A Message from the Director Mark Myring
Dear Alumni and Friends,
It is my pleasure to present to you the 2024–2025 edition of the FIU School of Accounting Annual Report. These continue to be exciting times for the School of Accounting. We are proud of the incredible accomplishments of our students, faculty, alumni and partners, and I would like to highlight a few here:
• Next fall, the School of Accounting will launch a new Professional Master’s in Accounting program designed for working professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers. This flexible program reflects our ongoing commitment to meet the evolving needs of the accounting profession.
• Our faculty continue to contribute to the field through impactful research. In this issue, we feature the work of professors Kelly Huang and Abhijit Barua, whose research spans areas critical to academic inquiry and professional practice. Dr. Barua, who also serves as director of our PhD program, continues to mentor the next generation of accounting scholars.
• This summer, our students and faculty proudly represented FIU Business at the ALPFA Convention in Las Vegas. Events like these strengthen our community’s presence on the national stage and open doors for our students to connect with industry leaders and opportunities.
• We also spotlight one of our esteemed advisory board members, Rafael Garcia, whose leadership and dedication exemplify the values of the School of Accounting. His continued engagement and support help us shape programs that prepare our students for success in a rapidly changing profession.
I would like to personally thank you for your continued support and engagement over the past year. Your involvement allows us to provide transformational learning experiences and opportunities for our students. While you may not see them every day, our students are driven, capable and ready to make a meaningful impact in the accounting profession—following in your footsteps.
Sincerely,
Mark Myring
Director, School of Accounting
FIU College of Business
School of Accounting
The School of Accounting at Florida International University’s College of Business (FIU Business) in Miami, is committed to excellence, integrity, teamwork and lifelong learning.
Our programs are among the most innovative in the country. We offer a Master of Accounting with majors in assurance and taxation. For undergraduates, we have a Bachelor of Accounting with opportunities for students to intern with and learn from top accounting firm professionals. Their academic relevance is ensured by our school’s advisory board members, who understand employer’s needs, contribute to our curriculum and recruit our graduates.
Our faculty are top-notch researchers and teachers, with expertise in a host of accounting disciplines and across both private and public sectors.
Our accounting students also have many opportunities to become involved in the profession through our student organizations ALPFA, Beta Alpha Psi and NABA. The college offers a variety of scholarships to help students fund their education and prepare for their careers.
Mission and Vision
Mission: As a key contributing division of an internationally focused, public research university, we cultivate a diverse student population for their advancement in the accounting profession and business in general. We advance our mission by providing high-quality accounting education to our diverse student population, producing impactful research and actively engaging with professional and academic communities.
Vision: To be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in accounting education, scholarship and community engagement.
School of Accounting Advisory Board
Faculty Spotlight
Kelly Huang Brings Real-World Insight, Research Rigor to Accounting Education
Kelly Huang
AI 360 Research Fellow
Associate Professor
School of Accounting
“I chose accounting because it was the strongest program at my college, and I later realized that its logical and analytical nature was a perfect fit for me.”
— Kelly Huang
By Michelle Lopez
Kelly Huang, associate professor, accounting is more than numbers. It’s a tool for understanding the world and shaping the future. A faculty member at the School of Accounting at FIU Business since 2013, Huang draws from her global background, real-world experience, and leading-edge research to connect with students and empower them through education.
Born and raised in China, Huang double-majored in business English and accounting before earning her Master of Accounting degree at the University of Hawaii. She later earned her PhD at Georgia State University, where she discovered a passion for research.
“I chose accounting because it was the strongest program at my college, and I later realized that its logical and analytical nature was a perfect fit for me,” she recalled.
Her professional career began as an auditor in Hawaii before she transitioned into academia, with early faculty roles at the University of Alabama.
At FIU Business, Huang is known for her approachable teaching style, using simplicity and structure to help students master complex accounting concepts.
