Member Spotlight: Bryce Bernard
August 25, 2022
Bryce Bernard, Ph.D., CPA
Dean, Hoff School of Business
Corban University, Salem
Was it worth it to get your CPA credential?
Absolutely! I honestly didn’t fully understand what the credential would mean for me in my career at the start. I trusted the wisdom and advice of Steve Tatone at Aldrich who encouraged me to pursue a career in public accounting and licensure. Obviously the CPA credential provided credibility in the profession and for the last 35 years at Corban the credential and public accounting experience has been the foundation for helping students choose a career in accounting and pursue their own CPA credential.
What do you love about your job at Corban?
Relationships! Teaching for me is about so much more than accounting content. I love teaching accounting and I am so excited when I see the lights come on in a student's mind, but what I love the most is the opportunity to build relationships with students. I get to spend time with students talking about life, careers, and faith, and helping them navigate college and preparing them for life after college.
What have you learned from your students?
Where do I start! Any time you genuinely invite people into a relationship, you learn from them, even students. I think the most significant thing I have learned from students is that my preconceived notions of the perfect accounting student and future CPA are not always right. Every student is unique, even the “C” students often become partners in firms.
It is not my job to make them all fit my version of the CPA mold, but rather it’s to encourage them down the path.
How has being an OSCPA member benefitted you?
Early on in my career I benefited greatly from the OSCPA sponsored professional development opportunities that Aldrich sent me to. Sitting in a conference room with other new employees at other firms was a great experience. The OSCPA has supported me and our students with the Career Showcase, Top Accounting Student, Circle of Excellence, student memberships and Educational Foundation Scholarships. For the smaller schools like Corban these events and opportunities for students to network professionally are invaluable.
What advice do you give your students who aspire to be CPAs?
The road to becoming a CPA is daunting and difficult. The thought of earning 150 hours, passing the exam, and gaining the experience is often overwhelming. I try to remind them that the hard work to earn the credential is worth it. They may not stay in public accounting for their entire career, but their CPA credential will always be relevant. It is a recognized credential that provides personal and professional credibility.