James Leisenring, MBA'64

Distinguished Alumni Award

James Leisenring has spent his professional life literally “setting the standard.” He began doing so as partner and director of accounting and auditing for Bristol, Leisenring, Herker & Co., in his hometown of Battle Creek, Mich; the firm is now a part of Plante & Moran. During his tenure at Bristol, Leisenring, Herker & Co., he was active in the American Institute of CPAs and served as the chair of its Auditing Standards Board as well as a member of many other institute committees. He became known for not only his knowledge of the field, but also for his sound judgment and business acumen. 

In 1982 he joined the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), a private, not-for-profit organization that develops generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that are in the best interest of the public. His first post was as director of research and technical activities, and he later became chair of the Emerging Issues Task Force when it was developed in 1984. In 1987 he became a member of the FASB Board and was appointed vice chair in 1988. He also served as chair of the FASB Derivatives Implementation Group and the FASB Financial Instruments Task Force.

Leisenring was appointed to the International Accounting Standards Board to be its liaison member to the FASB in 2001. At that time, he was serving as the director of international activities at FASB.

Recognition of Leisenring's contributions to the field of accounting has come in numerous forms. He has been named a Distinguished Alumni Award winner at both Albion College and Western Michigan University. In addition, he has been inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame. He serves frequently as an expert in the area of accounting standards for conferences and for the media.

Leisenring credits his experience in the MBA program with solidifying accounting as his chosen field, fondly remembering professors Bob Neubig and Bill Welke and spirited debates.  He also recalls that he really learned accounting best by teaching it as a graduate assistant and later as an instructor at Kellogg Community College and WMU.

“A keen intellectual, eloquent, principled, enthusiastic, a champion of due process” … these are some of the phrases used to describe Jim Leisenring. Who better to act as our standard-bearer?