Accounting



Mo Hussein: The Story of a Beloved Professor

Mo Hussein (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)
Mo Hussein (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

One of the first things people notice about Accounting Professor Mo Hussein is his warm personality. The second, is that he enjoys a little mischief.

“I once told students that my grandfather was a witch doctor,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye. “And some of them believed it!”

Hussein has spent his 38-year career at UConn, where he has taught thousands of students and helped to build the accounting department’s reputation as among the best in the nation. He also served as accounting department head from 1989-90 and from 2003-15, and as interim dean of the School of Business from 2006-07. Continue Reading



Play Ball, Cancer Survivor!

Ryan Radue (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)
Ryan Radue ’15, who was able to complete his undergraduate degree in accounting, with a certificate in management information systems a semester early. Then he started his master’s degree in accounting—all while undergoing six brutal rounds of inpatient chemotherapy. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

UConn Baseball Pitcher/Grad Student Ryan Radue Didn’t Let Cancer Call the Play

On the baseball mound, UConn pitcher Ryan Radue can strike out his fiercest opponent with the combination of a steely gaze, a powerful right arm and a sizzling fastball.

If only cancer were that vulnerable.

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Award-winning Professor Dick Kochanek’s Accounting Class Came with a Bonus: Great Advice for Living Life

“If the person next to you in class leans over and whispers, ‘I love you,’ you have to say: ‘Not until after class. I have to focus on Kochanek’s lecture now!'”

That’s one of the many witty remarks that Professor Richard “Dick” Kochanek has used to engage the 250 underclassmen in his “Principles of Financial Accounting” class.

Kochanek, who retired at the end of fall semester, is one of the most beloved and highly regarded professors at UConn. He has extremely high ratings from his students and is widely credited with turning their curiosity about accounting into a life-long career.Continue Reading


Doubling Down

Students get ahead of the game during winter session. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)
Students get ahead of the game during winter session. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Students Use ‘Winter Session’ to Get Ahead; Enjoy Small, Intense Classes, Personal Attention

While many UConn students were lounging in bed, working at the mall, or visiting family, the students in Accounting Professor Leanne Adams’ ACCT 2001 Winter Session course spent early January learning the principles of financial accounting.Continue Reading


Professor Ramunni’s ‘Accordion Fever’

Paul Ramunni (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)
Smiling and calm, Paul Ramunni plays a polka on his favorite accordion, a Giuseppe Verde. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Lessons in Patriotism, Family, Perseverance Resonate in Connecticut Accordion Museum

When Paul Ramunni was just 10 years old, his mother announced that he was going to learn to play the accordion.

His reaction was instant disdain.

“No Mom! Anything but that,” he said.

But his mother insisted, and play he did. He rarely practiced and, consequently, wasn’t very good. He considered the instrument a burden. Competitions were stressful. And, worse, it didn’t boost the social status of Ramunni, a glasses-wearing, Italian kid from Long Island. A few fights broke out on the school bus because of the teasing.Continue Reading


That Adds Up!

MS in Accounting Rises to #2 Nationally | U.S. News

U.S. News Ranks UConn’s Online Masters in Accounting Program as #2 in the Nation

A study released today by U.S. News & World Report ranked the UConn School of Business’ online Master of Science in Accounting Program (MSA) as No. 2 in the nation.

The highly competitive program, which typically draws 200 students each year, was touted as one of 2016’s Best Online Graduate Business Programs (excluding MBA programs). U.S. News focuses on course design, instructor qualifications, student/instructor interaction, student retention and more. Last year UConn tied for third place in the rankings.Continue Reading


Professor John Phillips Named Outstanding Tax Educator

Professor John Phillips, recipient of the 2015 Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Tax Educator Award.
Professor John Phillips, recipient of the 2015 Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Tax Educator Award. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Wins Prestigious Award Named After His Career Mentor

When UConn accounting professor John Phillips received the 2015 Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Tax Educator Award, his peers and students described him as a great teacher, researcher, colleague and all-around good human being.

The prestigious award, given by the American Taxation Association and the Ernst & Young Foundation, was humbling, said Phillips, who is also the coordinator of the School of Business Accounting Ph.D. Program.Continue Reading


‘Trapped Cash’

Businessmen Shaking Hands

Are Large Companies Making Poor Acquisition Decisions as a Result of Efforts to Avoid Paying U.S. Taxes?

In their attempts to avoid paying additional taxes, many large, multinational, U.S.-based companies are making dubious foreign acquisitions that may, ultimately, be bad for business.

That’s the research finding of UConn Accounting Professor Todd Kravet, and two of his colleagues, whose work will appear in the forthcoming issue of the journal of Contemporary Accounting Research.Continue Reading