UIS Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance

10/20/2026

📚 TOPIC TUESDAY: DEBITS VS. CREDITS EXPLAINED! ⚖️

If you've ever taken an accounting class, you've probably heard the words debit and credit more times than you can count! But what do they actually mean?

Here's something that often surprises students: A debit doesn't always mean money coming in, and a credit doesn't always mean money going out! 🤯

In accounting, debits and credits are simply the two sides of a transaction. Whether they increase or decrease an account depends on the account type involved.

☕ Think of it this way: Imagine you run a coffee shop on campus and sell a cup of coffee for $5 cash.

✅ Debit Cash $5 — Your cash increases.

✅ Credit Revenue $5 — Your business records $5 in sales.

Both sides are recorded, keeping your books balanced!

💡 The golden rule: Total Debits = Total Credits.

We've created this simple cheat sheet to help you remember how debits and credits affect different accounts.

📌 Save it, share it with a classmate, and keep it handy for your next accounting assignment or exam!

10/13/2026

📉 TUESDAY TOPIC: WHAT CAUSES A RECESSION?
Imagine a country where people suddenly cannot afford to buy the simple things they used to. Shops make less money because people aren't buying, factories produce fewer goods because stock is still on shelves, and some workers lose their jobs.
When this happens across the country for several months, the economy may have entered into a recession.
💡 But what causes this to happen?
💰 1. High Prices: When food, fuel, and other necessities become too expensive, families have less money to spend on other things.
🏦 2. Expensive Loans: When banks charge higher interest on loans, people borrow less to buy homes, cars, or grow businesses.
🏭 3. Businesses Struggle: When companies sell fewer products, they may reduce production, cut workers' hours, or lay people off.
🌍 4. Unexpected Problems: Events like wars, pandemics, or banking crises can disrupt businesses and slow the economy.
🔄 The domino effect is:
People spend less ➡️ Businesses earn less ➡️ Jobs are lost ➡️ People spend even less.
📌 The big lesson: A recession happens when economic activity falls across many parts of a country for a sustained period. It can begin for different reasons, but the effects often spread from one business to another.

10/13/2026

Are you looking to go into tax accounting? Federated Fiducial is looking for interns to help out in their tax department for this next 2027 tax season here in Springfield. Interns will get hands on experience with individual tax returns, working directly with the tax department as well as other interns and seasonal tax preparers. If you are interested, please contact Kelsey Barker at [email protected] or check out the link below.

10/12/2026

If you are looking for an internship or job opportunity, Express Employment professionals are a leading staffing provider helping job seekers find work with a wide variety of local businesses. They help place qualified candidates in a variety of jobs, with full-time, part-time, and temporary positions available. Check out their website below.

If you are interested in connecting with Express Employment, please reach out to their Accounting and Finance recruiter, Jordan Stott, at [email protected].

Express Employment Professionals in your community works with job seekers to help them find the right job for their skills and experience. We have a variety of jobs available, including full-time, part-time, and temporary positions. And, as one of the leading staffing agencies in the U.S., Express p...

10/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Meet the Firm event last week! We had an amazing time hosting this event which was a great chance for students to connect with professionals from Eck Schafer & Punke and learn more about opportunities, the industry, and their experiences.

A special thank you to the ESP team for taking the time to meet with our students, share their insights, and answer questions. We appreciate you being part of our community.

We're also looking forward to hosting more of these functions, so be on the lookout for our next Meet the Firm event 😊

10/06/2026

Topic Tuesday! What Is Cryptocurrency?

From Bitcoin to thousands of other digital currencies, cryptocurrency has become a major topic in finance. But what exactly is it? Cryptocurrency is a type of digital asset that uses blockchain technology to record and verify transactions without relying on a traditional bank or central authority.

Let's apply it to the real-world: Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency. Instead of being issued by a government like U.S. dollars, Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a decentralized network of computers. Cryptocurrency can be used for payments, investments, and other financial applications, but its value can also change significantly, making it a higher-risk investment.

As technology continues to shape the financial world, understanding cryptocurrency can help us better understand the future of money, investing, and financial technology 📈💰

09/29/2026

📚 Topic Tuesday! This week we have an accounting concept for you:
CPA vs. CMA, What’s the Difference?

If you've thought about an accounting career, you may have heard of the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certifications. While both can help advance an accounting career, they focus on different areas. The CPA is centered around areas like auditing, taxation, and financial reporting, while the CMA focuses more on management accounting, financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic decision-making within companies.

So, which one is right for you? It depends on the type of accounting career you’re interested in! Whether you see yourself working with external clients and financial reporting or helping businesses make internal financial decisions, understanding the difference can help you plan your career path 📊

09/29/2026

Last chance to RSVP for our Meet the Firm event TONIGHT from 5-7 PM in the LRH Great Room. There will be pizza, cookies, and drinks, so don't miss out on this opportunity!

09/26/2026

Our Meet the Firm event is in 4 days! RSVP with either the QR code or link on the flyer below!

09/22/2026

Reminder! Our Meet the Firm event is next week🎉

Join us on September 29th for a chance to connect with accounting professionals from Eck, Schafer & Punke LLP (ESP). Come meet representatives in the industry, ask questions, learn more about career opportunities, and get a better idea of what working in accounting can look like after graduation. Whether you’re actively looking for an internship or just starting to explore options, this is a great opportunity to make connections and learn from professionals in the field!

📅 September 29th | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 LRH Great Room

Check out the flyer below for additional details. We hope to see you there! 👋