Kay Maresh, assistant professor of practice in accountancy, walked into a University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business classroom for the first time in summer 2012, unsure of what to expect. More than a decade later, after mentoring students, collaborating with colleagues and staying active in the accounting profession, she plans to retire in May.
A retirement reception will be held 4-6 p.m. May 8 in the Lied Center Commons.
While working full time in tax at Deloitte, Maresh worked closely with new hires, including graduates from the School of Accountancy. When a part-time lecturer was needed for a three-week summer course, Special Topics in Federal Taxation (ACCT 816) at Nebraska, she decided to test the waters of teaching.
“My driving force in teaching is the students. I genuinely like taxation and want to help students understand the concepts and connect the class material to their personal and professional lives,” Maresh said.
Maresh continued teaching the summer course. After retiring from Deloitte in 2016, she inquired about additional teaching opportunities, so Aaron Crabtree, who was then the director of the School of Accountancy, hired her to teach a spring course. Impressed by her performance, he offered her a full-time position at the end of the semester.
“While at Deloitte, Kay was a director of their tax practice, which meant she was very proficient technically and worked well with new hires. Our graduates always spoke highly of the feedback and direction she gave them. Knowing how well she was received in the classroom and her experience and expertise in the tax arena, it was a no-brainer to hire her full time,” Crabtree said.
Maresh credits a smooth transition to academia to a strong support network, including Marci Warner, former administrative coordinator in the School of Accountancy; Jill Trucke, associate professor of practice; and Sheila Hayes, department operations manager.
“Marci was invaluable when I first started teaching the summer course. When I started full time, I had a great deal of support from Aaron Crabtree, Jill Trucke, who was immensely helpful and is still my go-to when I have a question, and Marci. When Sheila was hired, she became a great resource as well,” Maresh said.
Quickly becoming part of the school’s tight-knit community, she especially cherished the fall family event that kicked off each academic year.
“The event provides a great way for current and new faculty and staff to get to know each other better. It’s also fun to see all the children play together,” Maresh said.
Maresh became coordinator of the School of Accounting Split-Semester Internship program in 2019. The program allows students to take two accelerated, five-week accounting courses and intern full time eight to 10 weeks in the spring semester.
“This spring, we have 50 students participating in the split-semester internship program, giving them the opportunity to experience the busiest season in tax and audit,” Maresh said. “The students gain valuable insight into what to expect after graduation while actively contributing to the firm’s work.”
She also served as the faculty adviser for the university’s annual tax competition team, mentoring five accounting students each year. Under her guidance, three teams won the regional Deloitte FanTAXtic competition and advanced to nationals.
In January 2024, the Nebraska team clinched the Deloitte FanTAXtic National Case Study Competition at Deloitte University in Westlake, Texas, defeating 15 teams from top institutions including Florida State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
"I was lucky enough to have Kay as my professor for two classes and as our advisor for the Deloitte FanTAXtics National Case Competition. Her kindness, intelligence and commitment to her students are what pushed our team to succeed," Trinity Hansen, a senior, said. "Kay's passion for teaching and mentorship has left a lasting impact on everyone she has worked with, and I wish her the best in retirement."
Beyond competition prep, Maresh made time to create memorable experiences for students in the cities where they competed. She organized outings to museums, local attractions and Broadway-style shows like "Hamilton."
“Occasionally I receive emails from students, thanking me for my support. Students may not realize how much those emails mean, but it makes me proud that I was able to help and encourage them,” Maresh said.
Her commitment to students earned widespread recognition. Over the years, Maresh received multiple student-nominated honors, including the College of Business Excellence in Teaching Award and the Master of Professional Accountancy School of Accounting Educator of the Year Award. In 2022, the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants named her Outstanding Accounting Educator.
“Student-nominated recognitions are important to me because they are one indicator that I’m making a difference in the classroom,” Maresh said. “It’s also rewarding to work with those who initially struggle in class and then continue to improve and succeed.”
As retirement nears, Maresh looks forward to more time with her grandchildren, Callum, 3, and Sienna, 1, and checking off destinations on her travel bucket list. Yet, she will miss the energy of campus and the relationships she built.
“Kay is a tremendous asset to the School of Accountancy, bringing expertise in law, tax and management practice. She provides meaningful mentorship that helped bridge students’ transition from coursework to career, and we will truly miss her in her retirement," said Jimmy Downes, current director of the School of Accounting.
