Accounting at Puiuue

0niveisity

y: Alan Nukasa


a g e |

veiview
When someone says the word accounting all kinds oI diIIerent possibilities come up. Accounting
is the study oI tracking a businesses income and assets over a period oI time. It is crucial
in every business and organization everywhere because something always has to be
accounted Ior. With accounting comes the diIIerent type oI accountants like a public
accountant who concentrates on areas Irom tax planning to give advice to companies. The
advice includes things about certain subjects such as how to spend money more
eIIiciently. Another type oI accountant is a management accountant who not only
records, but analyzes the Iinancial inIormation oI their own company. Accounting is an
interesting Iield in the sense that you can learn on the job and once getting a degree there
is always a job available. Knowing that taxes, bookkeeping and audits are always going
to have to be accomplished, it is almost a no brainer that you will never need to be in
search oI a job.
Krannert School oI Management is one oI the top nationally ranked School Of
Management schools in the country. Students that go through the school studying
accounting tend to get the skills and resources that they need to succeed in the business
world. InIormative courses such as Intermediate Accounting II taught by Dr. Susan Watts
and Advanced Accounting by Mr. Robert Eskew are able to help students get a Ieel Ior
the material and know the certain things that will help them become successIul in that
Iield. The path Purdue University paves Ior the students oI accounting is very well
constructed and makes employers impressed when they see a degree oI accounting Irom a
prestigious university such as Purdue. Ask any proIessor, student, or even practitioner
they will all agree that once you get that degree to be an accountant the measures Ior
success are astronomical.

able of Contents
[Z`WZ`_
Cvervlew 1
lrom CuLslde Looklng ln 2
A rofessor's Word 4
SLudenL's SLaLe Cf Mlnd 3
rofesslonal on Lhe !ob 7
8eflecLlon 8
ClLaLlons 10
a g e |

useful Llnks 10

iom utsiue Looking in
The sun is beaming on me as I am opening the cold handles to get into the Rawls
building. I look around the halls as I can see that no one is present, but aIter turning the knob Ior
Rawls 1011, instantly a large number oI students in the room. As I walk up the steps, I see that
the majority oI the classroom, while seeing that white Iemales sit all the way in the back. To my
surprise there is a seat in the corner next to well-dressed women who asks me 'Are you in the
right class? I do not remember ever seeing you here?
With a smile, I answer, 'I am observing the class Ior a project in my English 106 class.
As I Iinished conversing with the girl, the teacher comes in through with a grin on her
Iace and looks around the room. As I
continue to observe I walk down to
talk to the teacher and she says 'Hey
Alan, my name is Dr. Susan Watts
and I teach the Management 351 class
here which is Intermediate
Accounting II. She talks about how
happy she is that I have an interest in
accounting and that she is honored to
have me observe. Dr. Susan Watts has
not only Bachelors, and Masters, but a
Doctorate in accounting Irom the
University oI Iowa.
BeIore talking to the rest oI
the class, Dr. Watts`s gives me notes
and talks about how she gives outlines
so she can show the students the
concepts through them. Just like that
Dr. Watts tells the class 'Happy
Monday ladies and gentlemen; hope
your weekend was great now let`s
start on some awesome Intermediate
Accounting II.
Not very much excitement comes Irom the students, but with the enthusiasm on Dr.
Watts Iace I got excited to learn! Since this class is an upper division class you have to keep in
mind the class is Iull oI juniors and seniors and so that means this class is a major Ioundation to
them progressing in their goals to work as accountants. As I pull out my notebook, I start looking
around the classroom to observe students and I can say that the amount oI coIIee cups and
laptops in Iront oI students surpassed what I had ever imagined. Outside conversations vanish
when Dr. Watt`s lowers the lights and puts on the overhead. She pulls up the outline on the
overhead so everyone can see and starts giving her lecture on pensions. All oI a sudden quietness
a g e |

