MBA Blog

Meet UNO Lecturer Steve Nath: Accounting Professor, Golfer, and Would-Be Astronaut

Prof. Steve Nath is a Lecturer for UNO’s College of Business, where he earned his BS in Finance and Accounting in 1985, and later his MBA in 2003. He has over 25 years of experience in management and accounting.

We sat down with Prof. Nath and had an entertaining conversation hearing his story, lessons he has for students, and advice that can help professionals in their careers.

Where did you go to school?

UNO by golly! I got my undergraduate degree in 1985 and my MBA in 2003.

Why did you choose accounting as your major?

Honestly, I just had a knack for it. I am pretty mathematical, and I kind of lean towards those kinds of things. I took accounting in high school, and it just made sense to me. Then I took two semesters of it in college and was like, “Yeah, I think this is what I was meant to do.”

What is your past work experience?

For my first real job, I went to work in industry for a company called Ag Processing (AGP). I worked in various capacities there for 23 years with my last job as a controller. Then, I’ll be honest, I sort of burned out. In 2012, I was CFO for Soy Energy LLC. Even though I worked for different companies over the years, I always had my eye on teaching. It was just something I wanted to do.

Part of the reason I got my MBA was so that I would have the qualifications to be able to teach one day. I figured that this was the perfect time, and I got a job teaching in 2013 at a small place called Wright Career College. Later, a colleague saw a posting for an accounting position at UNO, and I got it in 2014 and have been here ever since. I just really love teaching, it’s what I think I was born to do. I liked accounting and was pretty good at it, but teaching is what I really love.

Are you feeling the burnout from when you worked in the field?

No, I love to teach, and I think I have a knack for it. I’m able to connect with younger people and really work hard to make accounting fun. I’m not so serious all the time in class, and I’m able to connect to younger people. Teaching in the MBA is a great experience, and the students engage at a different level.

In your opinion, what does accounting teach an MBA student?

I teach BSAD 8210, which is the core accounting class for the MBA program. Unlike financial accounting, my class is based around managerial accounting and is more focused on analysis, which will help managers down the line with decision making. From the managerial accounting side, it teaches an MBA student to understand the importance of contribution margin, and other concepts that lead the students into their finance classes. Accounting also gives them knowledge about budgeting and managing their personal finances.

What are the benefits of seeking an MBA?

I was 37 when I started my MBA, and I found that the classes made more sense to me after having some professional experience. I got an MBA instead of a Master’s in Accounting because I wanted a broader perspective and exposure to marketing, finance, operations, management, and all areas of business. It gives you the opportunity to look at the big picture.

What are your suggestions for students to be more successful in the program?

Immerse yourself in all your classes as best you can, even when it’s outside of your comfort zone. Those are the classes you can really get something out of. Dig deep. It’s easy to get arrogant in your own field of study, so try to not do that. Look at it from a fresh perspective.

What do you see is the greatest challenge for a student in the MBA Program?

Time management is probably the biggest deal. Most of the students have full time jobs, families, and are raising kids. Managing your time is important so that you don’t sacrifice family life. Those that are really good at time management and make sure that they have allotted time for classes are the ones that will succeed.

Anything a student should know in advance for your class?

Come with an open mind. It’s a case class. It’s designed to be for users of accounting information. It’s not debits and credits. It’s fun! Almost all of the accountants I’ve worked with are not super dull. We really do get a bad rap. This bad rap comes from the movies, because anyone that works with numbers gets tagged as introverted. That’s not the case. When I’m in the classroom, I want to make it fun, make it an enjoyable experience. We are going to have some fun, but I’m going to teach you accounting.

On a less serious note, what are your hobbies?

I am an avid golfer and I like to fish. I am a social person. Accountants get a bad rap as being non-social people. I try to attend a lot of UNO functions and try to stay involved with the MBA Program.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want?

I would fly. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. The idea of flying is the greatest sensation ever. It’s freedom, soaring through the air.

What closing advice would you give to students?

Make sure you love what you do. If you don’t, life will be a drag. We spend an awful lot of time in our waking hours working, so make sure you love what you do.