University at Buffalo School of Management

Accounting grads earn international opportunities With their accomplishments this spring, three 2017 accounting graduates are already making an impact on their profession. Brittany Popovski, BS '16, MS '17, earned a highly cov- eted postgraduate technical assistantship at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for U.S. companies and nonprofits. Popovski was the sixth School of Management student in six years chosen for a yearlong posi- tion at the FASB or its counterpart for state and local governments, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. "At the FASB, I'll enhance the critical thinking skills I devel- oped at UB and my understand- ing of accounting standards from many points of view," she said. "Aerward, I hope to make a differ- ence in the profession by helping clients interpret and implement new standards." Meanwhile, Kyle Januszkiewicz, BS '16, MS '17, and Wanyin Yan, BS '16, MS '17, took first and third place, re- spectively, in the Institute of Internal Auditors' Esther R. Sawyer Research Award competition. This is the first time two students from the same university have placed in the competition, open to students worldwide in an IIA- endorsed comprehensive internal auditing program. "Our students' success has helped cement our rep- utation as a premier accounting program," said Feng Gu, associate professor and chair of the Accounting and Law From left: Ellen Ragus, MBA '18; Brianna Tom, BS/MBA '17, chair of the Graduate Giving Council; Jan Malof, BS '82, president of Interior Solutions; Mark Wilson, BS/MBA '18; Todd Czarcinski, CEL '09, owner, Hamburg Floor Covering; and Lorraine Schunk, strategic account manager, Steelcase. Photo: Tom Wolf topics as Medicare and Medicaid, prescription drug costs and the shi toward value-based payment models. The event complemented the school's growing port- folio of health care management programs and partner- ships, including dual and collaborative programs that combine an MBA with a health-related graduate degree, the Accelerated MBA for Medical Residents and Fellows program, an MBA health care management concentra- tion and non-credit-bearing programs. In addition, the event kicked off the school's Business and Society series, a periodic forum to examine import- ant — and sometimes controversial — issues facing orga- nizations and society. "Business has many ways in which it impacts society, and through this series, the School of Management will bring together thought leaders for a focused, engaged discussion on critical issues facing all of us," said Dean Paul Tesluk. x grad lounge gets extreme makeover The old graduate lounge received a major over- haul last spring, thanks to the generosity of three local companies: Interior Solutions, Steelcase and Hamburg Floor Covering, as well as numerous students who con- tributed to the Graduate Class Gi Fund. The newly named Graduate Study Center was trans- formed from a lounge area to an aesthetically pleasing professional space featuring a stand-up height table with media scape, wireless technology, mobile whiteboards and comfortable seating. Over the past five years, the Graduate Giving Council has raised funds to help current and future students and give back to the school. Full-time MBA and Master of Science students chose to help fund renovation of the space to promote collaboration, team- work and a strong work ethic. x Brittany Popovski. Photo: Tom Wolf Autumn 2017 Buffalo Business 3 Visit bit.ly/healthcarevideo to see the video

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