At BYU-Idaho, the Accounting Department is more than just about numbers—it's a place where students are shaped into leaders who embrace both their professional growth and spiritual development. Patrick Walsh, the chair of the Accounting Department, and Rebecca Ricks, a graduating accounting student, were invited onto BYU-Idaho Radio’s Fulfilling the Mission podcast, where they shared their experiences and insights into how the department is fulfilling the mission of the university.
Walsh explained how the accounting program aligns with the mission of BYU-Idaho by how it builds disciples of Jesus Christ in their homes, their families and their communities. In Walsh’s own opinion, he said accounting impacts all aspects of life, from budgeting family finances to ensuring a local PTA stays within its budget. He explained how it touches everything and how it can be applied in many ways, all while serving others and helping build up communities.
“I think accounting is the best, obviously,” Walsh said. "I think the faculty do a great job of being disciples of Jesus Christ and inviting their students to do things to help them in their personal journey.”
Ricks shared how she has found the Women in Business Society and the Student Accounting Society to be incredibly impactful during her academic journey. She explained how the events that are put on, such as Meet the Firms, are crucial for students looking to network with potential employers as well as other BYU-Idaho alumni.
"We had 50 or so companies worldwide, as well as grad schools come, which was really helpful to me because that’s what I’m looking for,” Ricks said. “A lot of them are BYU-Idaho graduates too, which is cool. Being able to see how life is going for them, how BYU-Idaho helped them and to be able to connect with them and get a job out of that, or an interview or a mentor in the future."
Ricks also reflected on the impact of the accounting program on her personal life. It gave her new relationships with professors and other students, which helped her grow closer to God. She expressed her gratitude in being able to keep Christ at the center in her life, and how BYU-Idaho helped her achieve that goal.
Watch the Accounting Department podcast episode on YouTube or you find it on Spotify and all your favorite podcast apps. You can also watch it below.