Student Spotlight: Linus Akanoh Jr., ’06
 Linus Akanoh Jr. loves numbers — and the Accounting Information Technology major has turned that passion into a research award from the Texas Academy of Science and a 12-week internship at University Federal Credit Union.
Research Inspired by Real Life
Intrigued by corporate accounting scandals hitting across the country, Akanoh and classmate Chris Cahill, ’05, began researching ways technology could detect corporate fraud earlier and more effectively for their senior research project last fall. Using existing accounting detection algorithms, ratio analysis and historical trending techniques, they analyzed the financial statements of fraudulent publicly traded companies like Enron and WorldCom to look for signs of trouble.
The duo presented their “Financial Statements Investigations and Analysis” report at the annual Texas Academy of Science meeting last March — and became the first business students in the history of the academy to win an award when they placed third. In May, they also won first place at SOURCE, the university’s annual Symposium On Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression.
An Internship Makes the Difference
Also last spring, Akanoh began looking for an internship to complement his experiences as a researcher. He got a summer internship at University Federal Credit Union with help from Associate Professor of Accounting Mike Harris and spent 12 weeks learning about day-to-day functions and procedures, interviewing employees and other stakeholders, and analyzing reports and other statistical data. At the end of the internship, he made recommendations to his supervisors on how UFCU could improve its operational flow — and received the highest evaluation possible for his work.
Other Texas Schools No “Match” for Akanoh
In October, Akanoh used what he had learned through his research and internship to help St. Edward’s finish first at the 2005 Ethics Match hosted by the Texas Independent College Fund in Fort Worth. He and teammates Philip Jones, ’06, and Garett Sansom, ’06, participated in debates on business ethics issues and competed against teams from 17 other schools.
Now, Akanoh is finishing up his senior thesis project and preparing for graduation in May. Through the Accounting Information Technology major, he will graduate with a BBA in Accounting and BA in Computer Information Science, along with the ability to sit for the CPA exam. He hopes to take the exam next year and pursue a master’s degree in Accounting.
Learn more about how your student can secure an internship. Find out why your student may want to participate at SOURCE.
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