Veronica Paz
For Veronica Paz, accounting is more than numbers at the bottom of a ledger. It’s a language that explains in great detail what happened and why. Learn more about her in this installment of Meet Our Faculty.
What is it about the accounting field that initially drew you in—and ultimately keeps you interested?
Accounting is the language of business. I like to say the financial statements tell a story, and a fabulous accountant is the storyteller of those financials. I also love that everything balances, debits equal credit, and the financials all tick and tie. But more importantly, I love the varied specializations of accounting, such as data analytics, auditing, tax, corporate tax, forensic accounting, cybersecurity forensics, etc.
Why do you enjoy teaching in this discipline?
I love making connections from real-world examples and case studies to the theories and the fundamentals. I also love bringing technology, data analytics, and games into the classroom to make accounting fabulously fun. Whether I am teaching principles of accounting or diving into the complexities of forensic accounting, I find joy in seeing the aha moments when students make connections between theories and real-world scenarios. Secondly, accounting is expanding from information technology to cybersecurity—allowing me to bring more interdisciplinary concepts into the accounting courses I teach.
What advice would you give students about how to succeed in college?
Invest in time management, speed reading, and networking and embrace continuous learning. The accounting field is evolving and changing. Change is the one constant I have seen in my career, so embrace the change and be open to networking with others.