By Michele Walker, ’97
Assurance Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

When asked to be member of the School of Accountancy Board, I wanted to give back by providing innovative curriculum and experiences for students. The goal was to encourage students to pursue not just a career in accounting, but also learn how accounting can be a springboard to many other careers. It’s a building block of business. You have to understand where you have been to know where you are going. In my current role, I work with many executives in the financial services industry and one common denominator is an undergraduate degree in accounting.

From the time I was a young girl in Waverly, Nebraska, I always wanted to be a Husker. A Regents Scholarship provided the opportunity and I am very grateful still to this day. I knew if able, I would give back to others as someone had done for me.

I have so many wonderful memories of college. Whether simulating an audit at a company, investing in a finance class or listening to stories in the compilation strategic management course, what I remember the most are the people. Professors who stand out the most are Dr. Nancy Stara and Dr. Paul Shoemaker. They provided practical examples and real-life scenarios in their classes. I was fortunate to work with each through student organizations – Undergraduate Women in Business and Beta Alpha Psi. I still have my Business Law book – West’s Business Law – in my library, but please don’t remind me what edition of the book is being used in classes today.

There are many fond memories from Dean Kathy Farrell’s finance course too. Once she shared a story about doing an inventory as part of her work at a Big 4 accounting firm. Even though we were learning finance concepts, she would relate back to her time working in public accounting. She was then, and still is now, a great example of how accounting can lead you to other careers.

I give back to both the school and the college, as I have been blessed in my career at Ernst & Young. It is due to the knowledge and experiences I received when attending college that I am successful in my professional career. I often counsel our staff at EY when the timing is right to move on from public accounting. My overarching comment for them is, as it should be for any student, to think about what goals you have set for yourself and what you want to achieve in your career. You can then align yourself with the right firm and find a role there to achieve your goals.