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Unprecedented. Challenging. Unusual.

Aaron Crabree

Over the past year, we filled a bingo card on how to describe our shared experience going through this pandemic. If there’s a silver lining to be found, it’s how at the School of Accountancy (SOA), we turned a year to remember for so many negative reasons into a landmark year.

Our faculty were named among the world’s best in the latest BYU Accounting Research Productivity Ranking. Ranked No. 5 worldwide for archival tax and No. 6 worldwide for archival audit research, Nebraska earned that recognition based on the total research output of the school’s faculty in the top 12 peer-reviewed accounting journals.

In February, the College of Business and SOA participated in a virtual Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Continuous Improvement Review (CIR). AACSB standards are used to evaluate a business school’s mission, operations, faculty qualifications and contributions, programs and other critical areas. Selected as part of a pilot group of 20 business schools, we adopted the new AACSB standards and met with the review team. AACSB recently notified us that the school and the college earned reaccreditation for the next five years.

Our most recent graduates increased our CPA exam pass rate (View Rates) as well. This is another way our students lead the future of business as we grow them into top talent for employers.

Based on employer feedback, we launched a new required class that merges the worlds of business and theater to prepare accounting students to communicate effectively in the workplace, even during the most unpredictable situations (Read Story). After its first two semesters, we’re seeing positive results in further developing this important soft skill in our students.

Furthermore, accounting is a service business, and we have to understand that we need to help our clients regardless of what we may have or not have in common. At Nebraska, we believe in the power of every person, so I was happy to work with a group of students to form a UNL chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (Read Story). This organization helps build a sense of belonging and provides a place where students can help each other succeed.

It is because of people like you and your continued support and engagement that we are able to do big things. After seven years serving as the school’s director, I will take on a new role at the college as associate dean for graduate programs and executive education in July. It has been an honor working to advance your alma mater as a leader in accounting education. I look forward to seeing you in the future in my new role.

Go Big Red!

aaron crabree signature in white

Aaron Crabtree
Director of the School of Accountancy

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Stories

Accounting Improv Course Bolsters Students’ Communication Skills
Accounting Improv Course Bolsters Students’ Communication Skills
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50 Years of Giving Back
50 Years of Giving Back
Read More
Building a Sense of Belonging Through National Association of Black Accountants
Building a Sense of Belonging Through National Association of Black Accountants
Read More
Research Weights First Impression Influences on Baseball Promotions
Research Weights First Impression Influences on Baseball Promotions
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Roger and Jeri Smith Invest in Students
Roger and Jeri Smith Invest in Students
Read More
Downes Research Clarifies Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Downes Research Clarifies Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Read More
Accounting Faculty Update
Accounting Faculty Update
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Reisdorff Pops as New Business Owner
Reisdorff Pops as New Business Owner
Read More
2020-21 Scholarships and Fellowships
2020-21 Scholarships and Fellowships
Read More
Klipp Shares Why She Gives Back
Klipp Shares Why She Gives Back
Read More
Koehler Shares Why He Passes It Forward
Koehler Shares Why He Passes It Forward
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CPA Pass Rates and Internship Data
CPA Pass Rates and Internship Data
Read More

50 Years of Giving Back

CURTISS SHOWS ENDURING COMMITMENT TO SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY
Jeff Curtiss

Jeffrey Curtiss, ’70 & ’71, began his journey in business learning the nuances of accounting while as an undergraduate student at the College of Business. He recognized the part his education played in his career success and started giving back to his alma mater after receiving his juris doctorate from Nebraska College of Law the following year.

“It seemed natural to me to give back to the institution that helped me achieve the success I had,” said Curtiss, who believes the combination of a business and law degree differentiated him from other graduates and presented him opportunities he otherwise would not have received. “My first gift to the university was in 1972 after I joined the Lincoln law firm of Nelson, Harding, Marchette, Leonard and Tate.”

