As this issue of The Nebraska Ledger was being created, the spread of COVID-19 continued in the U.S. and started a time of unprecedented change at the University of Nebraska. In order to be proactive, classes were suspended March 16-20 and students were encouraged to return home as our faculty began preparing for online delivery of courses.

While our accounting students left, they needed technology and internet service sufficient for online learning at home. When faculty and staff started working from home, seemingly overnight, it was necessary for communications – from department meetings to office hours – to be held via Zoom. As many of us quickly transitioned our courses in Canvas and utilized tools like VidGrid and YellowDig. We also struggled for internet bandwidth because our own children were taking remote courses.

Through hard work and resilience, our faculty used their expertise and talents to start teaching remotely on March 30. As a department, we held daily Zoom meetings to connect with each other or commiserate and share best practices. Because they believe in the power of every person, they also connect with students through phone calls and remote office hours. We appreciate our students for stepping up to this challenge alongside us. These same qualities, strengths and effort are used by our SOA community in the stories inside this Nebraska Ledger.

Kelli Saunders built bridges between the internal audit and fraud examination communities. She also earned a very rare third grant from the Center for Audit Quality to run experiments through professional auditors.

Tom Omer, ranked second in the world for accounting research in BYU Research Rankings, and Tom Kubick, ranked No. 20 in tax research in the last six years, collaborated to examine the effects of clawbacks in Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Named a Seacrest Teaching Fellow, Amanda Gonzales received funding to research methods of enhancing the dynamics of teamwork utilizing a team charter created by her students.

Biyu Wu saw a greater need for using research to tell stories of effective internal auditing control while working at PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Even through adversity, our teaching, research and service continues. We will return to teach and learn inside Howard L. Hawks Hall. Until then, we will continue our work remotely to make our School of Accountancy the leader in accounting education. I hope this issue provides good news when we most need it and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Go Big Red!

Aaron D. Crabtree
Director, School of Accountancy