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TRAILBLAZER


MONIKA TUREK


CPA


Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Monika Turek, CPA, JD, a tax senior


with HoganTaylor, LLP in Tulsa, understands the power of education in her own life and in others’. As a former educator at Oklahoma State University, Turek left an impact that reached beyond the university, earning her a Phillips 66 Exceptional Service Award. Dr. Angela Wheeler Spencer, CPA, the Lanny G. Chasteen Chair and Haskell Cudd Professor at OSU’s School of Accounting, said, “As a fulltime instructor at OSU, the breadth of courses Monika was tasked with teaching and the number of service commitments she was asked to assume is somewhat staggering. However, Monika executed these responsibilities with an energy and enthusiasm that I’m confident cannot be easily matched.” Spencer continued, “In particular, the level


of service and dedication she provided as Beta Alpha Psi advisor will be difficult—if not impossible—to surpass.” One of Turek’s duties included leading a


group of OSU accounting students through the PwC US xTAX (Extreme Tax) competitions, which are used to help build critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and communication skills of undergraduate accounting students while promoting the profession. “It was so amazing to get to work with


the group of five amazing OSU students in preparation for the competition, in the on- campus competition and then being invited to


the national competition,” Turek said. “We won the whole thing!” Turek’s 2013 team was one of five teams— out of 460—to ultimately be selected to compete at PwC’s xTax National Finals, making OSU the first university to win nationals in its first year of competition. “Since she has left academia, Monika


remains an active presence on the OSU campus, returning routinely to speak with various groups and interact with students,” Spencer said, adding that Turek was the first professional to respond to her request to speak for an undergraduate course. “Her response wasn’t just about reserving a date so HoganTaylor can recruit, but it also included ideas about how they construct their time in the class so students gain exposure to areas of accounting that other firms and groups may not address,” Spencer said. “I think her thoughtful response to that invitation is indicative of her continued dedication to the future of our profession. “With respect to OSU, without a doubt, her


interests always lie first and foremost with the students and how she can help them grow and learn.”


GETTING TO KNOW


MONIKA


What is your favorite thing that you own? I sure love my 10-year-old German Shepherd, Shipley.


What item is in your office that you feel best helps you ease stress at work? Does Starbucks count?


What food are you a gourmet chef at making? I make some pretty quality cupcakes.


If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose and why? I know I should say someone classy and inspirational…and maybe he is, to me… Bruce Willis. I have always loved his movies. Die Hard is my favorite Christmas movie (yes, it is a Christmas movie) and I even watched Moonlighting growing up. I think it would be loads of fun to have a sit down with him and just hear about his life.


March/April 2020 CPAFOCUS 29


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