School of Accountancy
Every organization, both for-profit and nonprofit, must have talented and professional accountants to be successful. With a degree in Accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery, you will be prepared to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in private practice, government, business, and nonprofit corporations. Whether you are drawn to auditing, taxation, financial reporting, or management accounting, AUM’s School of Accountancy equips you with the technical knowledge and professional competencies needed to thrive in one of the most in-demand fields in today’s economy.
AUM’s Accounting program offers both undergraduate and graduate courses designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in accounting, advanced graduate studies, and the education requirements needed to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Alabama. This dual-level structure means that whether you are just beginning your academic journey or looking to build on an existing undergraduate foundation, there is a clear and supported pathway for you at AUM. The program’s curriculum is built around real-world application, ensuring that what you study in the classroom directly maps to the skills employers are actively seeking.
What sets AUM’s School of Accountancy apart is its AACSB-accreditation, not only at the overall business program level, but with specific discipline-level accreditation in Accounting. This is a distinction held by very few programs and signals to employers, graduate schools, and professional licensing boards that AUM’s Accounting graduates have met the highest global standards in accounting education. As the only AACSB-accredited business school in Montgomery, AUM offers an unmatched level of academic credibility for students pursuing careers in accounting in the region.
Beyond the classroom, AUM’s accounting students benefit from engaged faculty who bring both scholarly research and professional experience to every course, small class sizes that allow for meaningful mentorship, and a strong alumni network that opens doors across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. From launching a career at a public accounting firm to working in corporate finance or serving in a government agency, an accounting degree from AUM positions you for long-term professional success.
Degrees in the School of Accountancy
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting Specialization
Master of Accountancy
AUM's Accredited Accounting Program
Auburn University at Montgomery’s School of Accountancy is the only AACSB – International separately accredited accounting program in Montgomery and the River Region and ranks the program in the top of all business AACSB accredited programs in the world.
The School and the professional accounting community are linked by AUM’s Accounting Advisory Board, which advises the School in determining the direction of its instructional and non-instructional programs, and assisting with the placement of graduates.
Accounting
Staff & Faculty
The School of Accountancy faculty not only produces academic publications and presentations, they also produce continuing professional education programs, professional conferences, and high-quality teaching to our undergraduates as well as the graduate students in the Master of Accountancy program.
Darlene Adkins
Assistant Professor | College of Business
Dr. Adkins is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Auburn University at Montgomery, where she has been teaching since 2020. Dr. Adkins earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, with a dissertation focused on the impact of regulatory interventions on broker-dealer audit quality. She also holds a Master of Accountancy from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MBA from Old Dominion University, and multiple certifications, including a Certificate in Public Administration.
Dr. Adkins brings over two decades of experience in both academia and industry, having held teaching positions at institutions like the University of Tennessee at Martin and Box Hill College Kuwait. In addition, she has extensive industry experience, including roles in finance and auditing for organizations such as the Department of Health and Human Services, Lynchburg Community Action Group Inc., and public accounting firms. Her research interests focus on accounting curriculum development, audit quality, and the PCAOB inspection process.
Lauryn Beckham
CPA – Lecturer | College of Business
William Lyle
Assistant Professor | College of Business
William Lyle, DBA, CMA, CFE is an experienced accounting educator and researcher that currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Auburn University at Montgomery. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Florida, where his dissertation focused on the effects of information on tax evasion. He also has a Master of Science in Taxation and a Master of Business Administration from Robert Morris University, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business from the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to his educational qualifications, William is a Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
His research primarily focuses on behavioral accounting, fraud, accounting education, and decision aids. His recent work includes research on occupational fraud, comparisons of traditional and non-traditional doctoral programs, and the effects of tax software on reporting behavior. He has published and presented numerous papers in prestigious journals and conferences
Rhonda Seay
Senior Lecturer; Master of Accountacy Advisor | College of Business
Walter Smith
Associate Professor | College of Business
Walter Smith is an Associate Professor at Auburn University at Montgomery. He earned a BSBA in Production and Operations Management) from The Ohio State University, a BA in Accounting from Marietta College, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from The Ohio State University with minors in microeconomics and decision theory. Walter’s work experience includes the construction and retail industries. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and completed the Experiential Education Academy at the National Society for Experiential Education. His primary research interests are accounting education and student success. Walter teaches undergraduate and graduate accounting courses at AUM and is actively involved in service activities for the School of Accountancy, College of Business, and AUM.
Accolades & Awards
