MPAcc Faculty

Sheri Betzer, CPA, CFE | Senior Lecturer
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5600 and ACCM 5650

Since receiving her B.S. in Accounting from Colorado Mesa University, Sheri has become one of the foremost experts in fraud & forensic accounting. She regularly conducts continuing education courses for CPA’s and attorneys while maintaining a practice that involves litigation support, fraud investigation, & financial consulting. Former clients include the US Dept. of Justice, the CO Dept. of Revenue, & public defender offices throughout CO, AZ, & WY.

Amy Cardillo, MPAcc, CPA | Senior Lecturer
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5000

Amy Cardillo is a Colorado CPA and small business owner. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1993 and her Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2000. She completed her Masters of Professional Accountancy from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2015. Mrs. Cardillo and her husband own a forensic consulting firm that specializes in building envelope failure. Additionally, Mrs. Cardillo provides tax preparation and accounting services for small business clients.

Greg Clifton, JD, LLM | Department Chair and Associate Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5060 and ACCM 6140

Gregory Clifton is a tenured Associate Professor of Accounting and earned his law degree (JD) at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and an LLM in Taxation from the University of Denver. He is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of Colorado and Georgia. He has also practiced in the US Tax Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Greg continues to operate a small private practice advising small businesses and individuals on tax matters.

Jo Erven, CPA, CIA, CFE, CTQA | Lecturer and Director of Internal Audit Education
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5800 and ACCM 5901

Amanda “Jo” Erven is a Colorado CPA, a CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), a CFE (Certificate Fraud Examiner), and an entrepreneur – owning her own consulting and training firm, Audit. Consulting. Education. LLC. Jo received her Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia in 2004. She has authored three books, including one on Internal Audit, one on Personal Development, and the most recent one on Ethics. Jo has trained hundreds of clients and thousands of IIA and ACFE members on these three topics.

Andrew Holt, PhD | Full Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5510

Dr. Andrew Holt is a professor of accounting at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He previously held positions at Kingston University, Gloucestershire University and the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom (UK). Andrew obtained his PhD in accounting at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK. He also holds an MSc in Accounting from the LSE and a BA (Hons) in Accounting from Kingston Polytechnic, UK.

Kristina Kesselring, PhD, MPAcc, CPA | Assistant Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5070 and ACCM 6140

Kristina recently earned her PhD from the University of Denver. She is also a 2018 graduate of MSU Denver, where she obtained the Master of Professional Accountancy; emphasizing in taxation. Undergraduate education was completed at Colorado State University, Pueblo, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. Currently a full-time lecturer at MSU Denver and enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise in the area of public accounting. Married 25 years to husband, Michael, she has three children and enjoys spending time with her family. A Colorado native, she is passionate about community and the well-fare of the state.

William Mesa, D.M., CPA, CGMA | Associate Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5100 and ACCM 5200

Dr. Mesa received his Bachelors and Masters in Accounting from New Mexico State University and his Doctorate in Management at Colorado Technical University. His primary areas of teaching are in accounting, strategic analytics and ethics. Dr. Mesa is the principal and founder of Triangulation Group, LLC where he serves as a consultant for SMEs in the capacity of vision, strategy, and core values planning in conjunction with analytics.

Minga Negash, DEconSc | Full Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 6580

Dr. Negash teaches a variety of accounting courses. His intellectual contributions were published in highly rated journals. He serves the University of the Witwatersrand as a Visiting Professor. Negash is a recipient of a national award from the Southern African Accounting Association & the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship. He is a member of the American Accounting Association, serves on editorial boards of journals & advises the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Ethiopia.

Letitia Pleis, PhD, CPA, CMA, CFM | Full Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5400 and ACCM 5810

Dr. Pleis has a Ph.D. in Accounting. She is focused on Cost Accounting and is Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis. Current research interest involves cost management and strategy within small businesses. She is active within the profession focusing much of her time with the Institute of Management Accountants and is a great resource for students wanting to know more about the Certified Management Accountant certification.

Richard Russell, JD, CPA | Associate Professor
Course(s) Taught: ACCM 5070 and ACCM 5090

Professor Richard Russell is a JD/CPA specializing in research in the area of taxation. His teaching interest include the taxation of Individuals, Corporations, and Partnerships as well as Tax Research and Business Law courses. His research interest include taxation of private equity funds, tax issues stemming from the development of new and developing technologies, retirement tax issues and tax treatment of federally illicit business enterprises.