b'ADVANCING KNOWLEDGETRULASKE PARTNERS WITH BECKER TO BRIDGE THE CPA KNOWLEDGE GAPThe Trulaske College of Business has announced an exciting partnership with Becker Professional Educa-tion, a leading name in CPA Exam preparation, that aims to address a significant challenge for aspiring CPAs: the knowledge gaps Bridging Academia and Industry:that many accounting graduates face, which hinder their ability to effectively A SUCCESS STORY study for and prepare to pass the CPA Exam. Many CPA candidates struggle to succeed in their exam preparation due to fundamental gaps in their accounting knowledge. To address this issue, Becker IN THE STEEL MARKET and the School of Accountancy at Trulaske have joined together to develop Becker Academy, a series of foundational course modules designed to bridge these gaps and ensure that CPA candidates are better prepared to undertake CPA exam review. This initiative not only supports students, but also plays a crucial role in addressing the broader CPA pipeline issue, which has implications for the accounting profession as a whole.The School of Accountancy was a natural choice to be Beckers partner in this initiativeour accountancy faculty are known for their teaching excellence and BY KIHYUNG KIM, ASSISTANT TEACHINGexpertise in the field. Our accountancy program is consistently ranked among PROFESSOR, MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT the top in the nation, and our CPA Exam pass rates are among the highest in In an era where interdisciplinary collaboration isand analyzing complex data sets ensure the systemIn conclusion, the Trinity Products project highlightsthe country. These factors made Trulaske and its School of Accountancy ideal crucial for addressing complex industry challenges,provides actionable insights. Meanwhile, the Trulaskethe potential of interdisciplinary collaboration incollaborators with Becker to develop a solution that could significantly impact a recent project with Trinity Products exemplifiesSCM team contributes a strategic perspective,delivering impactful, real-world solutions. By unitingthe readiness and success of CPA candidates.how academia and industry can work togetheraligning the DSSs capabilities with Trinity Prod- the skills and insights of CELDi/ISE and Trulaske SCMTo support the development of the Becker Academy curriculum, the college effectively. This project represents a collaborationucts business goals. This synergy between technicalscholars, the partnership exemplifies how academiahired Dr. Somer Anderson, B.S.B.A., M.Acc. 01, as an associate teaching professor between scholars from the University of Missourisknow-how and strategic management has been keyand industry can work together to achieve mutualof accountancy and coordinator of the Becker Academy initiative for Trulaske. Center for Engineering Logistics and Distributionto the projects success. goals, reinforcing the University of Missouris role as aPreviously, she was the senior manager of curriculum writing at the Association (CELDi), the Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)Beyond its immediate objectives, the collaborationleader in fostering partnerships that yield significantof International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA). She is a CPA, holds department in the College of Engineering, and thehas led to a robust DSS with a user-friendly interfaceresults. This collaboration is a testament to the powera Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation and received Trulaske College of Business Supply Chain Manage- that empowers Trinity Products decision-makers toof interdisciplinary teamwork, delivering comprehen- a Ph.D. in personal financial planning from Kansas State University.Kihyung Kim ment (SCM) team. This dynamic partnership has ledsive solutions that address real-world challenges and to the development of an innovative decision supportnavigate market volatility. The system enables thesetting a precedent for future endeavors. Partnering with Becker is a testament to Trulaskes commitment to excellence system (DSS) that promises to transform Trinity Prod- company to balance supply chain efficiency withand innovation in education, Dean Balaji Rajagopalan said. This collaboration ucts operations in the steel market.market demand, positioning it for success in an ever- The success of this project is owed to collaboratorsallows us to leverage our renowned accountancy faculty and programs to address changing industry.Sharan Srinivas (Departments of Industrial Engi- a critical need in the CPA pipeline, ensuring thatfuture CPAs are better prepared The DSS, designed to predict steel prices and marketThe project also demonstrates Trulaskes commit- neering & Marketing), Anthony Ross (Departmentand poised to excel. Together, we are not just closing foundational knowledge trends weeks in advance, leverages cutting-edgement to fostering industry partnerships, bridgingof Management), Jim Noble (industrial and Systemsgaps, but also paving the way for the next generation of accounting leaders.analytics and machine learning algorithms. This fore- the gap between academia and the private sector.Engineering Department), Kihyung Kim (Manage- To learn more, contact Jake Rose, director of the School of Accountancy, sight is particularly valuable for a company operatingIt showcases how academic institutions can play ament Department), Pyam Oveys (Graduate Researchat j.rose@missouri.edu.in the volatile steel market, enabling strategic deci- pivotal role in advancing industry goals, providingAssistant), Mahima Naznin (Graduate Assistant, sion-making that improves operational efficiencypractical solutions that enhance competitivenessIndustrial and Systems Engineering Department) and and financial performance. The project serves as aand efficiency. Thomas Willerth (Undergraduate Student, Industrial compelling example of how technical expertise andand systems Engineering Department). business acumen can be combined to deliver real- Moreover, the partnership has laid the groundwork world solutions.for future collaboration between the university and CELDi/ISE scholars bring to the table a wealth ofindustry. The success of the project not only benefits knowledge in operations research, engineering andTrinity Products but also serves as a blueprint for data analytics, which forms the backbone of thefuture interdisciplinary endeavors, showcasing how DSS. Their skills in developing predictive modelsthe convergence of technical and business expertise can address complex challenges.28 | TRULASKE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TRULASKE MAGAZINE 2024| 29'