounting. Accounting is a major that requires a lot of time and hard work. You need to practice the concepts a few times and understand the reason why you’re making a certain entry instead of trying to memorize. When your professor tells you that T-accounts and journal entries are your friends – listen to them. That feeling you get when it finally starts to sink in and makes sense is the best. A couple of things I love about being an accounting student at the Spears School of Business are the endless job opportunities and study abroad. While at OSU I would recommend taking advantage of those opportunities by going to the career fair and enrolling in a course to travel aboard. I am not the most traditional student and commute from Tulsa or take classes online. I work at ACE in Tulsa so if you’re nearby and want to talk out some accounting concepts that you need to better understand, come see me.
HI! My name is Caroline Kuper and I am from The Woodlands, TX. When I was in high school, I was unsure what major to declare. While many people, including teachers, encouraged me to be an engineer, I decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps and attend his alma mater, OSU, to earn a degree in accounting. At first, I was nervous tackling the accounting classes, but soon found the subject very interesting and enjoyable. I am excited to be in grad school and look forward to earning my CPA really soon!
My advice to accounting students is to always do the homework and any bonus points the professor offers. The homework will help you learn the information and do better on tests, plus will help boost your overall grade!
My name is Paige Mackey and I am from Afton, Oklahoma. I knew I wanted to attend Oklahoma State University at 9 years old after attending my first OSU football game with 4-H. Upon graduating high school in 2013, I attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M(NEO). My advisor at NEO was an accounting professor and encouraged me to give financial accounting a chance. So I did, and as they say, the rest is history. I received my associates degree from NEO in December of 2014 and transferred to OSU the following spring. Aside from ACE and accounting, I am obsessed with Harry Potter, red dirt music, crafting, and my 2 dogs and 2 cats (ask me to see pictures, you won’t be disappointed). My tip for accounting students would be to ask why. In my opinion, when you understand the why, the application becomes easier. Also, don’t avoid taking a professor that has a reputation of being hard or strict. Those professors are the ones that will challenge you to work hard and reach your full potential. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
Hi! My name is Ryan Minear and I am from Wichita, Kansas. After living my entire life in Wichita, I decided I needed to get out of my comfort zone and go somewhere different for college. One of our family friends was an Oklahoma State alumnus and he invited our family to attend a couple of football games down in Stillwater with him. After visiting Stillwater on game days a couple of times, I knew Oklahoma State was the place for me. Coming into college, I thought I wanted to go into dentistry, until I saw how much science that would involve… Then I decided that maybe I should give the Spears School of Business a try. My Dad was a CPA and he suggested that I try Accounting. After taking financial accounting my freshman year, I knew Accounting was the right path for me. When I am not staring at a financial statement, I enjoy watching sports or trying something new on Netflix (if you have any suggestions on what to watch, be sure to stop by and let me know)! My advice for accounting courses is to read the textbook and attempt the homework before coming to class. If you are like me, the textbook and the homework may not make sense at first. But after going to class and asking the professor questions, the material will begin to click for you. Also, while it is important to pay attention in class, become friends with some of your classmates! Getting together with fellow classmates and walking through practice problems together will be a great way to not only review for tests, but to also make friends with other students who have the same major and interests as you. While the courses may get challenging at times, Accounting is a rewarding major that offers plenty of great, diverse job opportunities.
Hi everyone! My name is Kelsey Ray, and I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was honestly all over the place while trying to choose a major. I began as a pre-med major with aspirations to go to medical school, but was quickly discouraged at orientation upon finding out that that would entail taking 18 hours a semester and having no life. My honors advisor then suggested enrolling as an undecided business major until I had a clearer idea of what I’d like to do. From Freshman to Junior year, I mentally changed my major to everything from Secondary Education to nearly every major in the business school. I finally decided between Finance and Accounting while taking Intermediate II with Dr. Schwartz, where I realized how much I enjoyed the challenge and detail-orientation of accounting. I am so thankful I made this decision, as it has opened endless doors for me and provided many great experiences through internships. In addition, due to the small group of students in each accounting class, I have met some great friends that I love having all of my classes with!
The best advice I have for younger accounting students is to not be discouraged and to work hard. Accounting really is like another language, and it takes time, effort and patience to understand most concepts! Reading the material before class, taking handwritten notes, and working and re-working problems has helped me tremendously. In addition, the absolute best way to solidify your understanding is to teach the material to someone else. Lastly, come visit us at ACE! We are here to encourage, assist, and guide you into becoming the best accountant possible.
