Accounting is in Demand and Sexy Too, Say Borough President Marty Markowitz
and Professors at Long Island University in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, N.Y. — High employer demand for accountants is drawing widespread attention as the focus of national surveys and the news media and even a topic for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, with one magazine headlining a report, "Green Eyeshades Never Looked So Sexy."

Borough President Markowitz, speaking last week at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, made note of that headline and quipped, "Who knew that the accounting profession would become sexy?"

On a more serious note as he addressed a standing-room-only crowd at the Brooklyn Campus for an IRS Tax Seminar for Tax Professionals, the borough president continued, "The future of accounting is even brighter as companies of all sizes are required to do more oversight and compliance," and he added, "CPAs are greatly needed to serve on the boards of Brooklyn’s cultural institutions, charities, houses of worship and other non-profits." The conference was coordinated by accounting professor Myrna L. Fischman and professor emeritus Philip Wolitzer.

According to AccountingWeb.com and the Job Outlook 2005 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the most in demand college graduate has a degree in accounting.

"Since the dot-com meltdown and the recession that followed, we have seen a mega shift in employment," explained Jordan Kaplan, professor of managerial science and director of the human resources program at the Brooklyn Campus. Noting that current employment trends encompass several professions, he added, "Formerly ‘hot’ fields of finance and computers have given way to growing career opportunities in accounting, healthcare, education and human resources management."

However, Frederic M. Stiner, accounting professor and department chair stresses that the demand for accountants is especially strong because it is fueled by a number of factors. "In addition to normal business and government requirements for financial, managerial and tax accounting, the demand for accountants is being driven by the demand for those who specialize in information security, especially auditors and forensic accountants," he said.

At Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, the Accounting Department offers a B.S., a combined B.S./M.S. and an M.S. in Accounting, as well as an M.S. in Taxation. More information is available at www.brooklyn.liu.edu/sbpais/busmain/business.html.

Long Island University opened its Brooklyn Campus in 1926, welcoming a diverse population at a time when other major universities enforced quota systems against racial and ethnic minorities. Some 31,000 students currently are enrolled at the university’s three residential and three regional campuses, including nearly 12,000 at the Brooklyn Campus. Located at the corner of Flatbush Avenue Extension and DeKalb Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn, the Campus is accessible to all major bus and subway routes and the Long Island Rail Road.