From Global Finance to Academic Leadership: Featured Faculty Member, Scott Burns

V. Scott Burns, CPA, has built a distinguished career spanning public accounting, international fund services and higher education. His journey from Big Four accounting to the classroom demonstrates a commitment to both professional excellence and developing the next generation of accountants.

Burns began his career at KPMG in Atlanta, where he specialized in tax preparation for investment funds after earning his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of West Georgia and a Master of Taxation from Georgia State University. This foundation in public accounting prepared him for increasingly senior roles in the financial services industry.

His career trajectory led him to Bermuda, where he spent over 15 years in private equity fund accounting. At JP Morgan, Burns served as executive director and head of Bermuda Fund Accounting, managing all operational aspects of the fund accounting service. He led client service teams, oversaw profit and loss and served on the Board of Directors. Among his notable achievements was creating and leading a U.S. tax compliance team and implementing tax software that generated $250,000 in annual revenue.

In 2012, Burns joined Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd. as senior vice president, developing and leading its private equity fund accounting group. His responsibilities encompassed technical guidance, staff development, business strategy and client relationships. His leadership earned him appointment to the company's Risk Committee in 2016.

After two decades in financial services, Burns returned to his early passion of teaching. He joined Kennesaw State University in 2021 before moving to Georgia College & State University in 2022, where he currently serves as an accounting instructor. He teaches courses in financial accounting principles and federal taxation at both individual and business entity levels.

Beyond the classroom, Burns demonstrates his commitment to community service by creating and managing Georgia College's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This initiative provides students with hands-on experience while offering free tax preparation services to low-income taxpayers, a perfect synthesis of Burns' expertise in taxation and dedication to education.