Accounting Area

Presented by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University, three faculty members from the Costello College of Business at George Mason University were recognized at the Celebration of Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony on April 13, 2026.

This year’s AGA Datathon—a nationwide competition challenging college students to apply their data science skills to solve real-world government accountability problems—drew talent from many of the nation’s top business colleges. The Costello College of Business at George Mason University was well represented by the team known as the Fiscal Patriots, who rose above the competition to capture first place.

Heather Baker is a CPA with 15 years of audit and tax experience at EY. She focused on the health care industry, and, in addition to client service responsibilities, she was involved in developing internal software programs and procedures. Throughout her public accounting career, she consistently recruited, mentored, and worked with newer staff members, developing her love for teaching. After encouragement from one of her old professors, Baker decided to make the career switch.

David Koo, assistant professor of accounting, comments on proposed changes to quarterly reporting rules for Accounting Today, in an article titled, "Should public companies report twice a year?"

For the past few years, Jerry Pierce, MBA ’92, has been teaching Accounting 203 at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. A course largely attended by sophomores, Pierce relishes the opportunity to impart his wisdom and teach students about the accounting profession and about life in general.

Costello team places second in national AI competition, donates entire winnings—then one member matches the gift.

The Horizons Tracker summarizes accounting professor Han Stice's research on the economic effects of local newspaper closure, in an article titled, "Why Losing Local Newspapers Costs More Than We Think."

Growing up in southern Virginia, Sandy Torchia, BS Accounting ’93, discovered her passion for accounting early. During high school, she realized that hard work in the field could not only open doors to exciting opportunities but also to a fulfilling career.

As a senior manager of state and local tax at RSM US LLP, Erica Cline, BS Accounting ’02, thrives in the firm’s inclusive and collaborative culture.

Accounting professor Han Stice talks to Business Insider about his research on how H-1B visas affected wages for expatriates and U.S. citizens at Deloitte, in an article titled, "After the H-1B visa fee hike, global teams are looking like the future of work."