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Sara J. Adams, Senior Instructor

"I started teaching because I was so heavily impacted by the accounting faculty at SOU when I was earning my undergraduate degree. My professors helped me get to a place in my education and career that I hadn't thought I was capable of. I wanted to have that impact on students."

Degrees Held:

  • M.S. in Taxation – Golden Gate University, 2013
  • BSBA Public Accounting concentration – Southern Oregon University, 2005

Career Highlights:

I worked in public accounting as a CPA for seven years before teaching (and I still do a fair amount of work on the side—so 12 years in accounting). I have experience in many industries including banking, manufacturing, construction and healthcare. The highlight for me has been providing a wide range of financial services to small business clients—from tax return preparation and consultation to financial statement audits and reviews to general business consulting and payroll. I find that taking some of the stress off of small business owners by dealing with the IRS on their behalf and helping them manage cash flow as well as helping them plan for retirement is very rewarding. Assisting clients through tax audits and helping them prepare financial statements to get business loans is allowing them to focus on running their businesses.

  • How long have you been teaching online courses?

    I've been teaching undergraduate online courses since 2013.

  • What do you want students to take away from your classes? What do you want them to learn?

    I want them to walk away from my class with the confidence to read, interpret and analyze financial statements, which can sometimes seem like another language. I hope to help build the skills they need to go into meetings and have productive conversations with upper management about financial results and strategies for improvements.

  • What is the value of an MBA?

    It opens doors and gives versatility in your career. Options!

  • Why did you start teaching?

    I started teaching because I was so heavily impacted by the accounting faculty at SOU when I was earning my undergraduate degree. My professors helped me get to a place in my education and career that I hadn't thought I was capable of. I wanted to have that impact on students.

  • What advice would you give to those considering the online MBA program?

    An online graduate program can work around your life (job, family, etc.) You can work to increase your earning potential and further your career by completing this program in your own time, on your own schedule. I worked full time as a CPA, raising a family and completed an online master's degree. It was challenging and I enjoyed every minute of it!

  • What is the one book you think everyone should read?

    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.


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Submit this form, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Or call 800-490-7974 800-490-7974

By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Southern Oregon University (SOU) and its agent, Academic Partnerships, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend SOU or to purchase any other goods or services.