Ialls upon the classroom so extreme that the air Irom the air conditioner in the room can be heard
and the tick-tock on the one clock in the room can actually be heard.
Lecture is being carried out and I notice that students with laptops either have their
Facebook uploaded or are surIing the web to see the newest dress that Rihanna is wearing. Dr.
Watt`s was going over notes that had students yawning, but she would interact with the class in
such a way that it made sense to the average person such as you and me. She is very distinct and
accurate in what she says and when a student would ask a question she would be on top oI it as iI
she knew the answer beIore the question was even asked. When she told students about how a
pension plan was responsible Ior investing employer contributions until the contributions plus
investment earnings are paid to the retired employees, students started asking good questions.
One good question was about how retirees can hold pensions and at what time is best to have one
and begin one. Even though there was a total oI seventeen students you could get the vibe that iI
Dr. Watt`s brings up a subject on which in the class, someone will give their input and see what
they get back. The good thing about seeing this was that it was not the same person asking a
question or answering one, it was always a diIIerent person and you could see the joy and
excitement on Dr. Watt`s Iace as she would clariIy her answers to people`s questions.
The great thing about how Dr. Watt`s keeps everyone engaged is she is able to tie real-
world experiences to the subject the students are taking notes. This being said, they not only have
background inIormation about how this part oI accounting is used, but also give them an
initiative to grasp the inIormation that the teacher is giving them. Overall just Irom observing the
class you can see that Dr. Watt`s is a Iun, outgoing teacher who is able to have the class engaged
in Iun , but at the same time inIormative inIormation so that it can better the students` knowledge
oI accounting skills. Intermediate Accounting II may seem like an intimidating class when one
Iirst hears it, but iI you have a classroom and teacher like Dr. Watt`s you should be in nothing
but good shape.

a g e |

A Piofessoi's Woiu
When meeting Dr. Susan Watts the Iirst time, you get the Ieeling that she is a lady who
loves her proIession and will do everything in her power to do it right. Not only does that come
out to be Iact, but you later Iind out she got her Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate all at the same
university which happens to be the University oI Iowa. Although oI course she decided to teach
at the best university put on this earth which is Purdue University! Knowing she is a studious and
dedicated person in the Iield oI accounting, I Iound it an honor when she gave me the time to sit
down with her so I could ask her some questions.
It was oI course an honor to get to interview Dr. Watts, but it was even more interesting
when beIore I started my interview, she asked me iI she could know some background
inIormation about me. Gladly I told her a brieI story oI my liIe and some oI the lessons and
morals that got me to be the person I am along with where I am today. Born in a small town in
northwest Iowa Dr. Susan Watts was used to small things and used to everyone knowing
everyone notion in her town. Originally coming Irom a Iamily oI pharmacists, it was abnormal
when she decided she wanted to take her talents to a new Iield named accounting. When I asked
her why; she said 'I thought at the economic time that since jobs were not saIe, accounting was a
saIe job and I knew I could always Iind a job.``
Knowing that she could be successIul she continued her education and never realized how Iun
accounting was until she started actually doing the things accountants have to do.
Now that she is a successIul person, she credits her drive and dedication and loves teaching
because she loves being inIormative to people. In regards to me she said it`s crucial that I do
certain things such as taking economic classes to doing clubs such as the Purdue Accounting
Association that could really help in accounting.
When talking about study abroad, she said 'Jobs
love to see that their employers have experienced
and lived in another culture and are able to work
with people throughout the world.
The best thing Dr. Susan Watts said and hit me
most deeply is when she talked about how personal
drive and integrity carry a person. 'II you work
hard and dedicate yourselI to your craIt you will be
able to perIect it.
That was a remarkable and touching advice Ior me
and that I will take and have in the back oI my head Ior the rest oI my liIe.
a g e |

To this day Dr. Susan Watts` takes nothing Ior granted and is always willing to help
anybody who is willing to put in the work and dedication.
tuuent's tate f Ninu
From the very beginning I knew that Jorydn Maxwell was a student that was diIIerent Irom
others that I had seen at Purdue University. She carries a certain charm and charisma that people
do not see very oIten these days. As I am sitting in the Krannert lobby area I see her come
towards me with a smile as she starts to tell me how excited she is to be interviewed by me. She
begins with telling me how she is a senior Irom Dallas, Texas
and how she longed to attend the school Purdue University aIter
hearing some inIormation about it. 'I knew aIter Iinding out
about Purdue, she said- 'that it was not only a good to school to
attend, but good Ior the major I was trying to get.
Now it gets interesting because Jordyn originally had the
intent oI majoring in history, but aIter talking to her Iather, and
other Iamily members she decided accounting would be a good
area in which to major. Not only were there many people in her
Iamily into accounting like her Iather, but also she had a love Ior
it and decided that accounting gave her the best chance oI
getting a job right out oI college. 'I always wanted to major in
an area that I knew I would love, but at the same time know that
I will be able to get a job as soon as I am out oI college.
Looking at the job market right now Jorydn knows she made the
right decision.
When it comes to majoring in accounting Jorydn says that it is vital to have time
management and to be well prepared. An agenda is needed since accounting can sometimes be a
stressIul area oI study that requires hard-work and dedication to succeed in the Iield oI study.
Jordyn stressed the importance oI reading all your textbooks and being able to pull out the
important concepts that you will need to know Ior the exams. Jordyn states, ' Once Accounting
starts requiring courses such as Tax Planning and Auditing you are going to not only have the
time to study, but know the important and right concepts to study so that you can succeed on the
exams and eventually the real job.
As our conversation continued I decided to ask Jordyn questions that could help me since
I wanted to be in her position Iour years Irom now. The career Iair came up as a thing that she
wished she had gone to as a Ireshman. She started giving me reasons to go, including the Iact
that it better prepared you and knowing Ireshman have little or no chance at getting an
internship, it is best to get your name out there. Jordyn went more into internships and told oI
a g e |

