As part of her coursework last spring, accountancy student Crystal Wong’s honors thesis was accepted for publication in an upcoming issue of the academic journal Strategic Finance — the award-winning flagship publication of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA®).
Wong’s article examines the pipeline of accounting majors and how to overcome the challenges of a shrinking accountancy student population. She presented her work at the NIU Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) in May, just as she was earning her bachelor’s degree in accountancy. This fall, Wong began pursuing her Master of Accounting Science (MAS) at NIU.
Growing up in Naperville, Illinois, Wong had a strong sense of work ethic from an early age, and she set her sights high, excelling at school.
“As I grew up, I always wanted to either be an accountant or math teacher,” she said. “Ultimately, I am very happy that I decided to pursue my dream to become an accountant. My aspiration to become an accountant was majorly inspired by my childhood role model — my uncle who’s a successful accountant and NIU alumnus. He suggested I consider the same career when I mentioned at 10 years old that math was my favorite subject.”
While Wong knew of NIU from her uncle’s experiences, she also heard from several high school teachers about NIU’s excellent program for accountancy students. Once she enrolled and began her undergraduate accountancy studies, she began to learn about other important areas of business, such as communication.
“My most memorable NIU experience was when my accountancy classmates and I went on a field trip to Second City — the oldest improvisational theater troupe in downtown Chicago,” she said. “We attended a daylong communication workshop there. The workshop consisted of various activities that honed our communication skills while building close connections with my classmates. It was really fun to meet new people while completing the interactive and engaging activities. I enjoyed the improv sessions that filled the room with joyful laughter.”
Wong also earned real-world experience in the College of Business. She completed two summer internships at Deloitte as an audit intern, and was the project manager for a consulting project for the Chicago Bulls.
By the time Wong entered her last year of her undergraduate education, she had stacked up experiences and successes, and her honors thesis being published was just the cherry on top.
“Recently, the number of college students majoring in accounting has significantly decreased, resulting in fewer new accountants entering the industry. This presents a talent shortage while the demand for accountants remains high. The objective of my research study is to identify the potential methods that can be implemented to attract more students to major in accountancy and to contribute insights that may be useful in solving the accounting pipeline issue,” she said.
To gather data, Wong used an anonymous survey funded by donor support to the Department of Accountancy. She distributed the survey to current students in NIU’s College of Business, asking questions about factors that influence students’ decisions to select their respective college major and their perceptions on the accounting profession.
“The first major finding of my research is that most non-accountancy students are unaware of the versatility and different career paths that an accounting degree can offer them,” she said. Wong hopes her research will help public policy organizations to develop actions plans that may attract more college students to major in accountancy.
Department of Accountancy Associate Professor Candice Hux served as Wong’s advisor for her research project. Student-centered research publications, like Wong’s, align perfectly with the NIU Department of Accountancy’s focus on creating student learning experiences and supporting research that advances the profession.
“Seeing students succeed and get published early in their academic careers is incredibly gratifying,” Hux said. “It validates their hard work and the relevance of their research. It also sets a strong foundation for being a thought leader in the accounting profession. It’s rewarding to know that I played a part in helping her achieve this milestone and that she has the tools to continue excelling.”
Hux was quick to point out that Wong’s strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity and ability to take initiative readied her for this success.
“She approached her research with a genuine passion and was never afraid to ask questions, challenge assumptions or explore new directions,” Hux said. “Her perseverance and commitment to producing high-quality work set her apart. Additionally, she was always open to feedback and eager to learn, which helped her refine her research and ultimately achieve success.”
“I feel extremely thankful to Professor Hux. She always gave me the best advice and suggestions to ensure the success of my thesis,” Wong said. “Professor Hux always reassured me that I was on the right track throughout every step of my research. She is the best advisor and mentor that I could ask for.”
As for her future career: It is looking bright. Wong has already accepted a full-time offer to work at Deloitte after she completes her master’s degree.
Read the full published article.
Learn more about NIU’s MAS program.
