Most accounting books are just downright boring. As a kid, I loved myths and legends, stories like King Arthur and his noble Knights, Batman & Robin, and Star Wars. I could remember these stories long after I had read them or watched them. Unfortunately, the absence of an intriguing story in most accounting books is what makes them so boring. I’m a CPA and even I find them boring. But accounting is far from boring. 

Accounting is by its very nature a method of storytelling. Like the Medieval bards of old, accountants serve as historians who strive to make known the financial victories and failures of the many entities that seek to slay the elusive dragon named Profit. Storytellers possess the power to influence the thoughts and actions of others, a power most easily abused. This site, and the videos within, are intended to be anything but boring. 

Accountants are much more than historians and storytellers. They are business people. People who understand the complexities of all sorts of industries whether it be small business, multinational business, non-profit, government, entertainment, manufacturing, service, or technology. You name it...accountants are close by. 

It is my belief that the purpose of education is to empower individuals. By providing students with the necessary tools for critical thinking, education empowers individuals with the ability to improve both their personal life and the world around them. I teach because I believe that financial integrity and accountability are the foundation upon which economies grow and, as a result, provide people the opportunity to grow. My goals when teaching accounting are (1) to create an awareness of accounting as the language of business, the importance of financial integrity, and the vast array of career paths within the discipline; (2) to help students develop financial problem solving skills in order to make managerial decisions; and (3) to further students' understanding of the history of the profession. 

The most important aspects of my teaching are reducing complexity, inspiring belief, and encouraging commitment. The body of knowledge in accounting is very large and can be complex. I believe conveying this knowledge to students in a way that simplifies a complex field is the first important aspect of teaching. Secondly, one must inspire a belief that the theories and concepts within accounting are important, not only in the personal life of the student but to the stability and advancement of society. That being said, I also encourage students to challenge the way things are, knowing that agreement with the current rules isn't a requirement. Lastly, I strive to encourage student commitment to the high standard of ethics that the public requires of the accounting profession. 

Random Things:

• Favorite Hobby: Reading. Though I like to draw and I like photography and film as well as working on cars (maybe tinkering is a better word...) 

• Favorite Drink: I drink entirely too much coffee (mostly black)

• Favorite Foods: Spaghetti, bratwurst, nachos, milkshakes, bread pudding, and DONUTS! 

• Favorite books:

  • Fiction: Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, The Lord of the Rings, The Count of Monte Cristo, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Insomnia, 11/22/63, Fairy Tale, The Mistborn Trilogy, The Will of the Many, The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry, the Indian Lake Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, These Silent Woods

  • Nonfiction: Letters and Papers from Prison, How the Word is Passed, The Warmth of Other Suns, Let Justice Roll Down, Biblical Critical Theory, The Modern Corporation and Private Property, The Color of Law, The Broken Heart of America

  • Graphic Novels: Trinity, Saga of the Swamp Thing, The Long Halloween, The Blackest Night Saga, Black Panther: A Nation Under our Feet

• I enjoy walking in the rain.

• I select tactile over digital whenever possible.

• Absolutely prefer sweet to salty (no competition, even though my wife disagrees).

• The 3 greatest smells in the world are the smell of a campfire, the smell of a new book, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee!

• Favorite movies (in no particular order): Willow (1988), Victory (1981), The Accountant (2016), Chariots of Fire (1981), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), The Good Shepherd (2006), Logan (2017), The Sandlot (1993), Rogue One (2016), The Last Samurai (2003), Civil War (2024), Any Mad Max movie, The Holdovers (2023), The Pale Blue Eye (2022), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), The Outfit (2022), Batman Returns (1992).

• I can often be found listening to jazz/blues.

• Baseball is the best sport ever invented, but I like hockey, too.