Working with Numbers: Scott Dunbar ’23 Puts His Accounting Degree to Good Use
By Judith Kelliher
In his earlier school days, Scott Dunbar ’23 had a penchant for learning math, science, and history. While a senior in high school, his favorite classes were anatomy and physiology. That later interest in science led him to initially become a Sports Biology major at Springfield College.
But due to a variety of factors, including the challenge of learning virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunbar turned to an academic program that would pair well with his solid understanding of math and working with numbers. After consulting with department heads at the College, and having earned essential transfer credits from an online Springfield Technical Community College business class, he landed on becoming an Accounting major.
“I knew I would be learning about one of life’s ‘guarantees,’ in this case taxes, as well as the financial framework of everything that makes the world go round,” he said.
Today, Dunbar works as a staff accountant at Aaron Smith, P.C., a certified public accounting firm in East Longmeadow, Mass. On any given day, Dunbar’s main responsibilities differ depending on the client. For example, if it is a business client (partnership, corporation, etc.), he generates and organizes multiple types of reports/forms (cash, assets, liabilities, equities, income, expenses, tax) in an online “binder” and applies the information to their tax return for the year. If it is an individual client or a trust, he typically obtains all of the reports and forms that the client wants included and inputs them into the firm’s tax software, all while determining if the client owes money or if they are owed money.
“In the job, I have learned to be more attentive and analytical, as well as develop a greater sense of logical decision-making,” he said.
For prospective students interested in accounting, Dunbar believes there are lots of opportunities for careers in that field due to the flexibility of the kind of jobs requiring accounting services.
“Whether it’s joining the business world, becoming a tax professional, serving a role in the government like forensic accounting or the IRS, or simple bookkeeping, you will be needed to do work 90% of people will never even think about,” he said.
Dunbar sees the future of accounting as remaining relevant, despite the emergence of artificial intelligence. “A human pair of eyes, printed copies, and something to write with will always be reliable in helping assure accuracy” he noted.
When reflecting on his time on Alden Street, Dunbar is proud of his accomplishments as a member of the cross country and track and field teams. In particular, he fondly remembers running under five minutes in the mile race during an indoor track meet his junior year, as well as setting a personal best in the 1500-meter race later that season in an outdoor meet, all while competing with all of his teammates on the same day.
Dunbar says he benefited from being a student-athlete as it taught him that while “work” and “play” are both essential parts of real life, they need to work off of each other in order to maintain a happy medium.
“My studies/profession will always be of the upmost importance regarding my career, yet finding time to treat myself, like working out, hanging with friends, relaxing, playing trivia, is also needed as a means of knowing the right time to make that mental shift and understand, ‘Okay, time to focus on work/play for now; it’ll eventually be time for the other.’”
Help us share more stories like this! We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, please reach out to marketing@springfield.edu.
