It makes sense that a lifelong learner would inspire others to be the same. That’s what St. Cloud State University (SCSU) has in Accounting Department Chair Kate Mooney.
An SCSU grad herself, today Mooney inspires fellow Huskies to pursue paths within the accounting profession. In the classroom, her focus is on upper-level courses aimed at juniors and seniors. Outside of the classroom, Mooney’s scope stretches much further, helping to shape accounting curriculum at SCSU and beyond.
Falling into education
A career in education wasn’t Mooney’s original intent. Instead, she planned to support her family as a CPA while her husband earned his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. But it quickly became apparent that, in a college town with many professional spouses, her best option would be to take a graduate assistant role within the university’s accounting program. With the university’s backing, Mooney was able to earn her Ph.D. as well.
“Graduate school was a great learning experience,” Mooney recalls. “It gave me everything I needed to be successful. But I really credit the accounting program at St. Cloud State. It truly prepared me for knowing technical accounting.”
With degrees in tow, the Mooneys moved their careers and family back to Minnesota. SCSU proved to be the right fit for both Kate and her husband, who is currently the university’s finance, insurance and real estate department chair.
Technology’s influence
SCSU’s high expectations for its accounting students have not changed since Mooney was a student. But the students themselves have. Today, students are much more tech-savvy, demanding an educational experience that meets their needs. From classroom equipment to online learning platforms, technology has proven to be one of the biggest change agents within SCSU’s accounting department. It has also been one of the most exciting.
“I walk into a classroom now and I have everything at my command,” Mooney says. “We are so lucky. Giant screens, outstanding audio; we have fabulous technology.”
Mooney kicks off every class with a visit to The Wall Street Journal’s website. It’s a rare day when a top headline doesn’t relate to a course topic. At the beginning of a semester, students tend to resist the activity, preferring to move on to the work at hand. But, by the end, it’s a favorite for many in the class, providing real-world examples for lessons learned in the textbook. It’s just one more way Mooney moves her students beyond debits and credits.
Technology has not necessarily made the lives of today’s accounting students any easier, however. Traditional learners are becoming a thing of the past. Today’s students often commute, have families or are working 20 or more hours a week on top of a full course load, forcing Mooney’s accounting department, like most schools, to accommodate.
A leader outside the classroom
Mooney’s dual background in education and accounting makes her a valuable resource off campus as well. She was appointed to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy’s (BOA) board of directors under the Pawlenty administration, where her curriculum expertise is an asset. She also serves on the BOA’s complaint committee.
Most recently, she served on the Pathways Commission, a study of the accounting profession organized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Her discussion group recommended changes to the scope of accounting education. Its key recommendation: Paint the accounting profession as going beyond bookkeeping to that exciting, challenging, fulfilling career so many students crave.
As for Mooney’s own exciting, challenging and fulfilling career, her only regret is not getting her feet wet early on in public accounting. She wishes she had those experiences to share with her students today. But, as a professor, she doesn’t see her role as pushing learners into a specific area of accounting. Instead, she helps guide the thought process and encourages students to follow their strengths.
“We do stress the CPA exam, though,” Mooney says. ”We feel it’s a credential that will serve you well wherever you are.” Just as it has for Mooney.