Posted: Monday, September 28, 2009 12:05 pm

The Messenger 09.28.09
The University of Tennessee at Martin has named a certified public accountant and internal auditor as the Alexander Thompson Arnold (ATA) Assistant Professor of Accounting, Information Systems and Internal Controls.
Mary F. Geddie, who has held positions in accounting and auditing, began teaching courses in the spring of 2009 and will enter her first full academic year at the university this fall.
“We’re pleased to have someone with Mary’s background and qualifications join our faculty,” said Dr. Tom Payne, chair of the department of accounting, finance, economics and political science. “We greatly appreciate Alexander Thompson Arnold for supporting this professorship. This is just one example of ATA’s commitment to the future of our region and the accounting profession.”
Ms. Geddie’s previous positions include serving as an auditor with KPMG, as a budget officer with an Oklahoma state agency and as an internal auditor with the University of Illinois. She has authored several academic journal articles and her professional credentials include a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Baylor University and a master of business administration degree from Eastern Illinois University. She is currently completing her Ph.D. from the University of Houston.
“Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs is dedicated to excellence in accounting,” said Art Sparks Jr., member/partner with ATA. “With this professorship, we are supporting a vital West Tennessee university and ensuring its students are receiving the highest quality education. ATA is extremely pleased to make this professorship possible.”
“There are so many highly-qualified faculty members here working to produce ethical, financially literate graduates,” said Ms. Geddie, who will teach financial accounting, auditing and accounting information systems at UT Martin. “Our students are being prepared to make a positive impact on the region’s economy. I hope to give students a picture of a well-controlled accounting function so that they can build their own businesses or assist their clients in doing so.”
Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs is one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the Mid-South and was named the ninth largest accounting firm in the State of Tennessee by Business TN magazine in March 2007. It was also named in the top 25 of Tennessee’s Best Employers in 2009.
Founded in 1946, ATA offers a comprehensive array of tax, audit, accounting, consulting and wealth management services and is a member of the BDO Seidman Alliance. Firm offices are located in Dyersburg, Fulton, Henderson, Jackson, Martin, McKenzie, Milan, Paris, Trenton and Union City.