Wayne Pinnell Receives CSUF’s Inaugural Outstanding Teacher Award

IRVINE, Calif. - April 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Wayne Pinnell, Managing Partner of Irvine-based Haskell & White LLP, was presented with one of California State University, Fullerton – Irvine Campus’ Outstanding Teacher Awards at the inaugural Faculty Recognition Event on March 27, 2014.

The event, held at CSUF’s Irvine campus, honored nearly a dozen faculty members. Each award recipient was selected by the dean of the CSUF Irvine Campus, from nominations provided by department chairs and college deans. The award encompasses all aspects of Pinnell’s instructional methodology and style. His dedication and how responsive students are to him were important criteria as well.

“Teaching is a tremendous privilege, and I take great pride in having this responsibility,” Pinnell said at the reception. “Every day that I teach, I not only get to educate young minds about something important, but I too learn something new with each class – something new about accounting that strikes me differently from a fresh perspective.”

Pinnell has taught auditing to college seniors at CSUF on a part-time basis for more than 11 years. He started teaching to give back to the community and share his expertise. The teaching position also provided him the opportunity to recruit the best and brightest local talent for Haskell & White – something he does only occasionally and always outside of the classroom.

“Wayne has an outstanding reputation with students and brings his constructive professional experience into the classroom,” said Department Chair of Accounting, Dr. Betty Chavis. “He enjoys giving back to the industry and having an impact on future accountants.”

On campus, Pinnell is known for his generous open door policy and for his practice of keeping the curriculum current. Pinnell makes sure to move his lesson plans through the present and even into the future. He sees each semester as a new experience to bring real life, current event examples into the classroom.

“With the rules changing throughout the accounting and auditing worlds, it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends and discussions that are taking place within the industry and regulatory bodies,” Pinnell said. “Many of the students I teach will go on to do meaningful work either as auditors or in other financial service positions, and one day they’ll be the ones who set the course of the financial world. I can help prepare them by using the latest current events and opening their minds to where we might be going in the future.”

The best advice Pinnell gives his students is to be as curious as possible and always seek additional information. He also stresses the importance of communications skills, particularly in a business environment. Pinnell stresses that writing – whether an Initial Public Offering document, an audit report for a client or even an email among staff – is an incredibly underrated ability in the accounting field, and it needs to be made a priority throughout all levels of education.

Pinnell also serves on the university’s Accounting Advisory Board and became chair in 2012. He is a member of the Board of Directors for both the Executive Council and the Center for Corporate Reporting & Governance. In 2004, Pinnell was chosen as the Department of Accounting’s Outstanding Alumni/Friend, an honor awarded to a person who contributes and engages in making the accounting program successful.

About Haskell & White LLP

Haskell & White LLP is one of the largest independently owned accounting, auditing and tax consulting firms in Southern California, servicing public and private middle-market companies. With locations in Irvine and San Diego, Haskell & White combines the expansive services, knowledge, experience and reach of national and international accounting firms with the personal attention, responsiveness and value of a local organization. Haskell & White works with companies in a broad range of industries including real estate, manufacturing, distribution, life science, technology, and retail. The firm provides solid expertise and services to its clients in the tax and audit disciplines, including advising SEC registrants and consulting on mergers and acquisitions. Further information on Haskell & White can be found on the firm’s website, www.hwcpa.com. Connect with Haskell & White at www.facebook.com/haskellandwhite and www.twitter.com/haskellandwhite.