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Contact UsAccounting Profession Debunked: Public vs. Private Accounting
Event recap in case you missed it!
September 5, 2025
We kicked off our fall term virtual event series by hosting our “Accounting Profession Debunked: Public vs. Private Accounting” session last week. With a packed Zoom room of 45+ attendees, we explored one of the most fundamental career crossroads for accounting professionals: public vs. private accounting.
Attendees learned about the differences, benefits, and challenges of each path – debunking the myth that all accounting roles are the same. Dr. Letitia Pleis and Dr. Kelsey Dworkis led the session, drawing from their own professional journeys after graduation, sharing practical advice for students considering their next steps, and answering questions during an open Q&A.
Watch the speaker portion of the event below, featuring our two expert panelists:
Speaker Profiles
Letitia Pleis, PhD, CPA, CMA, CFM | Full Professor at MSU Denver
Letitia is an active CPA and CMA who is focused on graduate education and provides valuable service to both the MPAcc and MBA programs. Letitia started her accounting career as a Financial Analyst for a medium-sized technology company, focusing on budgeting, GL accounting, and business unit-level accounting decisions. Letitia’s main teaching focus is on Cost Accounting, Strategic Cost, and Small Business Accounting. She is a great resource for students looking to network within the professional accounting community.
Kelsey Dworkis, PhD, CPA (in-active) | Assistant Professor at MSU Denver
Kelsey is an assistant professor in the Department of Accounting. Her research focuses on managerial accounting and behavioral decision making. Her primary research interests involve social psychology variables and their influence on accounting decisions. She completed her PhD at the University of Southern California and was an assistant professor at the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia, and the University of Denver prior to joining MSU Denver in 2024. Kelsey teaches Principles of Accounting I and Cost Management. Prior to pursuing a graduate degree, Kelsey worked in the audit practice for Deloitte in Denver and Los Angeles, specializing in Real Estate and Real Estate Investment industries.
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 next virtual event:
- Public Accounting Panel – Friday, Sept 26, 2025, noon – 1pm MT (virtual)
You can see a complete list of upcoming events for our Accounting Roadrunner Community here.