Laura Sieders promoted to Instructor of Accounting

Laura Sieders never planned on becoming a college instructor. The Calumet native moved to Washington D.C. shortly after graduating from Michigan Tech with her bachelor’s in business administration and a focus in accounting. Starting this fall, she’s a full-time faculty member at Finlandia University in the role of Instructor of Accounting.

“One of the great things about accounting is you can work in any sector you want to because every business needs someone counting their money and analyzing the data,” said Sieders.

Sieders worked her way up the ranks at various nonprofits including being the accountant for the Partnership for Public Service, director of accounting at the National Recreation and Parks Association, director of finance at the Reserve Officers Association of the United States and the controller at the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

She enjoyed working for nonprofits because “she wasn’t working for a bottom line, but for a reason.”

laura Sieders seeks new challenge, finds Finlandia

Despite having a fulfilling career and reaching the top, Sieders began looking for a new challenge.

“I thought teaching might be it,” said Sieders. “I feel like I’ve conquered all the challenges that I’ve wanted to out in the field and now it’s time to start bringing up the next generation behind me. I have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience and I want to start transferring that into the heads of the accountants coming up behind me.”

Sieders accepted an Adjunct Instructor for Intermediate Accounting position at Finlandia two years ago. This spring, she was promoted to Instructor of Accounting.

For Sieders, giving back and having meaning in her work is what drives her daily.

“It isn’t just about teaching,” said Sieders. “I’ve had the luxury of getting to know Finlandia, so it’s about teaching at Finlandia.”

Sieders can be reached at laura.sieders@Finlandia.edu. Learn more about Finlandia University’s accounting program.