Newman University adjunct John Exline currently teaches Managerial Accounting for the MBA program and is described by his fellow workers as being, “eminently qualified,” “hardworking,” and “passionate.”
On Sept. 14, Exline was selected by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to become a member of the reformed Small Business Advisory Committee (SBAC). The FASB is a not-for-profit organization based in Norwalk, Conn., that establishes standards for public and private companies following the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Established in 1973, the mission of FASB is to “establish and improve financial accounting and reporting standards to provide useful information to investors and other users of financial reports and educate stakeholders on how to most effectively understand and implement those standards.”
Dean of the School of Business Brett Andrews describes Exline’s position at FASB as a “rare honor” for anyone in the financial accounting business. “Exline is very qualified,” Andrews said. “He has a passion and desire to help his students understand accounting, and the industrial experience he has coming in to teach the MBA program at Newman is huge.”
Exline said his initial reaction to the news was simply, “Wow.” There were around 75 applicants for a handful of positions, but it wasn’t long after the Institute of Management Accountants nominated Exline that he was notified of his selection. “I am very passionate at representing small businesses and this position will give me that opportunity,” Exline said. “It is much easier for big businesses like Koch to be heard, but the little guys don’t always have that chance, so that is what I see my role as.”
Exline currently works full time as the Chief Financial Officer at Clark Investment Group in Wichita. Some of Exline’s past experience include working for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as a Chair of the Small Business Finance and Regulatory Committee; working as an Accounting Manager and Financial Analyst for Koch Industries, Inc., and as a Special Projects Consultant for Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.
“The credentials Exline has assures that his students are ‘cutting edge’ when they leave the classroom,” Andrews said. “In addition to teaching at Newman, he is a good advocate because he speaks to the challenges that small businesses have and he is very passionate in every aspect of his work.”
Exline will be one of only 16 people in the United States to have a voice on the committee, Andrews said. Exline’s first official meeting as a member of FASB will be held in either November or December of this year.
“For students, I hope that this provides awareness of the type of passionate leaders that are drawn to Newman,” Exline said. “[…] because they believe in the vision and mission. Perhaps [this position will] highlight a ‘degree of difference.’”
