KU School of Business student’s selection for GASB postgraduate program marks third among Jayhawks

One of the nation’s accounting standards-setting organizations has selected University of Kansas School of Business student Hannah Hageman as one of its summer 2024 postgraduate technical assistants.

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) establishes accounting and financial reporting standards for U.S. state and local governments. Twice a year it holds a Postgraduate Technical Assistant (PTA) Program, selecting only four students nationwide for its summer cohort and three for its winter term.

Hageman will begin her yearlong GASB assistantship in July. She is the third KU Master of Accounting student to be selected for an assistantship with either the GASB or the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Last year, graduate Carson Morrow was the first KU student chosen for the GASB program, and in 2022, graduate Luke Kennedy was the first KU student chosen for the FASB program.

To be considered for an assistantship, students must be nominated by an accounting faculty member and have an outstanding academic record. Candidates also must demonstrate excellent communication skills and have completed coursework that exemplifies a comprehensive understanding of accounting theory and practice.

“We are extremely proud of Hannah and know that she will represent KU well,” said Alee Phillips, director of KU’s Master of Accounting program. “Having Jayhawk accounting majors be selected for these prestigious PTA programs three years in a row speaks to the quality of our students and of our program.”

In her assistantship, Hageman will work on major agenda projects or short-term practice and implementation issues, depending on needs. Postgraduate technical assistants are highly involved with all phases of their assigned projects and also have opportunities to attend relevant board and task force meetings.

Hageman is from McPherson, Kansas, and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in business analytics in December 2022. She will graduate with her Master of Accounting in May. Hageman previously worked for a government accounting firm intermittently over three years and is eager to develop her skills and interest in accounting, particularly in the government sector.

“I'm thrilled to be immersed in the government accounting standards-setting process alongside some of the most brilliant individuals in the field,” she said. “The honor of being selected for this program is a testament to the invaluable support and guidance I've received from the KU accounting faculty and fellow students, including two prior postgraduate technical assistants.”