For the second year in a row, a Southwestern College professor is being honored by “CPA Practice Advisor” as a recipient of the magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 Award. Patrick Lee, assistant professor of accounting and Enactus advisor at SC, was selected one of 40 “young leaders who are helping to positively shape the accounting and tax profession.”

“It is an honor to be recognized again in the 2017 ‘CPA Practice Advisor's’ 40 under 40 Accounting Professionals list,” Lee says.  “The recognition is an important one in our industry and is looked to by major accounting firms, professionals, and the profession as a whole. In an industry that will take a very different look in the future, I’m excited to be part of an elite group of young professionals finding ways to be part of the change and helping others to make the transition into the new era of accounting.” 

As a member of the 2017 40 Under 40, Lee is invited to attend the 40 under 40 Think Tank Symposium in Indianapolis on October 18-20, where leaders in the accounting profession will come together to tackle today’s challenges in the profession. Lee attended the symposium last year and said it was a wonderful experience.

“Having being named to the 2016 40 under 40, I've been able to meet a lot of innovative and awe-inspiring professionals who are ready to take our profession into the next generation of accounting,” Lee says.  “Being able to network with these individuals in Indianapolis last year has allowed me to get an inside seat of what the future hold for our students and helps give great foresight to our accounting majors about how to be more competitive in their careers.

 “CPA Practice Advisor” calls this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees “the best and brightest talent in the accounting profession. They are all active in the professional community, as well as in their local communities, where many are small business owners and employers. Many are also frequently seen at industry trade shows, such as AICPA PS/Tech and state CPA society events, giving seminars or participating in roundtable discussions on evolving practices and technologies.”

Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south central Kansas. Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. Southwestern College Professional Studies provides option for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military. The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.