Accounting professor Dr. Rick Simpson received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants in recognition of his services in the field.

“The award is presented annually to individuals who distinguish themselves as full-time accounting educators with attention to the three areas of responsibility for any academic: teaching, research and service to the profession,” said Simpson, currently serving as the president of the Northshore chapter of LCPA. 

Simpson has served the accounting field through 29 years of teaching, holding position as head of the Department of Accounting and Finance at Southeastern and serving on LCPA’s Accounting Education Issues Committee for three years.

According to LCPA’s website, they “are dedicated to providing the best in professional education, networking opportunities and resources to help all members make sense of a changing and complex world.”

Those who have worked with Simpson feel he is deserving of the award. 

“I doubt anyone who knows Dr. Simpson is surprised by this award,” said Robert Braun, professor for the Department of Accounting and Finance. “He has worked tirelessly on behalf of students and faculty at Southeastern and the accounting profession. His professionalism, work ethic and inclusive leadership style have made him the first choice for anyone with a difficult task that needs to be done right. He has probably done enough work to warrant two lifetime achievement awards, but I guess this one will do for now.”

Simpson’s colleagues feel he is a pleasure to work with and is a phenomenal asset to the Department of Accounting and Finance.

“The LCPA’s recognition of Dr. Simpson as a recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award serves as a validation of what those of us who have worked with him at Southeastern have recognized for many years,” said Paul Carruth, professor of accounting. “Dr. Simpson is a consummate professional who has exemplified the highest standards of service, ethics, fairness and respect for all those with whom he has worked with over the years. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been a member of the accounting faculty these past thirteen years while Dr. Simpson has served as department head.”

For Simpson, the award is a token of his dedication to his profession.

“It represents a great honor from an organization that represents CPAs in Louisiana,” said Simpson.