Accounting Alumni

Name: Christy Wells
Hometown: Sonora, CA
Degree Program: Accounting and Business Administration
Graduation Date: May 2005 and May 2007
Primary Email Address: ctwells76@hotmail.com
Your work experience:

I am a staff accountant at Peak Energy in Waynesville, NC.

How did your degree program at Haywood Community College prepare you for your current job?
I used financial accounting and cost accounting daily. I understand the flow of the business due to my educational background at Haywood Community College. Also, I am confident that my education will allow me to succeed no matter where life takes me.
Name: Darrah Horton
Hometown: Waynesville, NC
Degree Program: Business and Accounting
Graduation Date: May 2005
Primary Email Address: darrahleigh@gmail.com
Your work experience:

I am currently the Catering Sales Manager at the Crowne Plaza Resort (manage an array of events booked at the Resort). I am studying to take the Certified Meeting Planner exam next year. I also work on the side planning weddings and other social events.

How did your degree program at Haywood Community College prepare you for your current job?
I attended HCC to complete my Accounting degree and Business Administration degrees, during that time my goals morphed into furthering my education at Appalachian State University to get my CPA license. While at ASU I learned that accounting was not my passion so I got my Hospitality Management Degree. HCC and the instructors gave me the push I needed to crave a higher education. The amount of support I received even after pursuing my bachelors was instrumental in finishing up at ASU. My accounting and business background has helped not only in doing my own events outside of the Crowne Plaza but in streamlining the amount of time I must spend in helping my clients budget for their events.
Name: Kathy Brooks
Hometown: Concord, Virginia
Degree Program: Business Administration & Accounting
Graduation Date: May 2003, May 2004
Primary Email Address: kbrooks@haywood.edu
Your work experience:
I am currently the departmental assistant for Business & Entrepreneurship and Small Business Center at Haywood Community College. My previous background consist of clerial and managerial positions.
How did your degree program at Haywood Community College prepare you for your current job?

Business Administration prepared me to use the concepts learned in class on a daily basis from time management to professionalism. The Accounting program prepared me for many aspect related to my position in regards to contracts and spreadsheets. The instructors at Haywood Community College are the very best in their positions. A student could not ask for a more attentive group of knowledgeable instructors.

Name: Ashley Ferguson
Hometown: Cocke County, Tennessee
Degree Program: Accounting
Graduation Date: May 2007
Primary Email Address: Ashley.ferguson@haymed.org

Your work experience:

I am currently employed at Haywood Regional Medical Center as a Staff Accountant. I gained this position before my graduation from Western Carolina University where I received my BSBA in

Accounting. At HRMC I am responsible for financial reporting, reconciliations, monthly journal entries, and general monthly financial transactions. Healthcare accounting is a completely different world from tax, cost, and auditing. I enjoy working as an accountant in the healthcare world.

Before HRMC I was employed by Parkway Heating & Air as their Office Assistant. While employed there I processed a weekly payroll, payables, and receivables. This was a great learning experience for me. I was able to apply what I had learned in Mr. Forester’s accounting and payroll classes.

How did your degree program at Haywood Community College prepare you for your current job?

The general accounting classes, I believe, better prepared me more that any other. Being able to understand the concepts of the Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAP) and applying them to my everyday financial activities. I could go through all the classes I took and be able to explain how each one has better prepared me for my current job; financial, managerial, intermediate, cost and payroll accounting, income taxes, and personal finance.

Also the business classes prepared me for the professional world. Being able to have experience and knowledge in Excel and QuickBooks and to know what employers are looking for during an interview.

My complete education from HCC was a great success!

Were you required to do COE 111 Co-op in your curriculum? If so, how did the experience help you with your current job?

At the time I was pursuing my degree, the program allowed students to choose between the Co-op and/or the payroll accounting class. I chose to complete both, because I wanted to gain more knowledge in payroll accounting and I wanted the actual experience of working hands on. My Co-op was completed at a local CPA office. I was able to apply the knowledge I gained in my courses and actually work, hands on. Fortunately, I interned during tax season. My duties involved preparing W-2s, 1099s, tax returns, payroll, and quarterly reports. The fast paced environment and multi-tasking has helped me with my current job.

Additional comments:

I feel that being able to attend HCC was a plus in itself. The professors and the atmosphere were so comforting. Students are able to work one on one with their professor and the classes are small enough that you are able to create a bond with your fellow classmates. I especially want to recognize Mr. Forester and Mrs. Smith. They were excellent professors. There never came a time when I was not able to schedule an appointment with one of them or be able to contact them by phone or by email.

Now that I have completed my Bachelor’s degree, I am seeking to enter the Master’s program at WCU. I am looking forward to gaining even more knowledge in my accounting profession and being able to apply the knowledge to my career.