Jeff Spear, CPA
Professor of Accounting

BS, Houghton College, 1979; MS, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1984; CPA, 1987.

Experience: Professor Spear has been employed at Houghton College since 1997 when he was appointed Vice President for Finance and Treasurer. In the fall of 2006, Spear returned to the classroom, teaching Accounting and Investment courses, along with PACE instruction in financial management. As Vice President for Finance, he was pivotal in funding the Center for the Arts, athletic field upgrades, and renovation of the library, as well as the construction of the College flats and various townhouses. Professor Spear also introduced key changes to the award-winning student laptop program during his tenure as Vice President.

Professor Spear began his career in 1980 as a station manager for Avis Rent-a-Car Systems. Upon completion of his Masters degree, he joined the firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co. (now KPMG) as an audit and tax professional (1983-1986.) He was then named Controller of Thomas James Associates Inc. (1986-1991,) followed by appointment as CFO and VP of Finance for Sayett Group Inc.. Eventually he became co- principal and CEO of Sayett Acquisition Corp. until selling his interest in 1997 and returning to his alma mater.

While at Houghton, Professor Spear also served as CEO of the Willard J. Houghton Foundation, an organization that owns and operates many commercial facilities located in the Houghton area. His efforts were central in wooing seven new businesses to locate operations within the community of Houghton.
 

As far as other professional activities, professor Spear is a past board member of the Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC) and was the 2004-2005 chair of the CCCU Commission on CFOs. He has also served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency since 2000 and was Chair of the Caneadea District Board of Fire Commissioners for four years.

Along with his current teaching load, Spear serves as Principal of CFO Concepts, an SEC reporting consulting firm.

Professor Spear lives in Houghton with his wife Janine (Off-Campus Program Assistant and Secretary for Intercultural Studies) and has three children, Jessica ('05), Scott ('08), and Rachel.