Inasmuch as about one-third of the employees at Kaufman, Rossin & Co.—one of Florida’s largest independent accounting firms—graduated from Florida International University (FIU), it’s no surprise that a gathering sponsored by the FIU Alumni Association would draw an enthusiastic group at the firm. And inasmuch as most of the firm’s FIU alumni are graduates of the College of Business Administration—predominately with degrees in accounting or finance—it was appropriate that Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the business school, and Sharon Lassar, director of the School of Accounting, would provide updates to the group.

“An event like this makes people feel proud and reminds us of the substance of our alma mater,” said Steven Berwick (BACC ’74), CPA, a Kaufman, Rossin & Co. principal and a member of the School of Accounting Advisory Board and the President’s Council, who welcomed the attendees. “It reminded us that we have friends in the business school and that we have resources there.”

Relationship grows between firm and the college.

According to Berwick, “We are a future annuity for the School of Accounting,” citing the example of a donation to the Building for Business Campaign. Alumni at the firm made contributions that, with matches, resulted in the Kaufman, Rossin & Co. Study Room in the new business complex.

“The success of such projects, along with foundations and endowments, depends on alumni,” Berwick said. “An event like this helps the alumni association get things going within the organizations for mutual benefit.”

Though all alumni associations seek to stay connected with graduates, engaging FIU alumni makes particular sense because so many individuals remain in South Florida after graduation, including many of the 31,000 graduates of the business school.