Faculty Advisor: Tim Kizirian
Accounting and Information Systems
PhD Discipline: Accounting (Arizona 2000)
Email Address: tkizirian@csuchico.edu

Organization/Leadership involvement:
I am the faculty advisor for the Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi Accomplishments. I am very proud to be the recipient of the Craig and Joan Young Faculty Fellowship.

Why did you choose your field of study?
As an undergraduate student, I was fortunate to have accounting instructors who were energetic, exciting, and inspiring. I also had a fulfilling experience working as a Certified Public Accountant for a large accounting firm.

What kind of classes do you teach?
Specifically, I teach auditing, accounting information systems, and a computerized accounting class.

What do you like most about teaching at Chico State?
Chico State has hard working, energetic, and highly motivated students who enjoy learning by doing. It's rewarding to see them move on to exciting careers as responsible business leaders, and to have a positive impact on society. Faculty are actively involved in their education, and there is considerable student-faculty interaction. As you can probably tell it is easy for me to find the motivation to work hard to provide my students with a first-rate classroom experience. I want them to be inspired and to value lifelong education.

What do students like best about your classes?
Students like that I am current in today's accounting issues, that I keep my lectures up to date and interesting. Students like that I work hard to provide active learning experiences, and that I respect them. They also enjoy my enthusiastic and practical manner of presentation, and that I bring in many examples from my work experience as a Certified Public Accountant.

Faculty Advisor: Nancy Jones
MBA: California State University, Chico
Email Address: njones@csuchico.edu

Organization/Leadership involvement:
On campus I am Faculty Advisor for Accounting Society/Beta Alpha Psi and Course Coordinator for Introduction to Managerial Accounting (ACCT202). Off campus I am involved in various professional organizations such as the AISEA, (AIS Educators Association) IMA, (Institute of Management Accountants) and ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners).

Why did you choose your field of study?
My original undergraduate education was in the sciences. As luck would have it, I was presented an opportunity to start and operate a business totally unrelated to my education. As a small business owner, I discovered that many management decisions entailed a solid understanding of accounting concepts. I also found myself wrestling with tax regulations and reporting. I found I loved everything about business accounting. After I sold my share of the business, I returned to school to earn an undergraduate degree in Accounting and an MBA with an emphasis in MIS. I worked as a Systems Administrator, a Controller, and a consultant before I returned to Chico State to teach. And I still love accounting and systems!

What kind of classes do you teach?
Introduction to Managerial Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, and AIS for Small Business (Asset Management and Controls for Small Business).

What do you like most about teaching at Chico State?
Our students at Chico State are awesome: great team players, creative, and enthusiastic. Every success story makes me feel as though I have had some small part in a graduate's life, that I have been able to give back a little of what I have learned and experienced in my own life. In addition, our faculty mirror our students: caring, talented, and giving of their time and talents. When I talk to other faculty from around the country, I feel grateful to be where I am. Chico State is the best!

What do students like best about your classes?
This is a tough question to answer because every class is a little different, but I would have to say that my enthusiasm for learning might be contagious. I really love what I am doing and sharing all the wonderful "war stories" from my years in industry and as a business owner. The students catch on to that. Also, I try to speak to different learning styles with hands-on activities, new technologies, and team work, in addition to the traditional stuff like reading, writing, etc. I guess in a word, I try really hard to make accounting "fun".