James Gajda,
MBA in Marketing and Finance, MS in Information Sciences, JD, LLM in Taxation, CPA, CMA Corporate Controller, National Casein Company
Teaching focus: Accounting, Finance, General Management

Where I come from

My original goal was to become a college professor. I earned two BS degrees - in Computer Sciences and in Economics - from Purdue University, and then continued to pursue a PhD at the University of Chicago. I transferred from the doctoral program to the business program at the University of Chicago and received an MBA in Marketing and Finance and an MS in Information Sciences. Unable to decide what I really wanted to do career-wise, I continued to pursue a law degree at the IIT/Chicago Kent College of Law. The area that most interested me, then and now, is tax law. Consequently, I applied to the DePaul College of Law and pursued an LLM in Taxation. Along the way, I passed the Indiana and Illinois Bar exams, the CPA exam and the CMA exam.

A cross-industry perspective

Following graduate school, I joined Midcon Corp., a natural gas transmission company in Chicago. I was heavily involved in budgeting, planning, and tax work. I also managed an Accounting department during my years of service there. Eventually I moved to Northwest Indiana Water Company, a privately held utility, where I was Administrative VP and Comptroller. The Accounting, HR, IT, and Customer Service departments were direct reports. It was one of my best career moves in that the position provided a very wide range of experience early in my career.

When the company was taken over, I accepted a position as Controller at Progress Rail Services, a manufacturing company allied to the railroad industry. Later I was a division controller for two large integrated electric generation companies, where I was responsible for handling monthly closings, preparing financial statements, and tracking construction costs. Subsequently, I've served as the CFO of a construction company and the controller at a manufacturing company headquartered in Chicago with five manufacturing plants across the country. I have introduced a new ERP system for corporate and plant accounting and continue to stream-line the accounting process.

As a result of my educational journey, I have been involved in various aspects of accounting, contract analysis, financial management, and a variety of tax work. I've worked for small and large companies, ranging in revenues from $25 million to $11 billion. I have been very fortunate to gain an inside view of many industries during my career. In today's market, many employers want industry-specific experience - not just accounting or legal experience, but something in their SIC code.

Your advancement depends on this

My main focus at Keller is to make sure all my students understand the basics of accounting. Whether they are in accounting (most aren't), finance, marketing, production, or HR, it is important to recognize that advancing up the corporate ladder requires some accounting skills. While students don't have to be experts in producing financial statements, they have to be able to understand and deal with financial information relevant to the functional areas they manage.

In this regard, my classes incorporate practical examples interspersed with theoretical concepts. In each class, there is a practical project or paper applying theories to real life situations in order to discover and recognize "best practices." One of my favorite exercises in Entrepreneurial Finance requires students to interview an owner of a start-up business regarding funding sources and general operations as related to the business plan.

Teaching for Becker and Keller

Years ago, I began teaching part-time at Indiana University Northwest and enjoyed the experience. The thought of teaching full-time, however, with the requisite administrative and bureaucratic duties, did not appeal to me at that time. I began teaching the Becker CPA Review Courses over 20 years ago and taught my initial Keller class in 1998, and now have the best of both worlds - the rewards of teaching and the challenges of a career.

In order improve relevant job skills, I take continuing education courses to maintain my CPA and CMA certifications as well as my law licenses. That, coupled with teaching at Keller and the Becker courses keeps me on the cutting edge of accounting practices. While I might not encounter every accounting issue or procedure on the job, I certainly do in teaching the review course.

Because I have been working and teaching for several years, many students call for advice on career moves. Generally I am able to counsel and coach them through their options, providing insight into certain opportunities or issues to be addressed.

Why Keller?

Keller degree programs have many positive advantages over other business degree programs. The key is its practical orientation, which provides immediate benefits. One can learn something in class tonight and use it on the job tomorrow. When instructors are working practitioners, students gain valid insights into the way things work in the real world.

The program administrators and instructors are much more caring and much more interested in student success than at other institutions. If a student doesn't attend class for a few weeks, the administrative staff makes a phone call to inquire if a problem exists.

Last but not least, Keller has a stellar reputation. The Keller degree commands respect. I have written many recommendations for students with a Keller MBA. The Keller degree was a real plus in helping them get, and succeed in, the position.