It is always a pleasure to provide an update on the Adkerson School of Accountancy to accounting alumni and other stakeholders. As you read my comments and navigate through this issue of the Bulldog Ledger, please join me in celebrating the accomplishments being made in the School.

In January 2024, a core + disciplines approach to the CPA exam will require all candidates to pass three core exam sections and one of three discipline sections. The faculty have reviewed the curricula and are making the necessary changes to ensure the content on the new exam is being covered. Over the past couple of years, data analytics were embedded across the curriculum, and a minor in accounting data analytics was added at the graduate level. As a result of these changes, I am confident that the undergraduate and graduate curricula are relevant and current and meet the needs of employers.

All of us in the School are acutely aware of the profession’s pipeline problem due to declining undergraduate enrollments and increased demand. We are addressing the enrollment issues in several ways. Although enrollment at the undergraduate level has leveled off, graduate enrollments (on-campus and online) are at an all-time high. This is attributed to the success of online graduate programs. The move to add online graduate programs was part of the School’s strategic plan, and by all accounts, it appears to be paying off. Internships are at their highest level in ten years, and placement of students for full-time employment continues to be near 100%. The level of internships and full-time placement is a testament to the quality of accounting students in the School.

We are excited to welcome two new tenure-track faculty for fall 2023 – Dr. Nicholas Cicone and Dr. Laurie Ereddia. Dr. Cicone received his PhD from the University of Florida. His primary teaching responsibility is Intermediate Accounting, and his research focus is on audit-related issues. Dr. Ereddia received her PhD from the University of Tennessee. Her primary teaching responsibility is also financial accounting, and her research focus is on audit committees, proxy statement disclosures and boardroom diversity. As with all of our faculty, Drs. Cicone and Ereddia bring diverse experiences and strengths to the program. I am confident that their contributions will have a positive impact on the School. I would also like to congratulate Dr. Kevin Ennis and Dr. Joe Faello on their retirements. Both are outstanding and dedicated accounting faculty on the Meridian campus, with 36 combined years of service.

The best part of being the Director of the Adkerson School of Accountancy is the relationships I have made with our Advisory Council, alumni and supporters. We recently created a subset of our advisory board for young professionals. The commitment of the Advisory Council and young professionals to Mississippi State University and the mission of the School is truly inspirational and one of the primary reasons that the School continues to excel. Thank you for being part of a premier accounting program that provides tremendous career opportunities to students in Mississippi and beyond.

I hope you enjoy reading the Bulldog Ledger. I think you will agree that there is a lot to celebrate in the Adkerson School of Accountancy. I encourage you to keep up-to-date with what is going on in the School by visiting our website and through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you for your continued support of the Adkerson School of Accountancy.

Hail State!

Dr. Shawn Mauldin
Director, Adkerson School of Accountancy

It is always a pleasure to provide an update on the Adkerson School of Accountancy to accounting alumni and other stakeholders. As you read my comments and navigate through this issue of the Bulldog Ledger, please join me in celebrating the accomplishments being made in the School.

In January 2024, a core + disciplines approach to the CPA exam will require all candidates to pass three core exam sections and one of three discipline sections. The faculty have reviewed the curricula and are making the necessary changes to ensure the content on the new exam is being covered. Over the past couple of years, data analytics were embedded across the curriculum, and a minor in accounting data analytics was added at the graduate level. As a result of these changes, I am confident that the undergraduate and graduate curricula are relevant and current and meet the needs of employers.

All of us in the School are acutely aware of the profession’s pipeline problem due to declining undergraduate enrollments and increased demand. We are addressing the enrollment issues in several ways. Although enrollment at the undergraduate level has leveled off, graduate enrollments (on-campus and online) are at an all-time high. This is attributed to the success of online graduate programs. The move to add online graduate programs was part of the School’s strategic plan, and by all accounts, it appears to be paying off. Internships are at their highest level in ten years, and placement of students for full-time employment continues to be near 100%. The level of internships and full-time placement is a testament to the quality of accounting students in the School.

We are excited to welcome two new tenure-track faculty for fall 2023 – Dr. Nicholas Cicone and Dr. Laurie Ereddia. Dr. Cicone received his PhD from the University of Florida. His primary teaching responsibility is Intermediate Accounting, and his research focus is on audit-related issues. Dr. Ereddia received her PhD from the University of Tennessee. Her primary teaching responsibility is also financial accounting, and her research focus is on audit committees, proxy statement disclosures and boardroom diversity. As with all of our faculty, Drs. Cicone and Ereddia bring diverse experiences and strengths to the program. I am confident that their contributions will have a positive impact on the School. I would also like to congratulate Dr. Kevin Ennis and Dr. Joe Faello on their retirements. Both are outstanding and dedicated accounting faculty on the Meridian campus, with 36 combined years of service.

The best part of being the Director of the Adkerson School of Accountancy is the relationships I have made with our Advisory Council, alumni and supporters. We recently created a subset of our advisory board for young professionals. The commitment of the Advisory Council and young professionals to Mississippi State University and the mission of the School is truly inspirational and one of the primary reasons that the School continues to excel. Thank you for being part of a premier accounting program that provides tremendous career opportunities to students in Mississippi and beyond.

I hope you enjoy reading the Bulldog Ledger. I think you will agree that there is a lot to celebrate in the Adkerson School of Accountancy. I encourage you to keep up-to-date with what is going on in the School by visiting our website and through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you for your continued support of the Adkerson School of Accountancy.

Hail State!

Dr. Shawn Mauldin
Director, Adkerson School of Accountancy