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Quick Facts
Additional specialized accreditation by AACSB
M.Acc. program was first in the nation to offer a data analytics concentration
Beta Alpha Psi fraternity has achieved Superior status continuously for the past 40 years
Free tax assistance through the VITA program
Industry connections
Accounting Advisory Council:The council advises, counsels, and assists the Department of Accounting with maintaining and improving the Department’s programs, the quality of its students, the success of its graduates, and the overall standing and reputation of the Department. The Council helps the department develop community partnerships among our faculty, our students, and accounting professionals that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and benefit and serve both the Department and the Richmond community.
Beta Alpha Psi: The fraternity has been connecting top accounting majors with successful alumni and employers for the past 40 years as a Superior Chapter.
Controllers Executive Roundtable:We partner with CERT to provide professional continuing education and networking opportunities for controllers of member firms.
NABA Inc.:A nonprofit membership association dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for black business students and leaders in accounting, finance, business and entrepreneurship.
Student of the Year: The Student of the Year Award is presented to a senior or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and leadership.
Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a student who has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community.
Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier, Sr. Tax Award: This award is presented annually to an outstanding student who has taken at least six hours of taxation courses at VCU and has demonstrated the most promise in the field of taxation.
Student of the Year: Michelle Chen
Michelle is an outstanding student and future accounting professional double majoring in accounting and finance. She demonstrates an incredible work ethic, as evidenced by her role as vice president of Beta Alpha Psi. During her time at VCU, she held internships with KPMG, Keiter CPAs, the SCC and Harris Hardy & Johnston PC. In recognition of her academic achievements, she received the Controllers Executive Roundtable, Walter Lessing and John Sperry scholarships. After graduation, Michelle will join KPMG as a tax associate.
Distinguished Service Award: Joana Muller
Joana deserves recognition for the tremendous effort she has put forth as president of Beta Alpha Psi. She has been the driving force behind numerous events connecting VCU students with accounting professionals. Under her leadership, BAP’s visibility and student membership have grown significantly. Joana also served as treasurer for the Model United Nations at VCU, where she was instrumental in raising and managing the organization’s funds. She held a tax internship with BDO’s Richmond office and is currently deciding between competing offers for a full-time accounting role after graduation.
Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier, Sr. Tax Award: Marcos Saeed
Marcos’ high performance in taxation and overall academic excellence make him a deserving recipient of the Freasier Tax Award. While pursuing his accounting degree, Marcos held internships with Keiter CPAs, the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts, Brown Edwards and Northwestern Mutual. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Master of Accountancy degree. Marcos has been an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, serving as treasurer. His hobbies include basketball, and he has completed coursework on the National Basketball Association’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Student of the Year: Hector Luna
Hector Luna is an outstanding student and future accounting professional. He demonstrates an incredible work ethic and a sincere interest in others, as shown through his active engagement in Beta Alpha Psi, where he serves as treasurer. In recognition of his academic achievements, he was selected as a PCAOB Scholar and has received the Thomas M. Berry Jr. Scholarship from the VSCPA Educational Foundation, the Chuck Gallagher Endowed Scholarship from VCU Business and the Stewart Family Scholarship from the VCU Accounting Department. After graduation, Hector will join Keiter and pursue CPA licensure.
Distinguished Service Award: Jeffrey Kum
Jeffrey Kum deserves recognition for the tremendous effort he has put forth as president of Beta Alpha Psi. In this role, he has been instrumental in bringing innovative ideas to life that benefit the VCU accounting community. Notably, the highly successful inaugural VCU Accounting Expo was Jeff’s brainchild. A high-achieving and hardworking scholar, Jeff has held internships with PwC, KPMG and Withum, and he has received several competitive scholarships. After graduating in May, Jeff will pursue CPA licensure as an audit associate at PwC’s Seattle office.
Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier, Sr. Tax Award: Shawndel Holder
Shawndel Holder’s high performance in taxation and overall academic excellence make her a deserving recipient of the Freasier Tax Award. Shawndel is a senior in the VCU B.S. Accounting program and plans to continue her education in a Master of Accountancy program while pursuing CPA licensure. Her academic work is distinguished by skills that will serve her well as an accounting professional—she is highly organized, trustworthy, detail-oriented and adept at managing the demands of a fast-paced professional environment.
