Suzanne Gradisher, J.D.

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Education:

• Juris Doctor, University of Akron School of Law, May 2004
• Master of Tax, University of Akron School, May 2004 (Beta Gamma Sigma)
• MBA (Concentration-Finance), Kent State University, 1990
• BS in Business Administration, Cum Laude (Accounting) University of Nevada Las Vegas, 1989

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant - passed all four parts of exam in one sitting (licensed/not practicing)

Biography

Professional & Academic Experience:

Academic Experience

• University of Akron, Department of Finance, Akron, OH (12/09 - Present)
• University of Akron, Department of Accountancy, Akron, OH (8/02 – 12/09)
  Full-Time Instructor (former grad asst)
  • Teach Financial and Managerial Accounting (undergraduate), Taxation for Individuals (Tax I) and Taxation for Entities (Tax II) for both Undergraduates and Graduates, Taxation for CFP’s.
  • Tutor students in Accounting (Financial, Managerial, Cost and Tax)
  • Organize Tax Conference and Symposium on Information Systems Risk, Security & Assurance
  • Faculty advisor - Deloitte & Touche Tax Competition for accounting students

Professional Experience

• Associate Attorney-Amer Cunningham Co., LPA, Akron, OH (11/05 – present)
  
  
  • Currently responsible for Probate, Guardianships, Estate Planning and Taxation matters which includes the preparation and review of Estate Tax Returns, Estate Income tax Returns, Individual Tax Returns and some exposure to Corporate Tax Returns.

• Summit County CASA/Guardian Ad Litem, Akron, Ohio 1/2001 - 8/2001
  
  
  • Child advocate (Volunteer)

• Director of Inventory Accounting-USA Discounters, Virginia Beach, VA (7/00 - 11/00)
  
  
  • Managed all inventory accounting and loss control efforts for four stores and two warehouses and developed managerial reports to help management in decision making.
  • Negotiated contract with third-party provider of fulfillment
  • Worked closely with sales and account management team to resolve potential partner concerns
  • Developed success measures for marketing, fulfillment, customer service, inventory control, and merchandising

• Director, Supply Chain Management-eOutlets.com, Baltimore, MD (2/00-4/00)
  
  
  • Negotiated contract with third-party provider of fulfillment
  • Worked closely with sales and account management team to resolve potential partner concerns
  • Developed success measures for marketing, fulfillment, customer service, inventory control, and merchandising

• Director, Inventory Control-Kmart Corporation, Troy, MI (9/99 - 2/00)
  
  
  • Responsible for all aspects of inventory control/shrinkage for 2,159 stores and 18 distribution centers including analyzing, reconciling and reporting inventory activity
  • Identification and communication of major WMS system, financial and operational control weaknesses


• Borders Group Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (BGI) (5/95 - 9/99)
  Associate Director, Inventory Control Stores and Receipt of Goods (BGI 12/97 - 9/99)
  
  
  • Responsible for all aspects of inventory control for 900 mall based stores and 750 seasonal kiosks locations including analyzing, reconciling and reporting all inventory activity
  • Identified, communicated and implemented control improvements that contributed to reduction of store shrinkage percentage by 35 basis points
  • Assisted in acquisition of toy-based retail kiosk operation
  • Enhanced controls and implemented procedures to recover freight shortages, carrier damages and insurance claims
  • Developed and implemented a Receipt of Goods department for Border stores
  • Hired, trained and developed staff


• Manager, Inventory Control-Distribution Centers (BGI 11/95 - 12/97)
  
  
  • Developed and implemented new returns process by utilizing third party warehouse, resulting in elimination of loss exposure, expanded management reporting, decreased in-transit and increased cash flow
  • Hired, trained and developed staff
  • Responsible for all aspects of Inventory control for six distribution/returns processing facilities
  • Participated in creating and implementing new fulfillment center for e-commerce division
  • Created field reporting for field management to enabled better retail training and supervision
  • Built partnership across all Home Office, Warehouse Management and Field divisions


• Senior Inventory Control Analyst (BGI 5/95 - 11/95)
  • Coordinated move of Waldenbooks Inventory control function from CT to MI


• Manager, Inventory Control-Sally Beauty Company, Denton, TX (9/94 - 1/95)
  
  
  • Responsible for all aspects of inventory control for 1,300 retail units and five distribution centers including all physical inventory scheduling, reconciliation, planning and reporting
  • Educated field and corporate personnel on inventory management
  • Coordinated all communication between inventory service and field personnel


• Revco D.S., Twinsburg, OH (1/91 – 9/94)
  Loss Prevention Controller - (8/93 - 9/94)
  • Responsible for all loss prevention for 40 retail units
  • Investigated and resolved large inventory or monetary losses
  • Trained employees and field personnel in inventory shrinkage control


• Internal Auditor (Associate through Senior), (1/91 - 8/93)
  
  
  • Audited all operational functions involving the movement of inventory and monetary funds
  • Analyzed corporate and store inventory reconciliation and inventory procedures
  • Developed and implemented a Store Manager training program
  • Provided guidance and training of Associate Auditors

Teaching Interests:

• Tax
• Estate Planning
• Accounting

Research Interests:

• Tax
• Estate Planning

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Research Accomplishments

Recent Publications:

• "Teaching Business Ethics: A Quandary for Accounting Professors" with Gary B. Frank and Emeka Ofobike. Journal of Education for Business, Accepted Fall 2008. Forthcoming in 2009.

Refereed Presentations:

• "Teaching Business Ethics: A Quandary for Accounting Professors" with Gary B. Frank and Emeka Ofobike. Ohio AAA Meeting, Columbus, OH, May 10-12, 2006.

 

Pedagogical Material Developed:

• Developed PowerPoint Slides for Hilton, R. Managerial Accounting 8th edition, McGraw Hill, 2009.
• Reviewed and correct Homework Manager content for Managerial Accounting 8th edition, McGraw Hill, 2009.
• Reviewed and Submitted Comments / Completed Survey for a New Managerial Accounting Textbook Authored By Sawyers/Jackson/Jenkins, South-Western College Publishing, 2009.

Conferences and Workshops:

• McHill Managerial Accounting Symposium 2009, Amelia Island, Florida, April 2 – 5, 2009.

 

Research in Progress:

• Thomas Calderon, Suzanne M. Gradisher & Autumn Neitzelt. Analyzing Profitably and Taxation In A Small Business. Target Journal, Journal of Accounting Education.