“I always try to break concepts down to the basics. Even the most complex topics become manageable when simplified into clear, logical steps,” she said. She encourages students to use artificial intelligence tools for support, but emphasizes the importance of foundational thinking. “It’s not just about getting the correct answer, it’s about developing the ability to think logically and critically.”
Huang’s impact extends beyond the classroom. A prolific researcher, her work explores how information flows through capital markets, from management to employees to analysts, and how these dynamics influence firm performance and market valuations. Her recent focus on rank-and-file employees and AI reflects the changing landscape of the profession.
Huang also invests in mentorship, especially at the doctoral level.
“Working closely with PhD students is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy engaging with them on a deeper intellectual level, helping shape their research, and guiding them through the publication process — two of our co-authored papers have been published.” She’s also a frequent reviewer for scholarly journals, a contributor to academic conferences, and serves on committees that help shape the direction of the School of Accounting.
Huang is currently a research fellow in the newly launched AI 360° initiative at FIU Business, which aims to integrate AI across research, education and industry collaborations.
As accounting evolves, Huang believes the profession is on the cusp of transformation. “With AI and data analytics taking over the routine tasks, accountants will have more opportunities to focus on strategic decision-making,” she said. Her advice to students entering the field? “Stay intellectually curious. That mindset will benefit you not just in your career, but in all aspects of life.”
Professor Abhijit Barua’s Impact
Shaping the Future of Accounting Research and Education
Abhijit Barua
Doctoral Director
Professor
“During that time, I realized accounting wasn’t always the purely reliable system I had assumed,” Barua said. “That motivated me to study how and why managers sometimes misreport, and how regulations and standards can respond.”
— Abhijit Barua
By Michelle Lopez
As doctoral director and professor in the School of Accounting at FIU Business, Abhijit “Ovee” Barua has dedicated his career to strengthening the link between accounting research, education and practice. His work in financial reporting and capital markets, combined with more than a decade leading the PhD program, has helped elevate FIU Business as a national contributor to accounting scholarship.
Barua’s research centers on earnings management. His interest in the topic was sparked in the early 2000s, when major accounting scandals at companies such as Enron and WorldCom shook investor confidence and ushered in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
“During that time, I realized accounting wasn’t always the purely reliable system I had assumed,” Barua said. “That motivated me to study how and why managers sometimes misreport, and how regulations and standards can respond.”
His early work, published while earning his PhD at Louisiana State University, explored how companies use accruals to meet earnings targets. Over time, his research expanded to cover mechanisms such as real activity management, expectation management and classification shifting. His studies, including multiple articles in top journals such as The Accounting Review and Journal of Accounting and Economics, have helped shape academic understanding and inform regulatory policy.
Beyond research, Barua has made his mark as doctoral director since 2012, overseeing the School of Accounting’s PhD program. Since its inception in 2004, the program has graduated 37 students, with 34 serving in tenure-track faculty roles across U.S. universities and abroad.
“Less than 100 universities in the country offer a PhD in accounting, but there are thousands of institutions that need accounting faculty,” Barua said. “Our graduates are meeting a national demand, and many have already advanced to senior academic positions.”
In his role, Barua guides student recruitment, course planning and research mentorship. He notes that PhD students not only contribute through their dissertations but also by assisting faculty research and teaching undergraduate and graduate classes. “They enrich the school’s research mission and help build our reputation as a center for scholarship,” he said.
Barua has also addressed pressing issues facing the profession, including the nationwide shortage of accountants. His recent work with colleagues examines how to bridge gaps in talent and prepare students for an evolving field increasingly influenced by technology and artificial intelligence.
Rafael Garcia
From FIU Business to PwC Partner, Giving Back Through Mentorship
Rafael Garcia<
PwC Partner
“I wasn’t as prepared to enter the job force as others,” Garcia recalled. “I was older, working full time, and I didn’t have the network students have today. I had to knock on a lot of doors, and not many opened.”
