JTC 24: Bridging Continents

For Ryan Cummings, the journey from Corinth to London was a path illuminated by unexpected turns and pursuit of opportunity. Cummings graduates in August with a bachelor's degree from the Patterson School of Accountancy, but initially, a career in accountancy was not his goal.

He enrolled at the University of Mississippi as a public policy leadership major with plans of going on to law school, but he unexpectedly found himself drawn to the accounting program and decided to pair his PPL major with an accountancy degree.

He enrolled in an accounting class taught by Louise Burney, a pivotal moment that would alter the course of his academic and professional trajectory.

"I found that I was pretty good at accounting and really enjoyed it," Cummings said. "I really appreciated how the accounting program challenged me, and I liked all of my professors.

"My professors, as well as my inclination for accounting, inspired me to do an internship and pursue a career in accountancy."

When it came to choosing his specialization within accounting, he was drawn to taxation because of its connection with law, an area that continued to captivate his interest. Josh Simer, clinical assistant professor of accountancy, played a significant role in fostering Cummings' interest in tax.

Simer taught Cummings in his Personal Income Tax class and served as a reader for his PPL honor thesis on the feasibility and implications of repealing Mississippi's income tax.

"It was my pleasure to work with Ryan on his honors thesis," he said. "I am confident he has a bright future in the accounting profession."

Driven by the allure of both professional growth and personal exploration, Cummings accepted an internship with accounting and professional services firm Deloitte in London, which he completed earlier this semester.

"Personally, I wanted to experience a new place and meet new people," he said. "Although it was a big change and took me some time to adapt to being in a new place, I learned so much not only about tax but also about myself as I experienced personal growth."

Cummings attributes his interest in the Deloitte London internship to his intermediate accounting professor, J Shaw. Shaw encouraged him to apply, introduced him to an Ole Miss graduate who had completed the internship and offered ongoing support during the application process.

Reflecting on his internship experience, Cummings emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. He acknowledged a major learning curve at the beginning, learning new software and technical concepts.

"Working in accounting is about constantly being open to learning and then sharing that knowledge with others," he said. "I plan to take this mindset with me going forward, so that I will always be confident that I can learn and also help others."

His internship experience in London exposed him to the dynamic intersection of tax and law, leaving a mark on his career aspirations. As he gears up to begin the UM master's program in taxation, Cummings sets his sights on mastering the foundations of tax technical concepts for individuals, corporations and partnerships.

"My goal is to be fully prepared to step into a role as a tax analyst after graduation," he said.

Cummings said he is looking forward to his career in accounting and all that comes with it: meeting new people, solidifying his role within a company and being independent. After completing his master's degree, he plans to return to London for a full-time position with Deloitte.

Adapting to cultural and professional differences is a challenge Cummings feels ready to tackle.

"Ole Miss has prepared me for this," he said. "Through classes, I have learned the importance of professionalism and the significance of understanding and respecting other cultures.

"More significantly, Ole Miss has prepared me through its social aspect. The accounting program has built my confidence and professionalism by having us meet with firms at Meet the Firms and bringing special guests to campus.

"Through these social encounters, the program has given me the confidence and preparation I need to adapt to any professional setting, even on another continent."

As Cummings prepares to forge ahead on his professional journey, he remains committed to staying connected with the Ole Miss community, including his mentors and fellow alumni.

"I plan to stay connected with the Ole Miss community, especially those in the PPL and accounting programs," he said. "I have personally seen the importance of maintaining these relationships and the impact they can have.

"I would love to use my experience to help other students who want to follow a similar path, whether it be in law and accounting or exploring opportunities in a new country."

See more photos from Ryan Cummings' Journey to Commencement