F&M Stories

Associate Professor of Accounting Cynthia Krom told her students she didn’t expect them to remember the details of how to do accounting, but she did expect them to know they would have choices to make — and these choices could impact their companies, their customers. They could always go back and look up the accounting principles.

Professor Krom’s educational trajectory began with a degree in environmental science from F&M. She moved on to earn an MBA in accountancy from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a CPA, and tenure at Marist College. After earning a doctorate in organizational behavior, she returned to Lancaster, her hometown, and F&M.

With her background in organizational behavior, she actively engaged students to learn accounting through disciplines such as creative writing, computer simulations, and dance. She used Tinkertoys to convey insight about manufacturing and production processes.

She enjoyed small group readings. In one such reading on self-motivation, success, and careers, the group met on Sundays because that was the only time all were available. Students still reach out to her about these topics. In her senior seminar, “Fraud Examination & Financial Crime,” speaking at one class session was a convicted criminal, a representative of a local company that was a victim of theft, and the judge who decided the case. Students often described Professor Krom as a “supportive,” “understanding,” “helpful,” and “knowledgeable” instructor who wanted to help her students best learn the course material.

Professor Krom served as chair of the Department of Business, Organizations & Society (BOS) through COVID, steering the department through the college’s quick pivot from fully in-person to fully remote learning. She served on Faculty Council, and helped develop BOS’ four articulation agreements for master’s degrees in accountancy programs.

She strives to ensure her scholarship impacts the business world. In one article, she identified how and why licensed professionals in different states lost their licenses; lawyers lost their licenses for not paying child support and DUIs, and not for legal issues. Her research led states to question if they were effectively employing punishments.

Combining her passions for hiking, travel, and research, in retirement, Professor Krom plans to study, speak, and write about pilgrimages and the economic impact to these destinations, and to spend more time with her toddler granddaughter.

Cynthia L. Krom, Associate Professor of Accounting