— Rafael Garcia
By Michelle Lopez
When Rafael Garcia (MST ’97, BBA ’94) arrived in the United States from Colombia after high school, he imagined a career in engineering. But the logical, math-driven structure of accounting soon caught his attention. After earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at FIU Business, Garcia embarked on a career path that would take him from being the first one of his family to migrate to a foreign land to tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Now preparing for retirement, he is dedicating more of his time to mentorship and shaping the next generation of accountants.
“I wasn’t as prepared to enter the job force as others,” Garcia recalled. “I was older, working full time, and I didn’t have the network students have today. I had to knock on a lot of doors, and not many opened.”
Garcia’s perseverance paid off. In 1996, he landed a role at Coopers & Lybrand, a predecessor to PwC, and in just 12 years, he rose to partner in Miami. Along the way, he built a specialty in tax, advising international clients, particularly those from Latin America. His bilingual skills and global outlook made him a natural fit for Miami’s international business hub.
But Garcia’s professional journey extends beyond his own rise through the partnership ranks at PwC.
For more than 15 years, he has served on the FIU Business School of Accounting Advisory Board, supported curriculum development and fundraising, and even taught as an adjunct professor in the Master of Accounting program. At PwC, he helped establish and maintain the firm’s deep relationship with FIU, spearheading recruiting efforts that have brought hundreds of FIU graduates into the firm.
“We have a huge FIU alumni base within PwC,” Garcia said. “My priority has always been helping students successfully navigate the transition from the classroom to their professional careers. I see myself in many of them—individuals balancing full-time work, pursuing a second or even third career, and contributing a rich diversity of experiences that strengthens the learning environment and their workplace.”
That commitment comes from Garcia’s own journey as a student, shaped by the challenges he faced and the resolve it took to overcome them. He recalls being self-conscious about his accent and unsure of his interpersonal skills when he started his career. To overcome those barriers, he practiced relentlessly, scripting out phone calls, rehearsing client conversations, and building the confidence that would eventually propel him to leadership.
Now, he passes those lessons on. Garcia frequently coaches FIU students on everything from technical readiness to professional presence. He emphasizes that success depends not only on strong grades but also on polish, confidence and openness to feedback.
“People say they’re open to feedback, but many aren’t,” he said. “You have to approach coaching and feedback with compassion and a constructive lens. I’ve seen students with 4.0 GPAs who need coaching and mentoring around executive presence and interpersonal skills. Small details matter.”
For Garcia, the reward lies in seeing others succeed. “When you see the spark in someone’s eyes, when they tell you something you said changed their perspective or career path, that’s the impact,” he said. “It keeps you energized, it keeps you young. That’s the legacy I want to leave.”
FIU Debuts Fast-Track Accounting Master’s
“Graduates with master’s degrees are now seeing starting salaries between $70,000 and $80,000, up from the high $50,000 to $60,000 range just a few years ago. It’s a substantial increase, 20 to 30% over the last couple of years”
— Mark Myring
By Michelle Lopez
FIU Business is ushering in a new era for accounting professionals with the launch of its innovative Professional Master of Accounting program, set to begin in fall 2026. This fast-track program is crafted to meet the increasing demand for highly skilled accountants as the industry faces a critical shortage, one that has fueled significant salary growth and created new opportunities for aspiring experts.
Mark Myring, director of the School of Accounting, highlighted the urgent need for qualified professionals in today’s evolving business landscape.
“There’s a big shortage in accounting professionals. The salaries have increased significantly with the shortage of accounting people,” Myring said. “Graduates with master’s degrees are now seeing starting salaries between $70,000 and $80,000, up from the high $50,000 to $60,000 range just a few years ago. It’s a substantial increase, 20 to 30% over the last couple of years”.
The new Professional Master of Accounting program is designed for both domestic and international students with a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting, providing a comprehensive and globally accredited experience. Unlike undergraduate routes, the program combines foundational CPA exam content with advanced graduate courses, ensuring graduates meet all CPA requirements while cultivating skills in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging areas such as forensic accounting and ESG reporting.
