Kevin Crown believes the future belongs to professionals who can turn data into strategic decisions. To prepare, the Omaha, Nebraska, native enrolled in the online Master of Science in Business Analytics program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, combining his background in accounting with advanced analytics and pursuing the Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant certifications.
“What stood out to me about Nebraska’s program was the balance between technical analytics skills and their application to real business decision-making,” Crown said. “Many programs focus on programming or data science alone, but Nebraska emphasizes how analytics can be applied within areas like finance, operations and risk management.”
That focus became especially clear in Risk and Simulation Modeling (SCMA 837), a course that reinforced his decision to enroll at Nebraska.
“The course focuses on understanding uncertainty in business environments and using data and modeling techniques to evaluate different outcomes,” Crown said. “It helped me connect my accounting background with more advanced analytical tools in a way that feels very relevant to real business problems.”
Taught by David Olson, James & H.K. Stuart Chancellor’s Distinguished Chair in the Department of Supply Chain Management & Analytics at the College of Business, the class bridges theory and application.
“Risk and Simulation Modeling challenges students to embrace uncertainty and use data-driven tools to evaluate outcomes and guide better business decisions,” Olson said. “Kevin connected his prior experience in accounting to the advanced analytics in ways that directly strengthen real-world financial and operational strategies.”
Crown, who already passed the audit section of the Certified Public Accountant exam, plans to complete his CPA and CMA before his May 2027 graduation.
“Navigating graduate courses and professional certifications requires a lot of discipline, but the format and flexibility of Nebraska’s online M.S. in Business Analytics program makes it very manageable,” he said. "The asynchronous, fully online format and accelerated eight-week courses allow me to structure my schedule around coursework, rigorous CPA and CMA preparation, and leadership commitments while maintaining consistency and focus."
Crown also found time to continue his leadership experience through the Institute of Management Accountants. Attending his first leadership conference while an undergraduate student, he founded a chapter at the University of New Mexico, partnered with local firms, hosted events, provided scholarships, and helped the chapter earn IMBA Endorsed school status.
"I was selected as one of only two recipients worldwide to receive the IMA Century Scholarship, the organization's highest student award. It recognizes academic excellence, leadership and commitment to the profession and fully supported my graduate studies," Crown said.
This fall, he served on a student panel at the Institute of Management Accountants Student Leadership Conference in Cleveland, which focused on data analytics, artificial intelligence and the future of accounting. Todd Thornock, associate professor of accountancy at Nebraska and the first Academic Research Fellow for IMA, and Jina Morris, associate professor of practice, Master of Professional Accountancy coordinator and member of the IMA Platte Valley Chapter, supported his participation, and Morris helped secure chapter sponsorship to cover his travel and conference registration.
“Attending the conference as a panelist and Century Scholarship recipient was a full circle moment,” Crown said. “Drawing from my M.S. in Business Analytics coursework, I emphasized how AI will not replace accountants, but accountants who leverage AI will replace those who do not. I encouraged them to build digital fluency early in their careers.”
After graduation, Crown plans to pursue roles in financial advisory and professional services where accounting, analytics, and risk evaluation are applied to complex business problems.
"I am particularly interested in work that uses financial data and technology to improve decision-making and strengthen financial processes," he said.
This summer, Crown will put his skills into practice as an analyst intern at First National Bank of Omaha.
"The wide array of perspectives makes Nebraska's M.S. in Business Analytics program especially valuable because what we learn is applied to a wide range of business problems. It's strengthened my ability to think about organizations more holistically and shown how important it is for business professionals to understand both the financial side of organizations and the data that drives decision-making," Crown said. "I look forward to interning at FNBO and applying many of the analytical concepts in a real business environment."