My name is Nour Shaban and I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I originally started out at OSU as an engineering major but quickly realized that it was not for me. Switching to accounting has been the best decision I have made in my college career. I have been given the opportunity to travel, meet new people, and experience things I never would have otherwise. Accounting is not an easy major, but if you really put the work into it, it will be completely worth it. I would say practice is key- do homework problems over and over and over again and do not fall behind in your classes. Remember that it’s okay not to understand certain things, but make sure you talk to someone about it because your accounting courses will continue to build off one another.
Hey guys! My name is Madison Taylor and I am a senior accounting major from Skiatook, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State was always my one and only option for pursuing my degree, and I have loved every second of my time here! If I’m not in ACE, I am probably at the library, Boomer Lake, or just hanging out with my friends somewhere.
I had a pretty easy time choosing accounting, mainly because I am not good at anything science-related, nor am I good at writing papers, which pretty much left me with math. Even though I quickly learned that accounting doesn’t have as much to do with math as I anticipated, I still stuck with it throughout my college experience.
My best advice for students in any accounting class would be to manage your time wisely!! Prioritizing studying will help you achieve the grade you are striving for, even if that means making a sacrifice with your time here and there. If you are having trouble studying, head to a quiet place with no distractions (basement of Edmon Low) so that you can focus!!
Hi there, I’m Jacky Tsang from Hong Kong, China. When I had a chance to come visit my brother once six years ago, I knew OSU is the place I wanted to achieve my degree. I decided to get my accounting degree since I was in high school even though I wasn’t a good math student by that time. After getting more understandings on accounting, I found out that it is not all about math but detail-oriented. Accounting is not easy for me but I kept telling myself to be better and here I am in the Master’s program. I did not regret my decision because of all the opportunities and great learning experiences.
My advice would be to do not fall behind in class. Accounting knowledge is based on how much practices you put on it and it is all related and accumulative. Make sure you understand the concepts not memorize all the general entries. Do not study one day before the exam. Accounting is challenging but not if you are well-prepared, and we are all here to help.
Hi everyone, I’m Evan Waggerman – I started at Oklahoma State University as a piano performance major before I quickly realized that I needed to make some money. Upon this realization, I took myself over to Life Sciences East, got my student record, took it over to the one and only Spears School of Business, and walked into the advising office where I was met with doubt and concern: “are you sure you want to switch to accounting?”, “that’s a pretty big leap”, “are you sure you can do it?”. At first I was discouraged, but now I am excelling in the accounting masters program and will graduate with my second accounting degree in May 2018. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, and if they do, prove them wrong.
I look forward to working with students in the School of Accounting Collaborative for Academic Excellence (ACE). It’s my pleasure to help groom the future of the profession by imparting my accumulated accounting knowledge. Here are some tips for success: read your accounting textbooks, do every practice problem until you understand the underlying process, do your homework assignments, ask questions inside and outside of class, and go talk to your professors.
When I’m not making my debits equal my credits, you can find me seated behind a piano playing the great musical works of Bach, Debussy, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and many others, watching Netflix, walking around Boomer Lake, or hanging out with friends. I have had two internships at, and accepted a full-time assurance position with, Ernst & Young in Dallas, TX. Accounting has opened some incredible doors for me and my future and it will for you too.
My name is Sofie White, and I am from Frisco, Texas. I am initially from Phoenix, Arizona, and am the daughter of two OSU alumni. It’s safe to say that orange runs in my blood! There are also many accounting ties in my family, as my aunt and uncle (who also attended OSU) are accountants. So from a young age, I was groomed to be a future OSU accounting student! Taking my initial accounting classes made me realize the great opportunities that accounting has to offer. An accounting degree provides numerous job opportunities and a variety of career paths. While my classes have definitely provided some challenges, I have learned that the rewards offered on the other side make it worthwhile.
What really has helped me through my accounting classes is taking the initiative to ask for help when I need it. Whether it be my professors or ACE tutors, the support staff for OSU accounting students is hard to match. It is unique to attend a university that has such a rich business heritage and alumni base. The support and investment from alumni is not found most places. OSU is such a special place, so take the time to enjoy it! It truly has been a fantastic experience!