Delivered fully online, the accelerated 10-month curriculum features 10 rigorous courses taught by professors with extensive CPA credentials and real-world expertise. Coursework is closely aligned with industry standards—covering GAAP, IFRS, FASB updates, and integrating cutting-edge technologies and case-based simulations. Graduates are ideally positioned to become strategic business partners, ready to thrive in environments where automation and regulatory complexity are increasingly influential.
FIU’s School of Accounting is among the elite accounting programs worldwide accredited by AACSB International, helping assure academic excellence and facilitating strong industry recruitment. The program’s effectiveness is further supported by dedicated career services focused on accounting and finance roles, with all Fortune 500 companies actively recruiting FIU graduates.
Applicants must hold a relevant four-year degree, maintain a minimum upper-division GPA of 3.0, and meet standardized test requirements, with GMAT waivers available for qualified individuals. The program also welcomes students from non-English-speaking backgrounds, requiring proficiency demonstrated through Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS scores.
With admissions now open and the official launch approved by FIU, Myring emphasized the benefit for career changers and early-career accountants alike.
“You can finish it in less than a year. It’s a 30-credit hour program, so somebody who really works at it and wants to transition between careers can do that quickly,” he said.
This expansion reflects FIU Business’s ongoing dedication to shaping future leaders in accounting—empowering graduates to tackle the complex challenges of tomorrow’s global economy.
The learn more, call 305-348-0148 or email MACC@fiu.edu.
FIU Business ALPFA students 2025 ALPFA Convention in Las Vegas.
2025 ALPFA Convention
FIU Business ALPFA chapter wins top honors during annual conference in Las Vegas.
By Michelle Lopez
The student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) at FIU Business brought home the Southeast Regional Student Chapter of the Year Award at the 2025 ALPFA Convention, energizing student attendees who returned with career-making opportunities.
The award recognizes leadership, career readiness, programming and student engagement. FIU’s chapter stood out for its high-impact events, including a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and the Women of ALPFA panel during Women’s History Month, along with its strong corporate partnerships and active membership.
“Our e-board treats ALPFA like a full-time job,” said marketing and management major Emilio Roque, the chapter’s former director of marketing. “We balance events, classes, part-time work and internships because we know it pays off. Not just for us, but for our members.”
Roque attended the convention in a unique role, representing FIU Business while serving on ALPFA’s national social media team. He produced coverage, conducted interviews and networked with students and professionals nationwide. His work with the FIU chapter, including a complete rebrand of its marketing, helped him land a national internship as a social media analyst with ALPFA.
Finance major Isabel Guitton, who joined the organization in fall 2024 after switching from marketing, attended her first convention and noted “the best events I’ve attended while at FIU have been hosted by ALPFA.”
While at the convention, Guitton was able to secure several on-site interviews with recruiters and landed an upcoming summer 2026 internship in wealth management with Wells Fargo.
The Las Vegas event drew other major firms including Goldman Sachs, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Bank of America. Guitton also networked with fellow students from across the country, making connections she believes will continue into her professional life.
Both students say the convention proved the value of persistence in a competitive job market. Guitton delayed her graduation to qualify for finance internships, refining her skills and networking for months before securing an offer. “Never stop trying,” she advised. “Even if you get rejected, apply again, talk to recruiters and keep showing up. One conversation can make the difference.”
Roque echoed that sentiment, recalling his own years of sending out applications before landing his current opportunity.
“Joining ALPFA has been the best decision of my university career,” he said. “It’s paved the way for me to grow professionally and reach goals I’ve had since my freshman year.”
As the chapter celebrates its regional win, both students are urging their peers to get involved. “Opportunities like this can change your career path,” Guitton said. “You just have to take the first step.”
We Rise together
The School of Accounting’s remarkable strides would not be possible without your ongoing commitment and generosity. Every gift, no matter the amount, benefits our students and programs in powerful ways. We invite you to learn more about development efforts through our website – and join us in pledging your support.