how she believed that sophomore year is a great time to get into one, so when you begin your
hard classes you can know certain concepts learned on the job. Along with that inIormation she
told oI how the club Beta Alpha Psa would look very inIluential and helping Ior accounting.
'Since Beta Alpha Psi is an organization in Krannert, it has to do with management, accounting
and economic strategies. Joining this shows jobs and organizations you believe in participating in
a club that will beneIit your community and help establish yourselI more as a person. She said.
We changed the subject when I asked her oI the best way proIessors could be a good
resource and she said, 'That proIessors are a good resource Ior anything.
She told oI how oIIice hours should be used and trying to know your proIessor on a personal
level. 'Not only can they be helpIul now, but during the Iuture when you need a recommendation
or even when you need a grade bumped up. They will more likely help you out than iI you were
just another random student looking to suck up with a week leIt in the semester.
The conversation was coming to a close, but Jorydn continued to talk to me even aIter I
was done interviewing her. She told oI how she was excited Ior attending Notre Dame next
semester since she was striving to get her Masters oI Business Administration Ior accounting
there. College can be stressIul at times she said, but learn to adapt and do not Iorget to enjoy it
because you are only a true college student once. Seeing how prepared and humbled Jorydn is it
makes me know that through my craIt oI hard work and conIidence I will be able to accomplish
all my goals. II I have the right mind-set and I am Iocused anything is possible.
a g e |

Piofessional on the }ob
When Iirst being introduced to Rebecca Nawase you can tell she is one that loves company, but
also one who is devoted to the words hard work and dedication. Born in Kampala, Uganda she
moved to the United States and striving Ior a degree in accounting got her undergraduate degree
at Strathmore College and her Masters oI Business Administration at Bentley College in
Massachusetts. AIter passing the CertiIied Public Accountancy test, she was able to become a
qualiIied Public Accountant and now works Ior the company Bain Capital in downtown Boston,
Massachusetts.
Being a CertiIied Public Accountant, Rebecca Nawase has been in and
seen the accounting Iield and knows the craIt and texture oI it. There are
many things accountants do such as preparing trail balances, reviewing
bank statements, preparing balance sheets, and even entering journal entries
Ior a company. Mrs. Nawase will tell you that even though it may seem to
be such a large amount oI work, it does not phase. Since a little child when
her Iather was a bookkeeper he kept telling her oI his love Ior her to be
an accountant and ever since then Iollowed her dream and is now
making a living oII it. Even though it is glamorous to have job such
as a CertiIied Public Accountant, making your resume good and
perIect will get you the accounting job you want. 'When it comes down to it your resume comes
down to your Grade Point Average and the clubs and internships that you part oI while being in
college. She said.
With the world changing, the accounting Iield has been revolutionized by internet and
Mrs. Nawase even says that internet has aIIected the Iield to a point that they are paperless. Since
the systems are all internet based it means that with no internet, no accounting work would be
done at work. Having computers may make it seems easy, but it is Iar Irom the truth when you
ask Mrs. Nawase who says that even though accounting is her love, the worst thing about the job
would be the long hours she has to works. I evaluated Irom that that even though you can
absolutely love your job aIter a while you tend to get tired oI the same old thing. She believes
since there are a lot oI hours you need to live on a schedule because once you add Iamily in there
you need to diIIerentiate the right amount oI time between your career and your liIe. 'I work
around a schedule because it not only prepares me Ior my work, but it gives me time to spend
with my husband and my kids who are the most important people in my liIe and help me know
why I work so hard.
The topic oI college came up and she started telling me how the class that inIluenced her
the most and helped her in accounting was the course Business management during a semester.
Having that course in her back pocket it opened up new windows and now looking down the
road she is happy she was a part oI the class. She states that the biggest change Irom college to
a g e |

