Southern-Spring 2017

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The firm has hired
more than 20 BSC
accounting majors in
the last 25 years.
“Butch was managing
partner of our firm
and location for many
years, and in that time
was instrumental in
providing internship
opportunities to many
BSC students, including
me in 1992,” York
said. “Accounting is a
foundational block for
so many of the business
degrees that the college
either provides or
someday will … We
believe heavily in the
quality of students
that the college can
produce.”
That quality stems
in part from BSC’s
liberal arts tradition
and commitment to
experiential education.
Because they learn
communication and
critical thinking along
with the specific
skills required by
accountants, BSC
accounting majors are
primed for leadership
positions. In
addition, the college’s
curriculum allows
students to sit for the
CPA exam and enter
the job market within
four years, so they can
start employment in
September or October
of the year they
conduct their spring
internship. Recent
statistics show that
more than two-thirds
of BSC students pass the exam on the first try, the second-
highest rate in the state.
“This puts us ahead of the competition in having students job-
ready immediately following their internships and graduation,”
Robicheaux said. “Plus, BSC accounting students possess the
qualities that make for executive presence.”
For more information about funding the accounting
professorship or corporate giving, contact Jennifer Sholund ’95,
director of development, at (205) 226-4979 or .
Thanks in large part to generous corporate
sponsorship, Birmingham-Southern’s
accounting program is back on track.
The accounting major, which was trimmed
in 2009 due to financial constraints,
returned to campus in 2014, and Dr. George
Klersey rejoined the BSC faculty as associate
professor of accounting; Dr. Tracy Smith
joined the BSC faculty as assistant professor
this academic year. The college graduated
nine accounting majors in 2016 and an
additional 50 majors are in the pipeline.
“We’ve had tremendous demand for the
major from students and firms; about one-
third of our business majors want to focus on
accounting,” said Dr. Sara Helms Robicheaux
’97, interim vice president for advancement,
B.A. Monaghan Professor of Business, dean
of business programs, and director of the
Stump Entrepreneurship Program. “In
the processes of re-envisioning the new
accounting program, I had the opportunity
to meet with many accountants in
Birmingham who expressed their excitement
about the opportunity to hire BSC graduates
once again. Our accounting graduates are in
such high demand because firms know the
value of hiring accountants educated in a
liberal arts framework.”
To satisfy the demand, Robicheaux’s
department plans to add an endowed
professorship—thanks largely to local
financial services firms and individual donors.
To kick off the drive to raise $1.5 million for an endowed professorship,
Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, stepped up with a lead gift in honor of
James L. “Butch” Williams ’77, a national leader in business valuation and
former member of the BSC Board of Trustees. Additional funds have been
donated by Regions Bank, IBERIABANK, Warren Averett LLC, and many
BSC accounting alumni.
Williams, an accounting major himself who became managing partner
of Dixon Hughes, launched the careers of many Birmingham-Southern
accountants, said Tim York ’93, managing partner of DHG Dealerships.
40 / ’southern
PHILANTHROPY
Corporate
funding brings
back accounting
program
Major in high demand
The college hosted
an event to provide
business and accounting
students an opportunity
to meet face-to-face
with representatives of
international companies
to discuss internship and
career possibilities.