When their FBI agent father was transferred from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C. in 1978, Beth Arnold, BS Business Administration ’80; Lynn Green, BS Accounting ’82; and Martha Bayer, BS Accounting ’85, reevaluated their plans of higher education based on their new home. “I didn’t know much about Mason other that it was an affordable Virginia school that used to be part of the University of Virginia,” says Beth Arnold. “Our mother encouraged attending Mason because it was known that a degree from there would help you get employed in a competitive job market.” In the following years, Beth’s sisters Lynn and Martha would also attend the School of Business at George Mason University, creating a strong Patriot bond between them.
“George Mason is such a great brand and people’s reactions are always positive when they learn that it’s my alma mater,” says Bayer. “I have enjoyed watching the School of Business continue to grow and seeing the impact of our fellow alumni.” Green, Arnold, and Bayer fondly remember taking classes at the old Fairfax High School back when Mason was primarily a commuter school. Through the decades, it has developed tremendously, still remaining an institution that is affordable and accessible, but also growing into a top-tier university for research and innovation.
Not only did all three choose the same university and the business school within, but they all became certified public accountants (CPAs) as well. “Before we enrolled, our father pointed out an article in TIME magazine highlighting the success of women in public accounting and acknowledging the shortage of women in the profession,” says Bayer. “These women were excelling faster than women in any other career field.” The ladies continued the movement, embarking on academic journeys that have led to rewarding careers as CPAs. “My degree in accounting and my CPA allowed me to secure positions in the real estate and technology fields, in both public and private companies, holding positions from accountant to vice president of finance and senior controller,” says Green.
For anyone considering a future in accounting, the sisters agree that they should follow the path of CPA. “As someone who is in the position of interviewing and hiring, I’m always amazed at how many accountants don’t have their CPA,” says Green. The sisters hope that the School of Business can continue to grow, especially through partnerships with the region’s industries.
Even though the choice of Mason was initially recommended by the sisters’ parents because of the quality education offered at an affordable price, all three of them immediately came to appreciate it once setting foot inside the classroom. “They wanted us to graduate with career opportunities, and we certainly did that,” says Arnold. Once one sister began classes, the enthusiasm for Mason was contagious and it became apparent that the school was a fit for all of them. “A constant that all of us experienced was the top-notch level of faculty,” says Bayer. Though they didn’t share any classes together, they each took classes with Mark Ingram, professor in accounting. “Professor Ingram nominated me for an award that I received from the National Women’s Accounting Association, in recognition of being a top student, and that gesture and recognition gave me so much confidence,” says Arnold.
While many Mason students are local residents and stay in the region post-graduation, the three sisters buck the trend. After attending Mason following the cross-country move, they once again find themselves away from the east coast – Bayer in the Los Angeles area, Arnold in central California, and Green in Austin, Texas. The accolades have piled up for the ladies along their respective paths in the finance world. But they share an origin, not only their family roots, but of the School of Business family, where their expectations were exceeded and they received the education that would fuel their careers.