where she is now would probably have to be having a Iamily and holding more responsibility
such as paying bills and taking the kids to school. We continued talking and the conversation
about internships came up and she emphasized how
important they are since they do not only give you job
experience, but also could lead you to have a position in
that company as soon as you graduate. 'Internships are
helpIul because you are able to establish yourselI within a
company and really pick up skills that you will need when
you actually work. I am happy that my company Bain
Capital has internships because it really trains these kids
and it is awesome to see a kid that was in an internship
three years ago Ior the company and now they work aside
me.
I Iinally had only one question leIt Ior Mrs. Nawase and that was iI she could go back
and change anything that she had done Irom college to now, and she simply smiled and said no.
She believes she made the right decision Irom the beginning and that everything that she could
have ever dreamed oI Iell in her lap and she is very thankIul Ior it. 'People always say iI they
could go back in time they would change something in their lives, and I say I would not. I was
able to major in a Iield I absolutely love; Iind a job that pays good and located in city. I was able
to meet a wonderIul man that I call my husband, and I have kids that are always happy and
smiling at me as soon as I get home no matter how hard the day was. So to answer your question
no, I would not change anything because I have everything I could ever dream oI. She said.
eflection
When I Iirst became interested in accounting it was when I went to go visit my cousin who was
in his oIIice analyzing and processing inIormation Ior accounting since he was an accountant.
AIter taking two years oI accounting in high school I decided Irom there that I wanted to not
only become an accountant, but to be a CertiIied Public Accountant. This decision came up
because I believe I am good in math, Irugal when it comes to money, and I am a trust worthy
individual that someone can count on to get the job done. In accounting I know a lot oI hard
work comes with the title oI being a CertiIied Public Accountant. They usually have to endure
tasks such as preparing balance sheets, reviewing bank statements, and even entering general
ledgers. Through all that I still believe I can be successIul in the Iield oI accounting and through
hard work and perseverance I will be able to carry that title one day.
I was actually able Ior the Iirst time say I was having Iun constructing a project in
English because oI this Disciplinary Report. It allowed me to come in contact with a proIessor,
student, and practitioner which are huge because iI anyone knows anything about my Iield oI
accounting no one will know better than those three people. Being able to sit down and talk to
a g e |

them was great Ior me because they were able to talk to me about accounting in general. With
that they also talked about just the things normal people talk about and the pointers they were
able to give me have and will go a long way since I can now stay connected with them. The
biggest pointer each oI the three gave me was that personal drive and integrity will always get
the work done. From that point Iorward I have always kept that in the back oI my head as I am
studying or even taking a test. Like Dr. Susan Watts said 'It is usually quality over quantity
when you get in this ball game oI accounting or work in general.

Being a CertiIied Public Accountant may seem hard and knowing that I have to pass the state
exam to have the title even makes it more intimidating. Although I know that with the right
philosophy and craIt it is possible and I know I can accomplish the goal. My goal in the long run
would be becoming the Accountant Ior a huge team like the New England Patriots or Boston
Celtics. The Iact being that I am Irom Boston and have always had a Iascination Ior sports. Just
knowing that I am an accountant I can help contribute to society by doing things such as helping
the elderly with the handling oI their money so they know they are making the right decision Ior
themselves. Knowing all this inIormation it is my intent as oI now to get my Bachelor`s degree
in accounting here at Purdue University and then either spend my next two years here Ior
graduate school or to go attend Duke University where I can get my Masters oI Business
Administration. AIter that I can take the CertiIied Public Accountant test, pass it and then be on
my way oI being a CertiIied Public Accountant.
This Ethnography helped me realize that I truly do want to be an accountant and I will be
good at it as long as I keep my eye on the ball. There will be road blocks on the journey, but I
a g e |

just have to learn how to drive over them iI I ever plan to meet and succeed on my goal. The
project also helped me polish in some areas such as my interview skills, in- depth analysis, and
the knowledge oI how to better present myselI to people. Through this whole project I was able
to learn so much and I am thankIul Ior that and now I am ready to continue embarking on the
goal I have had since stepping Ioot on this campus.
Citations

'Outside oI Krannert School oI Management Building October 11
th
, 2011
http://www.krannert.purdue.edu/programs/masters/old20Iolders20and20Iiles/FullTime/N
ewstudents/Home.asp

'Inside oI Krannert School oI Management Building October 18
th
, 2011
http://www.purdue.edu/uns/html3month/2001/010223.Rawls.award.html

'Dr. Susan Watts October 20
th
, 2011
http://www.krannert.purdue.edu/directory/bio.asp?usernameswatts

'Accountants and Auditors October 26
th
, 2011
http://www.citytowninIo.com/employment/accountants-and-auditors

'Unknown Female Photo: Rebecca Nawase October 26
th
, 2011
http://www.clker.com/clipart-Iemale-id-unknown.html

'Bain Capital October 27
th
, 2011
http://www.huIIingtonpost.com/2008/01/14/bain-buys-childcare-servin81440.html

'Firms October 28
th
, 2011
http://personal.georgiasouthern.edu/~yx00054/Firms.html


0seful Links
Welcome Accounting: http://www.careers-in-accounting.com/
Accountants and Auditors: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm



a g e |



a g e |