UK Accounting Prof Jane Wells Honored by Kentucky CPA Society

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2016) — The Kentucky Society of CPAs (KyCPA) recently recognized outstanding accounting educators at its awards banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville, including the University of Kentucky’s Jane Wells. Wells received an Educator Who Made a Difference award from the organization.

Wells was nominated by Vickie Richardson of Vickie C. Richardson CPA PSC, in Mt. Sterling. In her nomination, Richardson said she was inspired by Wells' real-world accounting experience, and touched by her thoughtful encouragement.

Wells, an associate professor in the Von Allmen School of Accountancy in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, is a former assistant dean of undergraduate studies in the college. She received a bachelor's degree in accounting from UK in 1974, and later earned her master’s degree in accounting, also from the Gatton College, receiving the Peat, Marwick, Mitchell Co. Award as the Outstanding Candidate for the Master of Science in Accounting.

Associate Professor Wells has been honored with numerous teaching awards at UK, including the Great Teacher Award (University of Kentucky Alumni Association) in 1994; the Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Teaching, Nontenured Faculty in 1994; Outstanding Accounting Teacher Award (Beta Alpha Psi) in 1988, 1994, 1997, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014; and Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Gatton College of Business and Economics (Beta Gamma Sigma) in 1989, 1993, 2002 and 2013. Her teaching interests are in financial accounting and international financial accounting.

When asked about her teaching career, Wells said, "Several years ago I heard a radio host ask his audience, ‘If you could have any career, what would it be?’ I realized then, as I still know now, that my dream career and my current career are one and the same. Throughout my over 25 years of teaching accounting at the University of Kentucky, I have had the privilege of teaching a subject I love to intelligent, conscientious students with a passion for learning. And, the most rewarding thing of all for me has been seeing the hard work of my current and former students pay off as they succeed in their professional careers and become leaders in their communities."

Prior to joining the faculty at the Gatton College, Wells worked in public accounting for seven years.  

The Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants (KyCPA) is a statewide, nonprofit professional organization serving CPAs in public accounting firms, business, industry, government and education.