Kim Westermann

I am a proud Cal Poly alumna, having earned my bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in speech communication in 2000. After graduation, I began my career as an auditor with Ernst & Young (EY) in San Jose. In 2002, a quarter-life crisis inspired me to move to New York City, where I worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as both an auditor and an instructor.

In 2006, I traded the professional world for academia and began my Ph.D. at Bentley University. Along the way, I spent six months in Sydney, Australia, as a visiting scholar. After completing my doctorate in 2011, I joined Florida International University in Miami as an assistant professor of accounting.

In 2014, I returned to Cal Poly, bringing my career full circle. Today, I am a professor of accounting, specializing in auditing, and serve as the faculty advisor for the Cal Poly Accounting Club. I am passionate about helping students develop the skills, confidence and professional judgment needed to succeed beyond the classroom.

Education

• Ph.D. Accountancy, Bentley University, 2011
• B.S. Accountancy, Cal Poly State University, 2000