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FORVIS AIS Lab is Opened for Accounting Students in Griffin College of Business

10/30/2023

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FORVIS and A-State representatives who gathered for the opening of the FORVIS AIS Lab included (from left) Beth Jones, Susan Davenport, Griffin Dean Jim Washam, Keia Allen, Cindy Boyle, Rob Gordon, Chancellor Todd Shields, and Ernie Skyrme.

JONESBORO – Accounting students in the Neil Griffin College of Business have a new educational resource for supplementing their educational experience at Arkansas State University.

The FORVIS AIS Lab, which was named by resolution of the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees, is located on the second floor of the Griffin College of Business building.

“We would like to thank our friends at FORVIS for their partnership and for making this lab available to our students,” said Chancellor Todd Shields during the lab opening event.

Several alumni from A-State’s accounting program are employed by FORVIS in its Little Rock office and other locations. Cindy Boyle is a company partner and a 1986 accounting alumna.

“We at FORVIS applaud the faculty and administration of A-State for focusing on teaching the skills needed for their students to obtain great jobs and establish pathways to rewarding careers," Boyle said. "FORVIS is so excited to be able to play a part in making the opportunity to learn valuable and marketable IT skills available to the business students at A-State with the opening of the FORVIS AIS Lab.”

FORVIS A-State alumni and managing partner Susan Davenport committed more than $125,000 to student success by providing the tools needed for this lab.

The FORVIS company’s vision is to be known for creating engaging opportunities, delivering innovative solutions, and building unrivaled relationships.

“The FORVIS AIS Lab will provide a comfortable and productive workspace for accounting students, prior to graduation, to complete a plethora of enhanced skills that are deemed necessary by industry professionals,” Shields also said. More details are in a video.

The new facility creates remote-learning space and capabilities that will help create more inclusive learning opportunities for students. AIS stands for accounting information systems.

With offices located across the U.S., FORVIS is one of the nation’s leading assurance, tax and consulting firms. It is ranked eighth on The IPA (Inside Public Accounting) Top 500 Firms.