UCA PROFILE 
Dr. Michael Moore, Excellence in Teaching award adds up

Dr. Michael Moore’s traditional teaching style has helped him to become the recipient of the first annual Excellence in Teaching award from the College of Business. As a professor of accounting he has focused upon teaching the theories behind accounting, instead of just the rules.

Moore teaches financial accounting which, he said, "was a fairly dry topic up until the Enron scandal." Financial accounting focuses on preparing information for people who are outside the firm in making investment decisions. Since this topic is so broad, Moore feels that a lecture method of teaching is the most suitable for his students.

"A lot of accounting courses are evolving into a team-based teaching style, which is appropriate for some," said Moore. However, he feels that the foundation of accounting is important, so he stays with the basics. "Accounting is problem-oriented and there is a lot of homework," Moore said. He also employs Microsoft Excel in making assignments because it is a tool that is used heavily by accountants.

Due to Congressional changes in tax laws and codes, every aspect of accounting changes over time. This is why Moore feels that the theories behind the rules are more important than the rules themselves. "If students can understand the theories behind why the rules are made then, when later changes are made, they will be able to evolve with the rules," Moore said. His focus is to help the students to become lifelong learners through establishing a solid foundation of accounting fundamentals.

Moore feels that the Excellence in Teaching award is something that many professors in the College of Business deserved. His colleagues in the Department of Accounting have made Moore certain of this. "There is a lot of teamwork and everyone’s very compatible. Someone is always willing to help," he said, "It’s an honor to be recognized."

Moore’s focus for the future is to evolve with any changes that may come his way and to become better because of it. "Keep on keeping on," Moore said of his future plans. Like many college professors, he also would like to do some research and writing, but his overall goal is fitting of an Excellence in Teaching award winner. "My ultimate goal is to become a better teacher," Moore said.

Written by Jake Harvey, Office of Communications