The online MS in Accounting Program held its four day in-residence class, Acct 5505, from May 19-22, welcoming 100 new students to UConn. One highlight from the week was a speech from our welcome dinner’s keynote speaker, MSA alum, Ann Kummer. Ms. Kummer is a tax manager at Kirshon & Company, P.C., a firm located in Poughkeepsie, NY, and serving the Hudson Valley. She has nearly two decades of experience in public accounting and expertise in tax compliance matters including tax preparation and representation for high net-worth individuals, trusts and estates, partnerships, and corporations. 

Ms. Kummer spoke about remaining receptive to new career opportunities beyond what students might envision to allow them to develop expertise in unexpected places. With an unrelated degree, she began work at a CPA firm, discovering an interest in accounting. In 2006, she was licensed to practice before the IRS as an enrolled agent. She merged her own tax practice with Kirshon & Company and earned her CPA designation in 2010. Ms. Kummer has lectured to professionals on a number of tax topics, has served as a prosecution witness in an elderly exploitation case, is active in the National Association of Enrolled Agents and currently serves as the New York State Society of Enrolled Agents’ First Vice President.