Student of the Year: Simranjeet Kaur
Simranjeet stands out for her exceptional scholarship and leadership accomplishments. She currently holds a 3.867 GPA and serves as director of community service for VCU's Epsilon Zeta chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. While managing a rigorous course load, Simranjeet has completed internships at BluePrint Automation and Harris, Hardy & Johnstone. In summer 2022, she will intern with Deloitte, a Big Four public accounting firm. After graduation, Simranjeet plans to continue working in public accounting while pursuing CPA licensure.
Distinguished Service Award: Kelsey Watlington
Kelsey demonstrates an outstanding commitment to service. She serves as president of VCU's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Among her accomplishments, Kelsey led an initiative between Beta Alpha Psi, the Virginia Society of CPAs and KPMG to donate school supplies and books to Carver Elementary. She also captained an award-winning ethics competition team. As a student, Kelsey worked in the accounting department at Averhealth, where she made an impact by championing process improvements. In her senior year, Kelsey interned with Deloitte and will return as an auditor after graduation.
Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier, Sr. Tax Award: Brian Evans
This award is presented annually to an outstanding VCU student who has demonstrated exceptional promise in the field of taxation. Brian completed the post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting in December 2020 and is currently fulfilling the requirements for the Master of Accountancy with a concentration in data analytics. He consistently earns top grades in his taxation and other accounting courses. Brian is actively involved in Beta Alpha Psi, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is also in the process of sitting for the CPA exam.
Student of the Year: Laura Cooper
Laura has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in both scholarship and leadership. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA in accounting and completed three internships: one with KPMG in tax and two with Deloitte in audit and assurance. Laura was also highly active in Beta Alpha Psi, serving as vice president and coordinating meetings for accounting students. She is currently studying for the CPA exam and will begin working as an audit associate at Deloitte, a Big Four public accounting firm, in September.
Distinguished Service Award: Michael Viola
Michael has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community. He served as president of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society, during the 2020 school year. In this role, he helped lead Beta Alpha Psi’s efforts to host a speaker series, the annual Leaders Workshop and Meet the Firms event for recruiters and other networking opportunities. Michael also spearheaded Beta Alpha Psi’s community volunteer efforts with Feed More and VITA. He is pursuing his Master of Accountancy and CPA certification before starting as an audit associate with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP in January 2022.
Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier, Sr. Tax Award: Christopher M. Pirrello
This award is presented annually to an outstanding student who has completed at least six hours of taxation courses at VCU and demonstrated exceptional promise in the field of taxation. Christopher excelled in Tax Accounting, Advanced Tax Accounting and Tax Research and Planning courses at VCU. After graduating, he will pursue his CPA designation and plans to continue his career at Capital One.
Student of the Year: Derek Hetrick
Derek Hetrick has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in both scholarship and leadership. He is graduating with a 3.875 GPA in accounting. Alongside his academic achievements, he was selected for and completed three internships. During his time at VCU, Derek served as president of the VCU National Association of Black Accountants for one year and as secretary for another year. After graduation, he will pursue a Master of Accounting with a concentration in data analytics and will begin his career as an auditor with KPMG, a Big Four public accounting firm.
Distinguished Service Award: Justin Nedwick
Justin Nedwick has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community. He served as president of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society, during the 2019-20 school year. In this role, he helped lead the organization’s efforts to host an all-day leadership summit, a speaker series, the annual Meet the Firms event for recruiters and other networking opportunities. Justin also spearheaded Beta Alpha Psi’s community volunteer initiatives with Feed More and VITA. He plans to pursue his CPA certification after completing his Certificate of Accounting.
Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier, Sr. Tax Award: Hung N. Loung
This award is presented annually to an outstanding graduating senior who has completed at least six hours of taxation courses at VCU and demonstrated exceptional promise in the field of taxation. Hung earned top grades in both Tax Accounting and Advanced Tax Accounting. After graduation, she will pursue his CPA certification and begin working in tax at a public accounting firm.
Michael has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community. He served as president of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society, during the 2020 school year. In this role, he helped lead Beta Alpha Psi’s efforts to host a speaker series, the annual Leaders Workshop and Meet the Firms event for recruiters and other networking opportunities. Michael also spearheaded Beta Alpha Psi’s community volunteer efforts with Feed More and VITA. He is pursuing his Master of Accountancy and CPA certification before starting as an audit associate with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP in January 2022.
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