Dr. Qianhua “Q” Ling, associate professor of accounting in the College of Business, is one of the department’s longest-serving members. She came to Marquette after completing her Ph.D. She is from Oklahoma State University.
Previously, Mr. Lin worked for Occidental Eastern Corp., a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, in Beijing. She also worked in the Beijing office of Ericsson Communication Systems, a Swedish multinational telecommunications company.
Her research has been published in prestigious journals such as: Accounting review and Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance. Additionally, Dr. Ling's research on inventory costing has informed Financial Accounting Standards Board best practices.
she sat with today's market We talked about the cultural differences between America and China and advice for accounting students.
What is your proudest accomplishment as a professor?
As a professor, the growth of my students is my proudest accomplishment. We strive to create a comfortable learning environment. We work hard together. We enlighten each other. You can see the students' eyes shining brightly.
It is very encouraging to hear from my students that they have learned a lot about accounting and life thanks to my classes and advice. The students grow not only as professionals, but also as people in front of them. Watching them grow and excel is extremely rewarding. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to positively impact their lives.
Let me tell you a little bit about Chinese business culture. How is it different from America?
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is how they close deals. Alcohol consumption is very high in China. People trying to get a contract need to socialize over drinks with contacts from other companies. This custom is driven by the perception in Chinese business circles that if you can have a drink with someone, you can trust them.
Do you think the academic environment in America is different from that in China?
Yes, completely different. Student-professor relationships are probably the biggest thing I had to get used to when I first studied abroad in the United States. The professors here are much friendlier than they were in China when I was a student.
I remember when I was in college, professors would come and give lectures, but we rarely saw each other after class. Here, professors have office hours. You can also contact us via email and get a response.
When it comes to grading, in China there are only one or two exams that determine grades. This requires continuous output such as graded homework, quizzes, and reports. Instead of one exam being the be all and end all, you have more opportunities to prove your knowledge of the subject.
List the personality traits and behaviors that all successful accounting students have in common.
All successful accounting students are curious, take initiative, and have a strong work ethic. If you have these qualities, you have a strong commitment to learning, which will pave the way for great accomplishments.
If you had 30 seconds to convince a hesitant business student to study accounting, what would you say?
It provides a wealth of opportunities in the future, no matter what career you end up pursuing. Many alumni can attest to this. Accounting is the language of business. Studying accounting gives you a new perspective on all aspects of business, and this perspective is invaluable.
What is your best non-academic advice for students?
I think it is very important to take time to look within yourself and reflect on your university life. Everyone needs to invest energy in understanding themselves better. Having a clear understanding of who you are and what you value will help you advance in your career and become the person you want to be.
