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Contact UsAccounting Profession Debunked: Private Accounting Panel
Event recap in case you missed it!
October 13, 2025
Curious about accounting career paths beyond public accounting?
So were our students, especially after attending the first two virtual events in our “Accounting Profession Debunked” series.
Last week, Senior Lecturer Jim Murphy led our “Private Accounting Panel” event, featuring 5 local professionals in our Accounting Roadrunner Community. All MPAcc alumni, these panelists work across a range of industries and brought valuable insights to the conversation. They shared their career journeys, offered advice for students entering and advancing in private accounting, and discussed how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of the profession.
Below you can view a recording of the speaker portion of this event featuring all 6 of our speakers:
The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSU Denver.
Speaker Profiles
Jim Murphy, MBA, CPA, CMA, CIA | Senior Lecturer, MSU Denver
Jim is a Roadrunner through and through! Jim is an alum, a prior faculty advisor for the Accounting Student Organization, and has been teaching various accounting classes for 15 years. Jim has over 25 years of experience working in private accounting, mostly across manufacturing.
Chris Hinkel, MPAcc | CFO, Tuff Shed, Inc.
Chris Hinkel is the Chief Financial Officer of Tuff Shed, Inc., based in Denver, Colorado, where he has advanced through roles in accounting and finance since joining the company in 2015. He holds a Master of Professional Accountancy from Metropolitan State University of Denver and began his career as an auditor at EKS&H. When he’s not working, Chris loves exploring Colorado’s mountains on foot or by gravel bike and spending time in the kitchen cooking for family and friends.
Brittany McKinley, MPAcc, CPA, CIA | Associate Vice President of Internal Audit, Elevations Credit Union
Brittany McKinley earned both her Bachelor’s in Accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy through MSU Denver’s accelerated 3+2 program in 2017. She began her career at a large regional public accounting firm before transitioning into Internal Audit at Elevations Credit Union. In her current role, she focuses on risk management by validating internal controls and offering strategic insights on managing risk. Brittany is passionate about strengthening organizational resilience through collaboration and data-driven insights.
Maury Green, MPAcc, CMA | Director, Corporate Accounting at Graebel Companies
Maury is an alumnus of MSU Denver with both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Accounting. She has cultivated her career for the last 13 years in-industry at both private and public companies, working in diverse industries such as energy, construction, and relocation. Maury specializes in Revenue Accounting with focuses in both ASC 606 compliance and growth strategy.
Scott Crawford, MPAcc | Associate Director, FP&A at Thea Pharma
Scott Crawford is the Associate Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at Thea Pharma US (A subsidiary of global ophthalmology leader Laboratoires Thea), where he leads strategic financial initiatives for both Pharmaceutical & OTC brands. With nearly a decade of progressive experience in full-cycle accounting, budgeting, and performance analysis, he has held key roles across industries—from consumer health and sports entertainment to mechanical contracting and hospitality. Before joining Thea Pharma, he served as Assistant Controller at Similasan Corporation, overseeing financial operations for a $75M+ portfolio and driving process improvements that significantly enhanced reporting efficiency. Scott holds a Master’s in Professional Accountancy from Metropolitan State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Valdosta State University, where he was a scholarship athlete and part of the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship football team.
David Campos, MPAcc, EA | Senior Tax Manager, LegalZoom; CEO, DC Business Services
David has filed more than 3,000 tax returns, serving a diverse client base ranging from small businesses and real estate investors to entrepreneurs, content creators, and international clients. He specializes in complex tax planning, entity structuring, and bookkeeping, with a strong focus on helping clients grow and stay compliant. Beyond taxes, David is also passionate about building efficient systems, leveraging technology, and guiding others toward financial success.
Key Takeaways from Our Panelists
- Start building your network today. Relationships matter. Whether you’re attending events like Meet the Firms, chatting with classmates, or striking up a conversation while waiting for coffee, every interaction is a potential opportunity. You never know where a conversation may lead!
- Pursue certifications of interest early. If you’re planning to earn a certification, start while concepts are still fresh and you’re in a study-ready mindset. Early action can make the process smoother and more successful.
- Seek out professional experiences and stay visible. Excel in your current role, then proactively ask your supervisor how you can help more. Say yes to opportunities that allow you to learn or explore new areas, and connect with colleagues across teams. When advancement opportunities arise, you want to be top of mind.
- Embrace AI. Learn how to use it to automate simple tasks and interpret data so you can deliver more strategic high-value work. Staying ahead of the curve will help you remain competitive and innovative in the field.
This Fall ’25 term, our virtual events are all about breaking down common misconceptions about the accounting field. Each session will dive into the realities of the profession, spotlighting the wide-ranging roles and paths available to today’s accountants. It’s not just about crunching numbers—it’s about strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business impact.
RSVP for our last virtual event of this series:
- Accounting Careers in Government – Friday, Oct 17, 2025, noon – 1pm MT (virtual)
You can see a complete list of upcoming events for our Accounting Roadrunner Community here.