A family lineage of Nebraska graduates and Husker pride also played a part in his decision to support his alma mater nearly 50 years ago. More than 100 years ago his grandfather, Herbert, received a juris doctorate from Nebraska in 1915. Over the years, his father, sister, son, uncles, cousins and nephew all graduated from Nebraska.

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Roger and Jeri Smith Invest in Students

SCHOLARSHIPS PAVE PATH FOR THE FUTURE
Smith Family

Growing up in Omaha, Roger heard adults discuss accounting as a lucrative and interesting profession. He enjoyed working with numbers and excelled in a bookkeeping course at Omaha Central High School. Looking to his future, scholarships enabled him to attend the College of Business, where he learned the values of flexibility and working with others with varied backgrounds and strengths.

“Every person contributes more effectively when they feel valued in the larger organization,” he said.

Mentors and the overall culture at the College of Business continued to guide Roger. His cost accounting professor, Dr. Laverne Cox, employed humor and encouraged students to enjoy themselves in and out of class. “A good lesson for life,” Roger recalled.

“After I began my first job, I realized what a great education I received from the College of Business,” he said. “The environment and Nebraska culture helped form my personality, which enabled me to succeed not just on education and skill but also a Midwestern sense of values and ability to distinguish right from wrong.”
Read Full Story

School of Accountancy Class Notes

Class Notes celebrate the milestones of our alumni during the past year, including promotions, awards, accomplishments, moves and more. These updates were submitted for the Nebraska Ledger directly by the alumni themselves or compiled from news clippings and corporate media releases. See where your colleagues are now.

Read Class Notes

Building a Sense of Belonging Through
National Association of Black Accountants

Read Story

Why Give Back?

Customize Your Gift to the School of Accountancy

During this uncertain time, be assured the School of Accountancy continues to fulfill our mission of inspiring lifetime learning at the leading edge of accounting education and research. Due to the resiliency of our students and faculty, we quickly adapted to and embraced new ways to teach, learn and conduct business. We appreciate the strong support and outreach from our SOA alumni and friends in helping us meet these challenges and prepare for the future.

Development Fund Faculty Development Fund Honors Scholarship Fund
THANK YOU! School of Accountancy Donors

School of Accountancy Advisory Board Junior School of Accountancy Advisory Board

Accounting Faculty Among Best In Research Output

BYU Accounting Research Productivity Ranking

Nebraska's School of Accountancy is No. 2 in Big Ten in the latest ranking, placing it in the top 15 percent for faculty research among over 600 national and international institutions measured. Nebraska earned the recognition based on the total research output of the school's faculty in the top 12 peer-reviewed accounting journals. The rankings are broken down into three distinct time periods—the past six years, the past 12 years and all publications since 1990—so that each year’s ranking builds on the previous year’s number.

Dr. Tom Omer Ranked #1 (tied) Research Producer in the World
by BYU Accounting Research Productivity Ranking (May 4, 2021)

#5

Archival Tax
Worldwide

#6

Archival Audit
Worldwide

Development TEam

The Nebraska Business
Development Team

Thank you to all our generous donors. If you would like to support the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, contact:

Post-Graduation Career Outcomes

94%

secured employment

or continued education within six months
of earning undergraduate degree

$50,082

average full-time starting salary

based on 47 reported salaries

96%

CPA Placement Rate

2018-2019

$4,000

average signing bonus

based on 13 reported signing bonuses

66%

remained in Nebraska

building the state’s work force

98%

secured employment

or continued education within six months of earning MPA

Find Nebraska Business on Social Media

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Contact

Crabtree, Aaron D
Aaron D. Crabtree
Associate Dean of Master's Programs and Executive Development, KPMG Faculty Fellow in Professional Accounting and Associate Professor of Accountancy
HLH 301 F
P.O. Box 880405
Lincoln, NE 68588-0405
402-472-9500
acrabtree2@unl.edu