From ledgers to lecturers: A CPA's path to professor

Have you ever wondered how to get involved in the classroom, whether a small or large commitment, and be a driver for change in the accounting profession? 

Many CPAs have a strong interest in helping build the next generation of accountants, but may not know how to directly impact it. This article explores how CPAs can start their careers in higher education as an adjunct or full-time professor, even without a terminal degree. 

To start, CPAs can find rewarding opportunities as adjunct professors, balancing their professional careers with part-time teaching roles. Typically for these roles, a CPA license and master's degree are required. 

Serving as an adjunct allows CPAs to share their expertise and knowledge with aspiring accountants, enriching the educational experience, while giving back to the profession. These roles offer personal satisfaction as they witness the growth and development of their students, knowing that they are contributing to the future of the field. 

Managing a position as an adjunct while working full-time is feasible with proper time management and support from the primary employer. Many institutions offer flexible scheduling, allowing CPAs to teach evening or weekend classes. 

This dual role not only diversifies their professional activities, but also enhances their own skills and perspectives, making them more effective and well-rounded professionals, and can enhance an employer's recruiting efforts at that school. 

Making the jump to a full-time professor

Securing your first full-time faculty position in academia requires careful preparation and a strategic approach to the application process. 

The journey typically begins with identifying institutions that align with your career goals, research interests, and teaching philosophy. Some schools, even AACSB accredited schools, do not require a terminal degree for full-time and/or tenure track positions. Understanding these aspects will help you tailor your application to each institution, demonstrating how your experience and goals align with their needs.

Crafting a strong application involves four major elements:

1. Curriculum vitae: Your CV should be comprehensive, highlighting your academic qualifications, professional experience, research publications, teaching experience, and any service or leadership roles you've undertaken. For your first academic position, emphasize any experience that showcases your ability to contribute to both teaching and research. Include sections on conferences you've attended or presented at, workshops, and any professional certifications relevant to the field of accounting.
2. Cover letter: Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. It should be tailored to the specific institution and position, clearly stating why you are interested in the role and how you can contribute to the department. Highlight your teaching philosophy, research agenda, and how your background fits with the institution's goals. Mention any connections you have within the academic community that might be relevant, as this can show that you are well-integrated into the field.
3. Research statement: If you're applying to a research-focused institution, your research statement will be a critical part of your application. This document should outline your past research, current projects, and future research plans. Emphasize how your work contributes to the broader field of accounting and how you plan to involve students in your research. Showing that you have a clear, sustainable research agenda is key to convincing a hiring committee that you will be a valuable long-term asset to their faculty.
4. Teaching philosophy: A teaching statement or philosophy is often required and should reflect your approach to education, how you engage students, and your methods for fostering critical thinking and practical skills in the classroom. Provide examples of successful teaching experiences, student feedback, and innovative techniques you've used to enhance learning. If you have experience with online or hybrid teaching, this is also valuable to highlight, especially in the current academic environment.

Here are three keys to navigating the interview process:

1. Initial interviews: Many academic positions begin with a preliminary interview, often conducted via video conference. During this interview, you should be prepared to discuss your research and teaching experience, why you are interested in their institution, and how you see yourself contributing to their program. Be ready to answer questions about how you manage time between research and teaching, how you handle challenges in the classroom, and your long-term career goals.
2. Campus visits: If you advance to the next stage, you will likely be invited for an on-campus interview. This usually includes a research presentation, a teaching demonstration, meetings with faculty and administrators, and sometimes interactions with students. During the campus visit, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate your research clearly, engage with students, and show enthusiasm for contributing to the academic community.
3. Follow-up: After your interview, sending a thoughtful thank-you note to the faculty members and administrators you met with can leave a positive impression. This is also an opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and reflect briefly on any particularly meaningful conversations or observations you had during your visit.

Once you go through the application and interview process, below are some additional advantages and disadvantages you should consider to determine if the position is the right fit for you. 

• Advantage 1: One of the biggest advantages to obtaining a position as an accounting professor within higher education is the amount of time that you have off during the academic year and during the summer months. As a professor, you get the same breaks that the students do. This first advantage can be very appealing to many.
• Advantage 2: A second major advantage that a job in higher education entails is that there is no busy season like you see in almost every job inside and outside of public accounting. Unfortunately, due to the shortage of CPAs, traditional busy times or seasons have turned into perpetual busy seasons for experienced staff.
• Advantage 3: The sense of fulfillment that one gets from a career as a professor can be unparalleled. This type of profession allows you to share knowledge that you have gained from your time working in the profession and can be a significant contributor to your student's intellectual growth. 
• Advantage 4: Having autonomy within a job is something that many applicants seek. The amount of autonomy within higher education can be far more significant than a traditional job as an accountant for a business or a CPA working for a public accounting firm. In the world of academia, there is a tremendous amount of independence. You have the leisure to set your own schedule and be the captain of your own ship. 

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Although the pros can outweigh the cons, it is always important to consider what disadvantages a job like this could entail.

• Disadvantage 1: Unfortunately, a career within higher education may not have the earnings potential of a career in public accounting or industry. Depending upon a plethora of different factors at the specific college or university that you land a job at, your earnings can range from $75,000 and up.
• Disadvantage 2: One of the major advantages of working in public accounting is the opportunity for accelerated advancement. Unfortunately, within higher education, it may take up to six or seven years to advance to the next level. This could all be dependent upon the work you produce as a scholarly practitioner or even as simple as the reviews that you receive at the end of the semester by your students. 
• Disadvantage 3: Scholarship expectations for some universities can be incredibly demanding. Depending upon the university that you land a full time offer at, they might come with more rigorous scholarship expectations than at some of the smaller colleges or universities. On top of a heavy teaching and advising load, this can sometimes create a more challenging workload.

Did you know ...?

• Growing demand: The demand for accounting professors is on the rise. As the accounting profession continues to evolve with advancements in technology and regulatory changes, the need for qualified educators to train the next generation of accountants and CPAs has never been greater.
• Industry experience counts: Many academic institutions value real-world experience. If you've spent years in the industry, your practical knowledge can give you a unique edge in the classroom, bridging the gap between theory and practice for your students.
• PhDs are not the only path: While a PhD is a common requirement for full-time faculty positions, some universities offer alternative pathways, such as the AACSB Bridge Program, designed for experienced professionals who wish to transition into academia. Additionally, there are now many hybrid AACSB-accredited PhD and DBA programs that allow you to work and complete your terminal degree.
• Research isn't just for scientists: Accounting professors contribute to the field through research that influences policy, advances accounting practices, and shapes educational methods. Starting with small research projects or co-authoring with experienced researchers can be a great way to enter the academic world.
• A lifelong journey of learning: Becoming an accounting professor isn't just about teaching, it's also about continuous learning. Whether through research, attending conferences, or keeping up with industry trends, professors are lifelong learners. 

The importance of giving back

Throughout this process, it's important to keep in mind the broader purpose behind becoming an adjunct or fulltime professor: the urge to help others and give back to the accounting profession. 

This intrinsic motivation will not only fuel your efforts during the application process, but will also be evident to hiring committees. Institutions are looking for faculty who are not only skilled researchers and teachers, but who are also committed to mentoring students, advancing the profession, and contributing to the academic community.

By approaching the application process with a clear strategy, a strong understanding of the academic environment, and a genuine passion for teaching and research, you can successfully transition into a full-time faculty position and begin a rewarding career in academia.