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June 25, 2019

Faculty Spotlight: Joseph McCarthy, M.B.A., Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance; Dean of the School of Education & Social Work

Education:

  • M.B.A. | St. John Fisher College
  • CMA, Certified Management Accountant
  • B.S. | University of South Carolina

Share about your career and teaching?

In my 35-year career, I have spent about two-thirds in higher education as a professor and administrator, and about one-third in corporate America, including ten years as a Vice-President at M&T Bank. I first started teaching at Roberts in the fall of 1999 as an adjunct. I have been here full-time for 12 years. In my years at Roberts, I have taught in their graduate business program, traditional and non-traditional undergraduate business programs, and delivered my classes face-to-face and fully online. I consider myself a business person and financial generalist, so I enjoy teaching in different programs, and Roberts has given me that opportunity.

When did you start becoming interested in Accounting and Business?

In my college years, I became interested in Accounting and Business. I graduated from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. I started working as a financial professional (in the area of financial planning), and immediately started pursuing my MBA, majoring in Accounting/Finance, at Saint John Fisher College. Upon graduation, I started working in accounting/auditing, and completed the requirements to obtain the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I began running in my late 40’s, and have competed in over fifty 5k races. I really enjoy this distance and venues of these races as many raise a significant amount of funds for some important charities and causes in the Greater Rochester area. In my first year of competitive racing, I broke 23 minutes in a race and I have not touched that time since. One of my favorite races was a “4.01k,” sponsored by a financial institution of course, where we ran on a track around a water park.

How do you serve the community at Roberts?

I currently serve as the Dean of the School of Education and Social Work, but my faculty appointment is with the School of Business. Over the years I have served in many interim leadership roles including Executive Director of Finance and Acting CFO, Executive Director of Adult & Graduate Enrollment, Chairperson for the Teacher Education Department, and Chairperson of the Department of Adult & Professional Studies.

How do you serve your community (outside of Roberts)?

I have been active with many community organizations and have served on several non-profit boards over the years including Saint Lawrence Church, Flower City Down Syndrome Network, United Way’s CASH Program, Holy Childhood School, and Artists Unlimited where I served as Treasurer for ten years, as well as served as a volunteer soccer and basketball coach as part of CYO and Greece Girls’ Soccer.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

Interacting with the students in and out of class, and helping them achieve their goals. My aim has always been to demystify accounting and finance, and help non-accounting/financial professionals become more financial literate so they can ask better questions, be more informed, and therefore, make better decisions.

How has working at Roberts helped your spiritual formation?

I have always been a faithful person, but Roberts certainly has been wonderful place to work as one can openly talk about their faith and integrate it into their teaching strategies and lessons in the classroom. I have very much enjoyed the significant diversity of faith traditions that exist on Roberts’ campus, and that the College has embraced that diversity.

What is the most helpful advice you’ve received?

"Be humble and modest; listen more, speak less." As a very high-energy, competitive person this lesson did not come quickly or easily. As one of my mentors said to me as a young professional: “You are not that important”…. Wow, harsh, but it woke me up a bit.

What is an interest you have outside of teaching?

I read only non-fiction, usually biographies. I also love to exercise and travel. When I have downtime, I am usually running/walking, biking, playing golf, swimming or working out at the gym. Although my wife and I usually travel south, our next big trip is to the Ice Hotel de Glace in Quebec City, Canada over Christmas break.

What is one highlight from your time at Roberts?

If I have to narrow down it to one, I guess it would be the incredible support and mentorship I have received from Dave Basinger, CAO. Roberts has been a wonderful place to work. It has allowed me the freedom to work in lots of different areas and with lots of different people. Although it has stretched me at times, I have very much enjoyed all my experiences.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Helping Roberts achieve its goals, guiding younger professors to grow in the profession, and advising and mentoring students as they start their professional and adult lives.


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