For the past two decades, alumni from The University of Baltimore have served in senior leadership positions for the majority of Baltimore’s largest accounting firms—a claim that can be made by no other university, public or private. Over those years, UBalt alumni have earned significant senior leadership roles in the metropolitan area’s 25 largest firms, with a concentration holding University of Baltimore graduate degrees in accounting or taxation. Currently, University of Baltimore alumni are serving in top leadership positions in 11 of the firms.

UBalt’s dominance in this category—as compiled in the Baltimore Business Journal‘s annual Book of Lists—has been steady going back to the 1990s. Consistently, the University has been a top producer of alumni leaders in accounting, with one or more of its graduates in the position of managing partner or its equivalent. In 2013, the University had its highest number of alumni represented, with 13 in the survey of the top 25 largest area firms. Year over year, UBalt’s alumni numbers far surpass the representation of accounting graduates from other universities and colleges. In this year’s list, seven of the alumni have earned a master’s degree in taxation, a program that is offered jointly with The University of Baltimore School of Law, and is the only program available in Maryland.

“The Merrick School of Business is a launchpad for our students’ entrepreneurial and professional careers and accounting is a big part of that principle,” said Murray Dalziel, dean of the school. “We are proud that so many alumni rise to significant leadership positions in area firms, their careers have a huge impact on both business and our community.”

The leaders and their firms’ respective ranking in the 2020/2021 Book of Lists are:

• Jeffrey N. Berman, M.S. ’96, CPA, CFP, PFS, managing partner, KBST&M, P.A. (#22)
• Patrick M. Byer, Sr., MBA, ’94, CPA, managing principal, CLA – Baltimore (#7)
• Simpson H. Gardyn, M.S. ’80, CPA, CVA, managing director, Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn, P.A. (#10)
• Andrew W. Garrett, B.S. ’88, CPA, managing partner, Weil, Akman, Baylin & Coleman (#21)
• Donald Hoffman, M.S. ’84, B.S. ’78, CPA, managing partner, Hoffman Group (#25)
• Ofer Lurman, M.S. ’88, CPA, MSE, CFF, managing partner, Handwerger, Cardenga, Funkhouser & Lurman (#24)
• Harold Mohn, M.S., ’91, CPA, managing director, UHY Advisors Mid-Atlantic, MD (#15)
• Howard J. Rosen, B.S. ’71, CPA, co-managing partner, RS&F Chartered (#14)
• Len Rus, M.S. ’91, CPA, managing partner, Gross, Mendelsohn & Associates (#13)
• Frank G. Savarese, B.S. ’79, M.S. ’86, CPA, managing partner, Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra Chartered (#17)
• Arun Subhas, M.S. ’04, CPA, managing partner, EY – Baltimore (#4)

Ali Filali, B.S., ’20, a candidate for UBalt’s M.S. Accounting and Business Advisory program degree and the president of the University’s Beta Alpha Psi Theta Iota chapter, said the University’s high rate of graduates in leadership roles in the area’s top accounting firms is confirmation of the program’s overall prowess and lasting impact on its graduates.

“As a part of the Accounting program at The University of Baltimore, we pride ourselves with the legacy that we inherited from the leaders that preceded us,” Filali said. “In fact, when applying to schools, this is one of the reasons I chose to come to UBalt compared to some of the other programs available. CFOs and partners from elite accounting firms have walked the same hallways and strived to become the best versions of themselves despite the common challenges of being working adult students. I can confidently say that the authentic engagement of our faculty, professors, and alumni truly has been beneficial to the success of the Accounting Program and Beta Alpha Psi. The connections have allowed me to grow my own network and be able to put my foot in the door to gain experience through internships and job offers from some of the top accounting firms in the area. As I continue my own career journey, I do so with the expectation to continue to give back and carry the torch and legacy of the alumni before me.”

In its undergraduate accounting specialization, the University offers expertise for careers in public accounting, banking, financial analysis, credit management, government, nonprofits, and more. High achieving accounting students are invited to join the school’s Accounting Honors program, a program that exposes them to a deeper understanding of the industry and encourages leadership. On the graduate degree side, the M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services is a specialized program built for both current accounting professionals and career-changers. Rounding out the portfolio, the institution offers an M.S in Taxation program that is paired with the UBalt School of Law’s L.L.M. in Taxation program as well as several accounting certificates.

Learn more about The University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business.

The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, The University of Baltimore School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.

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