Accounting Spotlight: Robert Jeffrey

By: Dezaray Barr

Robert Jeffrey retired from the Marines in Feb 2001.

Robert Jeffrey received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Portland State University in Oregon. He then received his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University’s (IWU) graduate program in business, and he graduated in 2006.

Jeffrey was led to IWU because he was seeking a degree from a Christian university. It seemed to be tradition in his family to attend a Wesleyan university. “I was accepted for the Graduate Degree program by my Employer, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Department of Defense. I knew that future promotions or opportunities would be slowing down unless I showed the dedication to further education and willing to accept greater responsibility,” he said.

When accepted into the graduate program, Jeffrey was working in Cleveland, Ohio in accounting operations. “I wanted something that allowed me to be mobile,” Jeffrey explained. “Being an online student at IWU simply was not easy since I was working full time as well. The online program did allow me to participate with group classmates as my time allowed.”

Before finishing the program, Jeffrey relocated to Pensacola, Florida as a Lead Systems Accountant for the Defense Information Financial Information System.

During his time at IWU, Jeffrey enjoyed discussing issues on spirituality. “Some of the course work required study where our text books included authors like C.S. Lewis and John C. Maxwell,” he said. “I

believe that if people use leadership practices doing the right thing by their employees, they can’t go wrong and that respect/appreciation will go a long way.”

 

In 2007, Jeffrey was offered a position by his employer as the Director of Navy Accounting Division in Japan. “When I left under orders after staying five years, the Department of Defense gave me orders for the MacDill AFB as the Navy Marine Corps Staff Accountant. The employees that worked under my supervision in Japan were sad to see me go, as was I,” Jeffrey shared.

Now, Jeffrey is retired, but he continues to stay in contact with colleagues and is up-to-date in the specific field. “I enjoy retirement and spending time visiting with my children, grandchildren and other family members,” Jeffrey shared. “Traveling is often on my annual schedule, and I am thinking of living abroad part-time. I would love to have a job that will allow me to write about new adventures in my travels for a travel magazine or something… maybe to teach English and Business abroad.”

 

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication, Journalism and Honors Humanities triple major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.