The BYU Marriott School of Business welcomed back alumni for a weekend of accounting research proposals and reunions.
A sea of blue-collared button-downs flowed into the Tanner Building for Brigham Young University’s 22nd Annual Accounting Research Symposium. It started on Sept. 18 and finished on Sept. 20, with more than 170 participants in attendance.
These accounting alumni gathered to discuss their cutting-edge research and make lasting connections. Like the symposium, BYU hosts many events that invites the university community to come together, like FSY or Education week.
“The symposium provides opportunities for learning and connection, but the emphasis here is more specialized and academic,” Travis Dyer, BYU associate professor of accounting, said.
There was a spirit of camaraderie among the attendees as they set each other up for success throughout the weekend.
“It’s a great opportunity to get early feedback on upcoming work,” Ryan Sommerfeldt, a BYU assistant professor at the Marriott School of Business, said.
Most of the attendees doubled as presenters, making the symposium a full three-day endeavor.
Though there were some current BYU students in attendance, the symposium was mostly comprised of individuals in the professional accounting sphere.
“Overall, it’s a collegial, energizing environment where scholarship and connection both thrive,” Dyer said.
A crowd of accomplished alumni may have seemed like an intimidating scene, but the constant stream of hugs and happy salutations indicated otherwise. Whenever attendees counseled together on their research, they spoke in constructive and supportive tones.
“It’s a really friendly audience that is helpful for them," Sommerfeldt said.
This attitude was even present at a panel discussion targeted towards BYU’s prospective PhD students. The panelists actively sought out the students by name and checked with them before the discussion began.
“Network with each other, the community is so small,” Chad Simon, a USU accounting professor, said during the panel discussion.
A major part of the discussion focused on how the accounting business is also a people business.
“It’s a powerful market, and people look out for each other,” Reed Dickson, a third-year PhD student at the University of Arizona, said.