Focus on Faculty

Richard C. Jones, Ph.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING, TAXATION AND LEGAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS
FRANK G. ZARB SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

"I try to help students understand the relationship between accounting and the conduct of business. It's part of the tools they need. I present it in the context of business," says Professor Jones, a certified public accountant who's worked at Chemical Banking Corp. and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. What's the best part about teaching? He immediately responds, "Students. Talking to students, helping them understand, advising them about their future as professionals." Although some students are "concerned" that accounting is difficult, he says, "It isn't just numbers." Based on the student feedback he's received, Professor Jones feels, "I'm good at making a complex topic clear and working at a pace so students can catch on." As for the classroom experience, he strives for as much student interaction and participation as possible by "trying to relate accounting to what they've done, to their own experience - although most students haven't worked in real business, except for retail." Technology also plays a role, though not necessarily in the classroom. "It's essential to give students as much as possible online," he says, pointing out that most students are very computer savvy. "I give a lot of assignments on my Web site, and class notes and practice exercises. I use McGraw-Hill's PageOut," which he says is one of several online learning platforms available at Hofstra.