CPAexcel’s students learn from the top team of CPA Review Course Professors in the country. These professors author the content, deliver the lectures and mentor those students who have elected to receive Professor Mentoring services as part of their CPA Review Course. We decided to ask our CPA Review Course Professors a few fun questions to get to know them better. This week, we feature Dr. Allen H. Bizzell.

CPAexcel: What one thing do you wish all of your accounting students knew before coming into your class?

Dr. Bizzell: If you have the education required to sit for the CPA Exam, you CAN PASS the Exam. It will take some time and effort, but it is the best investment in your career that you can make. Don’t think of it as “spending” time preparing for the Exam; think of it as “investing” time in passing the Exam—an investment that will pay off the rest of your career.

CPAexcel: Which accounting topic do your students currently find the most challenging?

Dr. Bizzell: Many candidates find quantitative topics the most challenging. But, they should recognize that for the CPA Exam they don’t need to be a mathematician. Questions on the Exam can be answered with only a basic knowledge of quantitative concepts. The formulas covered in the CPAexcel material give candidates the understanding needed to apply them on the Exam.

CPAexcel: What do you say to students who ask, “Why should I major in accounting?”

Dr. Bizzell: One word, “opportunity”! If I had to use two words, they would be “unlimited opportunity”! Accounting is the language of business. Understanding that language will help you succeed whatever area of business you pursue.

CPAexcel: What’s the most enjoyable accounting concept to teach?

Dr. Bizzell: Of all of the material I’ve taught, accounting for business combinations—mergers and acquisitions. In the BEC material, I especially enjoy relating the economic and financial concepts covered in the course to real-world examples and applications.

CPAexcel: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the accounting teaching field during your career?

Dr. Bizzell: Clearly, the biggest change has been the move from a pencil and paper environment to the extensive use of electronic devices—computers, scanners, telecommunications, and the like. That same change has occurred in the administration of the CPA Exam. It has gone from one administered exclusively with pencil and paper to one that is presented exclusively on the computer.

CPAexcel: Does your family ask you to do their taxes?

Dr. Bizzell: Fortunately, no. I have a brother who has a successful CPA firm that does taxes for the entire family. As an aside, I taught him his first accounting class many years ago.

CPAexcel: What do you do for fun when not teaching? Or, how do you relax?

Dr. Bizzell: My family owns and operates a marina. When I want to get away from academic “stuff” I go work on the dock—gassing-up boats, selling beer, ice and other convenience items, talking with customers. That keeps me “grounded”. They all call me “Dr. dock-boy”.

Bio Snapshot

• University of Texas, Austin
  • Associate Dean Emeritus, College of Business Administration/Graduate School of Business;
  • Professor Emeritus, Department of Accounting.
  • Prof. Bizzell joined the faculty in 1972 and retired in 2000.
  • Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs 1979-1987
  • Associate Dean for Administration 1987-2000
  • Director of LEAD program, making it a success

• Allen Bizzell has been involved with the CPA Exam for almost 30 years as a researcher, developer of exam-related materials and review course instructor. He has conducted numerous CPA Exam-related studies, including several analyses of CPA Exam Candidates’ Characteristics and Performance for the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. He has developed CPA review materials and taught review courses at both the national and local levels.
• Received the student council’s award for teaching excellence at University of Texas.
• Received Outstanding Faculty Advisor from Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society in 1975­–1976. Only four faculty advisors in the entire US were honored.