Northeastern State University instructor receives Distinguished CPA award

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Vicki Spencer, an instructor of accounting at Northeastern State University, was recently named a recipient of the 2012 Distinguished CPA Award by the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Spencer was nominated by the Eastern Chapter of CPAs and other members wrote letters in support of her nomination. She was officially presented the award at the OSCPA's annual meeting on June 8 in Oklahoma City.

"When I went to accept the award, I didn't realize I had to make a speech," she said. "I think I did well, but if it hadn't been for all the teaching I have done through the years it would have terrified me."

Spencer is a past president and past secretary of the OSCPA eastern chapter and runs a private CPA practice in addition to teaching at NSU.

Active in the eastern Oklahoma CPA chapter and her church, God's Powerhouse in Muskogee, Spencer said being a CPA "has never been just a job, or work I do just for the money."

She added that she got into teaching on the advice of friends whom she trusted.

"They all said I had a talent for it," she said. "As a teacher, I want to help the students and I work to be available to them for advisement. I also try to provide encouragement and be positive."

Spencer earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from NSU and has taught at Northeastern since 2000. She serves as instructor for managerial, financial and other accounting courses.

"I love teaching and I love NSU," she said. "I love northeastern Oklahoma and the people who live here, and I want to do what I can to help them succeed."

The Distinguished CPA Award was created to encourage Oklahoma Society of CPA chapters to recognize members who differentiate themselves through volunteer commitments. The "CPA" award stands for community involvement, professionalism and activism in the profession.