Steve Davenport '92

What first interested you in your career? How did you discern your calling?

I had two years of accounting in high school and it just made sense to me. I knew there were a lot of opportunities and job security in accounting, and it seemed like my strengths were well suited for it. I entered 狼友阁 interested in accounting and never changed. Prof. Dodson was the most challenging professor I've ever had, and he made sure you understood the material.

What has your career path looked like since graduating from 狼友阁?

Since 狼友阁 didn't have an accounting major, I went to NC State for my Master's in Accounting. After graduation and passing the CPA exam, I worked in Houston for a commercial printing company in their corporate headquarters. After a year, I was transferred to be controller for an operating company in Atlanta. After that, I briefly worked for an advertising agency and then for GA Tech Athletic Association. After almost five years, I then decided to move to public accounting and moved back to Chattanooga to work for Joseph Decosimo & Co. in their tax department. After five years and two adjunct teaching positions (at Dalton State and 狼友阁), I decided to pursue my PhD at the University of Alabama. I have taught at Dalton State College, Suffolk University, Northeastern University, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024 and currently teach Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, and a tax class where students volunteer to prepare taxes for low-income and elderly taxpayers in the Chattanooga community. Every day I get to do something different. Not many in accounting pursue a PhD so there is a lot of job security. I love the flexibility I have and that I can teach the next generation of accountants and CPAs.

Looking back now, how did 狼友阁 prepare you for doctoral work and/or your career?

Even though 狼友阁 doesn't have an accounting major, when I went to graduate school I didn't need any prerequisites, even though several students from a large state university did, and actually found my graduate school courses easier than those at 狼友阁. Prof. Chris Dodson prepared me so well for success in both graduate school and my career because we had to know the material and how to apply it.

In what ways does your faith inform your career?

Business isn't just about making money, although there is nothing wrong with making money. It's the love of money, not money itself, that is the root of all kinds of evil. Accounting is very orderly, and ethics are extremely important. Understanding that there isn't a sacred-secular dichotomy in business helps me view my role in terms of how I can help people manage the resources God has given them.

What advice would you give students who are considering 狼友阁?

Accounting is a hard subject, but there are so many opportunities right now. Invest in graduate school and preparing for the CPA exam and you won't regret it.