A Leader to Count On: Dr. Christopher Proschko

by Valerie Figueroa

D r. Christopher Proschko is counting on academia to strengthen the pipeline of students pursuing careers in accounting. As an associate professor of practice in accounting at Texas State University's McCoy College of Business, he is dedicated to building the future workforce through his role at the college.

Proschko, a second-generation Bobcat and the son of two accountants, followed in his parents’ footsteps, pursuing an education in accounting from high school through college at Texas State, where he received a BBA in accounting. He then went on to graduate school, where he completed the master of accountancy program. Following graduate school, he pursued a law degree at Baylor in anticipation of "serving the community by engaging in tax preparation, tax representation, and business planning."

Today, fewer students nationwide are pursuing careers in accounting for various reasons, including the cost of education and technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, according to Accounting Today. The decline in the accounting pipeline calls for professors like Proschko who hope to attract more students by engaging them in the classroom in a way that is interesting to them and breaks down the complexity of the industry. Particularly when he knows students aren't always excited about being in the classroom — even if they are accounting students.

"We try to highlight things in the classroom that will help them get excited about their career choices primarily by bringing in outside individuals from the industry and the private practice of accounting," Proschko says. "The speakers tell them their stories, and I also share my own experiences. We try to dispel some of the stereotypical accounting myths and show them how rewarding the profession can be."

Proschko also sits on McCoy College's Assurance of Learning Committee, which includes representatives from all departments in the college and measures student learning in the BBA program. He explained that the committee plays a fundamental role in ensuring students learn and understand relevant topics. Throughout the semester — or sometimes at the end of the year — faculty assess how well students understand core topics. The results are shared with the university, but more importantly, the data helps faculty work on ways to strengthen students' understanding of the topics they're learning about.

One of Proschko's most significant contributions to the university is his position as a faculty sponsor of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic, a student-led program comprised of students from income tax classes in the accounting department. The program offers free tax help to people who generally make less than $57,000, persons with disabilities, and those with limited income. It allows students to have a guided, real-world experience while also serving the community.

"We did over 150 returns this year and generated over $132,000 worth of tax refunds for the community," he says. "We have anywhere between 10 to 30 volunteers every year, and those students are not just hearing about what's going on in the classroom, they're getting to go into the real world and do this work while saving the clients of the clinic thousands of dollars in tax prep fees."

Proschko also serves as the faculty advisor for Accounting Stars, a program that recognizes standout students in the college's introductory accounting course — a class all business majors must take. It's another initiative he's working on to garner interest in the field and guide more students toward accounting careers.

"We try to point out [students] that show an aptitude in accounting, which will help with the pipeline problem,” Proschko says. “We'll hopefully give them another career path they may never have [considered]."

During his time at McCoy College, Proschko has received multiple awards, including the 2024 Award for Excellence in Teaching and Outstanding Graduate Faculty, which were nominations voted on by faculty and based on student feedback.

"To see that my peers at the university appreciate what I'm doing here, letting me know that I'm on the right path, it means the world to me."

Beyond his work at the college, Proschko is also active in his community, volunteering with the New Braunfels Little League. He emphasizes how important community service is in helping shape the next generation of students.

"These kids are the future," he says. "If we can start to get some structure and teamwork in their lives at that age, I think it's going to benefit them as they grow on, and it'll benefit us all as a whole."

Looking ahead, Proschko is committed to expanding the VITA program due to its economic value to the community and its opportunity for professional development for the students. He also remains focused on building the accounting student pipeline.

"[My goal is] really to get that pipeline going for the accounting profession, [it is a] noble and historic profession that has a vital role to play in our world," he says. "But as we see this decline right now in accounting, my goal is to continue teaching here at Texas State and providing some inspiration and guidance to keep the accounting profession going." ✯