The joy of accounting
In March 2024, the online professional journal “Accountancy Age” published results of a survey indicating that inaccurate stereotypes of accountants as “stuffy and dull” remain attached to the profession. The people who still hold onto those stereotypes have clearly never met Richard Greene, M.A., CPA, assistant professor and coordinator of the accounting program at Lenoir-Rhyne University, whose sense of humor, animated delivery and warm encouragement have made him a favorite among his students.
“One of the most motivating things about Richard is that he treats us as equals, and he cares deeply about his students and their success,” shared accounting major Nathan Kidder ’25. “We learn a lot in his classes because he leads engaging discussions and welcomes questions. There’s never a dull moment, and it’s always fun to hear his stories from his own experiences.”
Real-world experience and understanding are central to Greene’s approach to preparing his students to join the workforce. He still practices as a certified public accountant (CPA) in a firm with his wife, which gives him plenty of material to share with his classes.
“They call them ‘Richard’s War Stories,’” said Greene with a chuckle. “Our adjunct professors are also CPA licensed – all our students are studying with active, practicing CPAs. It’s a way to show them what our work looks like in practice and what to expect before they go out into the field.”
Because Greene and his colleagues remain active in local professional circles and have consulted and served on committees statewide, accounting majors at LR have access to some unique and valuable opportunities.
“Accountants are in such high demand right now, and we have strong partnerships and good relationships with local firms, so we’re able to offer 100 percent of our students paid internships with local accounting firms,” Greene shared. “We also routinely see a 100 percent job placement rate soon after graduation. Starting salaries are between 50 and 60 thousand a year for staff accountants even before CPA licensure. It’s a good job.”
Students at LR can choose to complete their accounting major with or without completing the CPA track, which involves coursework that provides intense preparation for the CPA exam. Widely known as one of the most challenging professional exams in the United States, the CPA exam comprises four parts that can take up to 30 months to complete – if the taker passes all the sections.
“The pass rate for each section is about 50 percent, and if you don’t pass a section, you have to start over from the beginning,” Greene explained. “So, most CPAs take the exam more than once before they finish, which is why we’ve worked with local firms and businesses to establish a fund that pays for each of our students to take their first round of the CPA exam. It’s something to make the process a little easier for them.”
One of the most significant real-world experiences Greene has provided for his students was arranging for Lenoir-Rhyne to host the fall 2024 meeting of the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners – a seven-member oversight board that coincidentally includes LR accounting alumnus Mickey Payseur ’76.
“At these meetings, the board certifies credentials for new CPAs and also addresses disciplinary cases for ethics violations,” said Greene. “They hold two meetings per year and since 2023 they’ve held their meetings on college campuses so students can see them in action. I wanted our students to see for themselves the board that issues our professional licenses and upholds the laws for our profession. It was an honor to host them.”
