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Major Gift For NMSU

  A New Mexico State University course that will help master's of accountancy students be better-prepared for the communication demands of their field is being supported by one of the international Big Four professional services firms that employs a growing number of those graduates.

The master's-level accounting communications course will be funded by gifts from the Ernst & Young Foundation totaling $30,000 over the next three years. Representatives from EY visited the NMSU College of Business on Oct. 9 to present the $30,000 check to the college.

Kevin Melendrez, head of the college's Accounting and Information Systems Department, said having a class that's targeted toward communication in an accounting context is crucial for graduate students - especially those who intend to sit for their Certified Public Accountant exam in Texas, as many NMSU accounting graduates do. But effective written and verbal communication skills are a must in the field no matter where new graduates intend to begin their careers, he said.

"This course will allow students to be prepared for their careers in accounting, which involve extensive communication with clients and professionals in the business community," Melendrez said.

Being able to guarantee the course each semester through the accounting department, with the help of the EY Foundation gift, will ensure that all graduate students who need it are able to take it, Melendrez said.

Ken Bouyer, Americas director of inclusiveness recruiting for EY, which has more than 700 offices in 140 countries, said the firm places great value on the communication skills of its employees, so it makes sense to invest in programs that produce graduates who are prepared to interact effectively with their clients and peers.

"We believe that communication is absolutely critical to these students - it's a survival skill they need to succeed in this field," Bouyer said at Wednesday's check presentation. "EY is pleased to continue to partner with NMSU on such an important program. Our investment here is an example of our commitment to helping students become leaders in our profession."

The EY Accounting Communications Course, listed as ACCT 510, will be offered beginning in the spring 2014 semester, and will be open only to master's of accountancy students.

For more information on the master's of accountancy program, visit http://business.nmsu.edu/academics/accounting-is/accounting-programs/master-accountancy.