Robert Mogren, MA, CPA
Chief Financial Officer, Weber, Inc.
Teaching focus: Accounting and Financial Management

Where I come from

Where I am in my career today is where I wanted to be from the beginning. I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting at the University of Denver, worked for Deloitte and, later, a local firm. The world of public accounting with its characteristic travel, work hours, and client expectations was not for me. I dreamed of owning and growing a small business.

In 1998, a client, Weber, Inc., was looking for a controller. I was the company's fifth hire; I am now the Chief Financial Officer with a full accounting department reporting to me. The company sells industrial meat and cheese slicing equipment. Our customers now include large processors like Hormel and Sara Lee. Weber has experienced outstanding growth, and I am proud that my financial strategies and practices have contributed significantly to that end.

Along the way, I've had to learn the tax laws of the 30 states we sell in as well as the US Customs laws that apply to our export and import of machinery and parts. My first objective was simply to be sure that we complied with the law, but a few years ago got proof that I'd reached another level. We appealed a US Customs classification of our industrial machinery and won the appeal. We received nearly one million dollars in refunds and avoided excess taxes going forward.

Two sides of my career

I look at my career as having two sides: the accounting profession and teaching at Keller. About 8 years ago, Keller was looking for working practitioners to teach. I went to an interview curious about a job; I came away very motivated to become part of the mission. The center director showed me the curriculum guide and course catalog, and explained the program structure. I was excited by what I saw. It was obvious that Keller had a very well-thought out and well-honed program.

My graduate school had a very strong accounting program and I had seen programs at other schools. Many of them were weak; they lacked rigor and substance. Keller's accounting program was designed to make sure you pass the CPA or CFA exam. I take the teaching side of my career very seriously. Keller lays out certain requirements for senior faculty status, and I achieved it in just two years.

Not for accountants only

Some courses are required of all master's candidates and not just accounting majors. I feel responsible for making the material interesting and relevant to all the students. So for example, let's take ratio analysis. On the surface, this is a little dry, so I set it up as an interactive exercise. I have the students get into groups, take the annual report of a publicly traded company like Harley-Davidson or PepsiCo, and calculate the ratios between financial statement items.

Each group then presents its ratio analysis to the class. The other members of the class question them about the financial performance of the company, taking the role of reporters following up on a press release or news item and challenging their interpretation of the data. The presenters get a taste of the CFO's hot seat; they really have to understand the statements inside out. The challengers learn to probe the numbers for signs of weakness; they have to understand the financial discipline in order to ask good questions. I grade them for their performance in both roles.

Get your money's worth

My best graduate school instructor was Dr. John Bazley, the author of many textbooks on accounting. He was strict but fair. He had high expectations of us and inspired us to perform at the highest level of which we were capable. He gave us our money's worth in every sense.

My goal in every class is to deliver value to the students - lots of current information about the subject that will be useful to them in the profession and in their life. As a teacher, you are not giving students their money's worth if you let them off easy, if you don't demand that they do their best, if you don't prepare them to know all the details about the subject they will be examined on.

Your exam is on my conscience

It is very difficult to achieve CPA certification, and students spend money and tremendous amounts of time preparing for the exams. They have a right to expect that their teachers stay current in the field and give them the best information available. That's why I keep my CPA certification current with continuing education hours, even though I am no longer in public accounting.

I also pursue opportunities to improve as a teacher. I recently took a seminar on adult learning styles and the ways that teachers can adapt their teaching style to benefit all the students. My colleagues are committed to the same purpose, and I have learned a lot from them. I teach both online and onsite and like both formats. I was one of the first instructors to do a live lecture component to online courses, and I like to think that I contributed to the quick success of that program.

Why Keller?

In the marketplace today, there are dozens of options for adult education. I understand that our program is a little more expensive than the competition. When you look at the value you receive, I believe it is worth it. When you finish, you walk away with real skills that you can apply to your career and to advance yourself and your company.

I am very impressed with Keller's curriculum in financial management. I came from a graduate school that I thought was excellent and I am proud to be a member of the Keller faculty. Keller is very upfront with students about the commitment in time and money required to succeed. The program delivers value for money.