Fall 2021

Dear Students, Alumni and Friends of the Lindner Accounting Department,

I greet you with great optimism for the coming year, given our return to campus this summer and the resumption of in-person classes. In this edition of the relaunched Accounting Newsletter, we honor the achievements of our faculty and students, while also recognizing the officers of our student groups: the Accounting Club and Beta Alpha Psi. Additionally, we’ve profiled two outstanding students who reflect the promise and possibilities of the accounting department.

When the pandemic began over a year and a half ago, we rose to the challenge, providing learning in an online setting while we eagerly awaited a return to campus. We got the word in July that we could return to Lindner and that in-person classes would be offered at normal room capacity. Later, a mask policy for instructors and students was instituted to keep everyone safe. Although not ideal, classes with everyone masked is closer to normal for both parties. Earlier this fall, the Accounting Department marked the return of in-person events with Meet the Firms and Industry Night. Students and potential employers showed up in droves, as you can read in the article below.

The support we receive from the donors to the Linder Accounting Department Discretionary Fund is critically important to our mission. With those funds, we ensure our faculty are up to date on training, certifications and research by funding travel and research presentations. Outside contributions also allow the department to provide support for our doctoral students, one of whom is profiled below. 

Finally, we’ve decided to have a naming contest for the newsletter! Submit your idea and the winner will be revealed in our next newsletter in the Spring.

As I begin my fifth year as department head, it has been my pleasure to serve our department and the college. I look forward to leading our group to continued success.

Margaret Reed, PhD, CPA, CMA

Accounting Department Head and Professor-Educator of Accounting

Janean Rundo, a third-year doctoral student, has received an Excellence in Reviewing Award from the International Accounting Section (IAS) of the American Accounting Association for her role in reviewing the paper submissions to IAS’s Annual Meeting Program for 2021. Rundo was one of nine recipients of this award, and one of three doctoral students. 

A CPA with over a decade of work experience at employers such as Deloitte, Nielsen and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Rundo’s doctoral research interests include audit networks, corporate governance, and voluntary disclosures. Rundo received her MBA from Lindner after earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Miami University. In her spare time, Rundo enjoys the company of her husband and two-year-old daughter, gardening and exploring Cincinnati parks.

Ahamad Odeh, BBA ’23, was drawn to the University of Cincinnati by his two older sisters (alumni with degrees in nursing and biology), and more specifically, to the field of accounting because of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ sterling reputation.

Ahamad Odeh

Ahamad Odeh, BBA ’23.

“It is an excellent field that has something special for everyone,” Odeh said. “You can choose many pathways like private, public, government, tax, audit, and forensic accounting.”

A Norwood native, Odeh is currently on co-op at VEGA Americas and has an internship with Kirsch CPA Group for the upcoming tax season.

When asked about his favorite part about accounting, Oden said, “It is the engine the keeps all businesses running.”

Odeh’s pastimes include taking walks on the Wasson Way Trail, kayaking at East Fork Lake State Park and helping his older brother run the family’s auto care business.

  • Lindner Research Excellence Award: Nan Zhou, professor, Norwood and Marjorie Geis Chair of Accounting, and director of the accounting PhD program
  • Outstanding Organization Lindner Student Association Advisor: Toshia Watkins, manager, unit operations, departments of accounting and economics
  • Outstanding Adjunct Teaching in Accounting Award: Javan Kline, adjunct professor
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Brenna Aurand
  • Blue & Co. Scholarship: Jenna Lovely and Erick Sibri
  • Adah Pylkas Scholarship: Nana Agyemang
  • Certified Management Accountants exam scholarship recipients: Alexander Barden, Boeun Han, John McLellan, Daniela Murcia, Abigail Neyer, Andi Okereke, Haley Ray, Brennan Schrand, Nicole Stepp and Eric Van Skaik

Beta Alpha Psi

  • President: Amanda Weis
  • Vice president/treasurer: Jayasri Adari
  • Reporting: Josie Keresman

Accounting Club

  • President: Kate Draginoff 
  • Treasurer: Sophia Staub 
  • VP of Programming: Haley Hartung 
  • VP of Membership: Jack Ernst

Thanks to those who donated to the Lindner Accounting Department Discretionary Fund during the 2020-21 fiscal year. Your generous support helps us keep our faculty and instructors up to date with the latest technology, training and credentials. This adds value to our program and our students’ experience. 

  • BKD CPAs & Advisors
  • Brian M. Bell
  • Blue & Co., LLC
  • John C. Benson
  • Scott R. Bezjak
  • Joseph M. Brotzge
  • Joseph A. Burnett
  • Bert Cannon
  • James D. Cashell
  • Daniel E. Clark
  • James E. Creeden
  • Ronald W. Evans
  • Deloitte Foundation
  • Ernst & Young
  • Kimberly Girling
  • Paul D. Green
  • Jeffrey H. Grimm
  • Keith A. Hall
  • Matthew N. Jessup
  • Eric M. Krulcik
  • Michael Kinkelaar
  • Natalia Mintchik
  • Brian J. Mischel
  • Mark H. Montgomery
  • Adam J. Olson
  • Sarah N. Palmer
  • Anthony M. Perazzo
  • Margaret P. Reed
  • Molly M. Rogers
  • Charles M. Rohr
  • Jan Rose
  • Linna Shi
  • Georgena P. Thomas
  • John P. Walker
  • Changjiang Wang
  • Michael D. Young