It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of Donald E. Kieso, Ph.D., CPA, on Feb. 25, 2026, and we remember the profound and lasting impact he had on NIU students, particularly students in the College of Business.
An NIU accountancy professor who retired from NIU in 1992 after more than 30 years of teaching, Professor Kieso earned the university’s highest award for teaching and gained national recognition as the author of “Intermediate Accounting,” widely considered as the gold standard of financial accounting textbooks for over 50 years.
Kieso earned his bachelor’s degree from Aurora University and his doctorate in accounting from the University of Illinois. He had public accounting experience with Price Waterhouse & Co. (San Francisco and Chicago) and Arthur Andersen & Co. (Chicago), and research experience with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (New York) before coming to NIU in the 1960s.
In 1967, Kieso was chosen as the first recipient of NIU’s Teaching Excellence Award. Just five years later at the age of 36, he was appointed as the chair of NIU’s Department of Accountancy. Kieso continued to be recognized as an outstanding educator and was awarded the Golden Apple Teaching Award four times by his students.
In 1986, Kieso received the honor of becoming the holder of NIU’s first named professorship — the Peat Marwick Professor of Accounting — when 10 of his former NIU students who worked at Peat Marwick nominated him for the honor.
“I had the great fortune of having Don Kieso for my financial accounting class,” said Joan Bottarini, ’93, who serves as chair of the College of Business Dean’s Board of Executive Advisors. “He literally wrote the book on financial accounting, and it was a great source of pride. I remember when I took the CPA exam, people from other schools were there and they were walking around with their financial accounting books with Don Kieso on the cover. And I would think, yeah, I learned from that professor.”
Kieso was a member of the American Accounting Association; the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and the Illinois CPA Society. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois CPA Society; the AACSB’ s Accounting Accreditation Committees; the state of Illinois Comptroller’s Commission, as secretary-treasurer of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy; and as secretary-treasurer of the American Accounting Association. In addition, he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of Aurora University, and the Board of Directors of Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Valley West Community Hospital, the Illinois Hospital Association and Castle Bank. He was also a charter member of the national Accounting Education Change Commission.
Throughout his distinguished career, he was recognized with dozens of awards, including the Outstanding Accounting Educator Award from the Illinois CPA Society; the Federation of Schools of Accountancy’s Joseph A. Silvoso Award of Merit; the NIU Foundation’s Humanitarian Award for Service to Higher Education; a Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois CPA Society; the NIU Foundation’s Philanthropist of the Year Award; and NIU’s F.R. Geigle Service Award.
In 2013, Kieso and his wife Donna created the Donald and Donna Kieso Endowed Scholarship in Accountancy to give back to NIU. Through their generosity, this scholarship continues to provide support for graduate and undergraduate students who are majoring in accounting at NIU, transforming the lives and careers of Huskies each year.
“Don was always busy — building, creating and achieving — but his lasting legacy is defined by his generosity and kindness,” said Kate Mantzke, Donna R. Kieso Professor of Accountancy. “In holding the Donna R. Kieso Professorship since its creation in 2013, it has been an honor to get to know Don and his family. I will always remember Don’s generosity to NIU students and the college. Don’s accomplishments were great, but his heart was even greater.”
“Don Kieso was an outstanding accounting educator and mentor for thousands of students and faculty,” said Brad Cripe, the Donald E. Kieso Endowed Chair in Accountancy. “His efforts contributed to the national recognition of the Department of Accountancy and the NIU College of Business that continues to this day. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Don and his family for all they have done over so many years for our students and faculty.”
Until his passing, Kieso held the title of KPMG Peat Marwick Emeritus Professor of Accounting in the College of Business.
“Don Kieso’s impact on NIU’s accountancy program and our College of Business cannot be overstated,” said College of Business Dean Joan Phillips-Hernandez. “We are saddened by this incredible loss but also inspired by Don’s legacy of excellence, integrity and generosity. These traits have been woven into the fabric of our college, and in this way, his work will continue through our shared mission.”
