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Debra M. Cosgrove Photo

Debra M. Cosgrove

Professor of Practice in Accountancy
Accountancy
HLH 435 D
P.O. Box 880488
Lincoln, NE 68588-0488
(402) 472-2337
dcosgrove2@unl.edu
Debra M. Cosgrove Photo
Education
M.P.A, with emphasis in taxation, University of Nebraska Lincoln, 1989
B.S.B.A. with Emphasis in Accounting, With High Distinction, University of Nebraska Lincoln, 1988

Areas of Expertise
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Internal Control Integrated Framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
Appointments
  • Professor of Practice
Vita
Cosgrove.pdf
CliftonStrengths ®
  • Positivity
  • Includer

Deb Cosgrove joined the college in fall 2001 as a full-time lecturer and has since been promoted to full Professor of Practice. Her teaching responsibilities include Accounting Information Systems and Managerial Accounting. She has won several teaching awards, including Nebraska Society of CPAs Outstanding Educator, College of Business Administration Excellence in Teaching, Beta Alpha Psi Educator of the Year, and recognition by the Parents’ Association for her service to students. Cosgrove has been the faculty advisor for Beta Alpha Psi since 2004 and received awards for UNL New Advisor, UNL Advisor of the Year, and International Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Advisor.

Cosgrove graduated from UNL with BSBA in 1988 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 1989. She began her professional career in the tax department of the Arthur Andersen Omaha office. She earned her CPA license in 1991 and has maintained an active license since then. Cosgrove left Arthur Andersen in 1995 to accept a controller position at an Omaha advertising agency. She was ultimately promoted to Vice President of Finance over the six years she worked at the advertising agency.

Cosgrove is active in the American Accounting Association Information Systems section. She is also Member Development Director for the Accounting Information Systems Educator Association. She belongs to the AICPA and Nebraska Society of CPAs. Cosgrove has published teaching cases and projects.  She regularly reviews teaching cases and projects for publication, and presents at professional conferences.  She also owns an art and antique resell business.

Undergraduate Courses

Introduction to Managerial Accounting, ACCT 202 Fundamentals of accounting, reporting, and analysis to understand financial, managerial, and business concepts and practices.

Accounting Information Systems, ACCT 309 Examination of accounting system concepts, applications, and the process by which they are analyzed, designed, and implemented. Emphasis on management information and computer applications in financial accounting, auditing, and management accounting by means of case study analysis.

Advanced Accounting Information Systems, ACCT 409 Identify, document, evaluate, and suggest improvements to accounting information systems (AIS). Focus on impact of new technology on business transactions in an AIS, and how the information system influences and supports business decisions. Current events in the AIS field.

 

Awards
  • Distinguished Service Award, 2012
  • Dean's Coin, 2015
  • Nebraska Society of CPAs Outstanding Educator 2005
  • Excellence in Teaching Award for CBA 2004-05
  • Parents' Association Recognition for Contributions to Students, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06
  • Nebraska Society of CPAs Outstanding Educator
  • College of Business Administration Excellence in Teaching
  • Beta Alpha Psi Educator of the Year
  • UNL New Advisor
  • UNL Advisor of the Year
  • International Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Advisor