CONTROLLERS EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
The Controllers Executive RoundTable enhances the professional development of controllers of major private and public companies. This regional network of highly motivated professionals offers engaging and relevant quarterly forums and provides opportunities to connect with peers, network with member companies and learn critical and emerging information.
Membership
CERT membership is by invitation only and is limited to controllers and equivalent professionals of major companies with significant operations in Virginia. The annual fee is $2,300. Members enjoy access to VCU School of Business resources, including access to the VCU libraries and databases, assistance in identifying articles and other references of interest, and priority treatment in identification of outstanding prospective graduates, interns and part-time employees.
Each quarterly meeting is facilitated by an industry expert, with time built in for group discussion. Members can bring up to two guests and are eligible to receive four hours of continuing professional education credit per meeting.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Scott Bleicher
Vice President and Controller,
Universal Corporation
Steve D'Ambrosia
Vice President and Controller,
Altria Group, Inc.
Thomas Didlake
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
Southern States Cooperative, Inc.
John Jimison
Corporate Controller,
Carpenter Co.
Ashleigh McDermott
Vice President, Financial Reporting,
ARKO Corp.
Timothy Mulvaney
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer,
RGC Resources, Inc.
Gary Ometer
Chief Financial Officer,
Virginia Foundation for Public Media
SCHOLARSHIPS
CERT members have endowed scholarships that are awarded to outstanding accounting majors each year.
Abena Adu Newman
Accounting, 2025
The CERT scholarship has been a tremendous blessing in pursuing an accounting degree at VCU. The financial assistance has not only covered my tuition but also allowed me to focus fully on my academic and professional growth. With the scholarship's support, I’ve had the freedom to choose internships based on the learning opportunities they provide rather than financial necessity. This has enriched my educational experience and opened doors to invaluable professional connections. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities the CERT scholarship has afforded me and truly appreciate this support.
Kendal Burruss
Accounting, 2025
As a senior at VCU, I am on track to graduate in spring 2025 with 150 credits, fulfilling the requirements for the CPA exam within four years. The CERT scholarship has been instrumental in helping me achieve this goal, enabling me to take additional credits, complete CLEP exams and cover essential expenses such as books and transportation. This support has allowed me to avoid the extra costs of a master’s program while staying fully focused on my academic and career goals. I am deeply grateful for the CERT scholarship’s generosity, which has relieved financial pressures and given me the freedom to pursue my passion for accounting. With a strong foundation in the field, my goal is to become a CPA and work as an auditor for a small firm, applying my skills to serve clients effectively.
Jade Campbell
Accounting, 2025
I’m a senior at VCU studying accounting. After earning my degree, I plan to pursue my CPA. Originally from Appomattox, I moved to the Richmond area after high school and transferred to VCU from Brightpoint Community College, where I earned my associate degree. I’m a fully online student and currently an audit intern at Myers and Stauffer, gaining foundational skills in accounting. In the future, I hope to excel in my career and provide valuable expertise to those around me. Here’s a quote by Frederick Douglass that keeps me motivated: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
The CERT scholarship has been an incredible aid in furthering my education. With this scholarship, I’ve been able to give my full attention to my classes. In addition to the financial assistance, the CERT scholarship has given me opportunities to network with experienced professionals in my future career field. I would like to thank those who contribute and make this scholarship possible. It has allowed me to focus on excelling in my classes and preparing for my future.
Ngan Dinh
Accounting, 2024
I was born and raised in Vietnam before moving to the U.S. at 16. I’m currently in my final semester at VCU, majoring in accounting. I plan to take the CPA exam this spring and will be returning to KPMG as an audit associate in fall 2025. I love traveling, exploring different architectural styles and trying new cuisines. I believe "the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." This scholarship will alleviate the financial burden of my studies, allowing me to focus more on my coursework and less on financial stress. In addition, I’ll be able to pay for my school parking permit and not worry about finding a day pass. Thank you again for your kindness and support. I am truly grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has provided, and I am committed to making the most of them.
Tyler Edge
Accounting and Finance (Dual Degree), 2024
I grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, where I began my career in restaurant management and food preparation. When restaurants and childcare centers closed at the onset of the pandemic, I dedicated my time to completing my Associate of Science in Business Administration while balancing care for my two children. I transferred to VCU in fall 2022 to pursue dual bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance as a nontraditional, first-generation student.
The CERT scholarship has allowed me to effectively balance my responsibilities as a father, student and active community member. It has empowered me to fully engage in my academic pursuits, cultivate meaningful relationships and show my children the importance of education. I’m truly grateful for this generous support and the opportunities it has provided during my time at VCU.
CERT PROFESSOR
Fengchun Tang
Controllers Executive RoundTable Professor
Associate Professor
In 2011, the Controllers Executive Roundtable Steering Committee generously established the Controllers Executive Roundtable Professor of Accounting Fund, which provides an annual stipend to support the scholarly activities of the named recipient. The inaugural recipient, Dr. Rasoul Tondkar, was instrumental in the founding and organization of the Controllers Roundtable in the late 1990s. From its inception until his retirement in 2017, Dr. Tondkar actively supported the Controllers Roundtable. Following his retirement, Dr. Fengchun Tang became the second VCU professor to receive the honor of being named the Controllers Executive Roundtable Professor of Accounting.
Fengchun Tang is an associate professor of accounting at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he teaches accounting information systems. He earned a Ph.D. in business administration from Washington State University in 2012. His primary research interests include judgment and decision-making in accounting and information systems. His research has been published in several journals, including Behavioral Research in Accounting, Journal of Information Systems, International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, and Behavior & Information Technology.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude for CERT’s financial support. CERT’s generous contribution has had a major impact on my research. It encourages my continued commitment to high-quality research and greatly advances my research agenda.