  ABOUT
US
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 For
nearly three decades, from the early days of the PC
to today’s wireless classroom applications,
Accounting Professor Mark Friedman has been in the
forefront of computer technology. While at the University,
his philosophy has been guided by a simple perspective:
using pedagogy, service, and academic research to
prepare students for a meaningful and value-added
career in the professional community - and he has
demonstrated his actions in several ways.
As
a pioneer in the use of computers in the accounting
field, Friedman actually purchased the first micro-computer
used in the School of Business _ then raised the funds
for the School’s first IBM based student lab
through his “Dr.Micro” professional training
programs. He organized Florida’s first full-day
computer conference for accountants and has personally
trained thousands of professionals on the efficient
use of computers.
“I enjoy helping graduate business students
understand how to integrate computers into their professional
and personal lives,” said Friedman. “Today,
the ability to use tools like Excel spreadsheets effectively
is an essential skill in the business world.”
As
a researcher, Friedman is involved in the emerging
field of environmental accounting, such as studying
the cost been fits of recycling programs with fellow
Professors R.D Burnett, V. Jayaraman and J. West.
He is also looking at how continuous improvement programs
like “Six Sigma” can be applied in the
accounting profession. A recent article written with
Professor Howard Gitlow, “A ‘Six Sigma’
Primer for CPAs” was published in The CPA Journal.
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An
important element is learning how to use accounting applications
effectively. “We were the first business school
to use individually generated computer case studies and
self-grading applications designed to help students master
accounting concepts,” he said.
In Friedman’s courses, student teams also
work together in developing budgets and production schedules,
sales forecasts and expected net income. “These
projects provide immediate feedback for students in preparing
the different elements of a financial statement, and help
pull the whole course together.”
Because
the cases are prepared in Excel spreadsheet format, students
also get to practice with a real-world application. “Many
people think they know how to use Excel, but only deal
with a small set of its features,” Freidman said.
Many of Friedman’s articles have dealt with the
“hidden powers” of Excel, such as using programmable
“macro” sequences of keystrokes to automate
common tasks. For instance, Friedman and R.D Burnett recently
published “Excel Macros to Quicken SOX Auditing”
in the Journal of Corporate Accounting and Finance.
Friedman
is heavily involved in accounting education. He serves
as the senior editor of The Accounting Educators’
Journal and promotes new techniques for more effective
utilization of the computer in the accounting classrooms.
He also tests and reviews new software applications before
accountants use them.
Friedman is also active in professional accounting organizations.
A member of the American Accounting Association, he is
the past president of the Miami Chapter of the Institute
of Management Accountants, and the past chairmen of the
MicroComputer Committee of the Dade Chapter of the FICPA.
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