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Visiting scholar: Soon Suk Yoon

The Western Illinois University Department of Accounting has welcomed Soon Suk Yoon, of Korea, as a visiting scholar in the College of Business and Technology. Yoon is internationally recognized in the accounting profession and has written one of the leading textbooks on international financial accounting.

Yoon said he was introduced to WIU by a colleague in Ohio as he was searching for a school to visit.

“Professor John Elfrink was interested in having me at WIU upon reading my resume,” Yoon said. “I was then interviewed by three faculty members of the Department of Accounting and Finance, including John Elfrink, Gregg Woodruff and Hongbok Lee.”

Yoon earned his bachelor’s degree from Chonnam National University, his master’s degree from Seoul National University and his doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He returned to Chonnam National University after earning his doctoral degree and has worked for the university for 25 years.

“I have been awarded eight times for my overall research works or outstanding papers,” Yoon said. “I am currently one of two Samil (PWC accounting firm in Korea) distinguished professors. The distinguished professors are selected by the Korean Accounting Association and supported by Samil Accounting Firm. I served as the president of the Korean Accounting Association in 2005-2006. Also, I have served as a board member of the Korean Accounting Standards Board for four years. In addition, I have served as editor or some other administrative positions for the university or academic organizations in Korea.”

Yoon plans to stay at Western for one year, but he said it is likely he may extend his stay for a second year. He is currently teaching undergraduate Accounting 201 (Principles of Financial Accounting) classes and graduate level Accounting 540 (Accounting Theory).

“I am very much interested in teaching Accounting 540 since I try to help graduate students enhance their overall picture of the discipline so they can make logical reasoning in reaching plausible conclusions when they face practical accounting problems,” he said.

Yoon said he has three textbooks, which are loved by Korean students: Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (K-IFRS) Intermediate Financial Accounting, K-IFRS Financial Accounting and K-IFRS Principles of Accounting with Key Words in Korean. The Intermediate Financial Accounting has been in the Korean market for 18 years and has maintained its “best-seller” position.

The Financial Accounting has also been in the market for more than 15 years. The two books are revised almost every year to keep up with changes in accounting standards. The Principles of Accounting is written in English and has been in the market for four years. This is the first textbook written in English, with key terms in Korean.

Yoon said he enjoys Macomb because it is a “quiet, small town,” similar to the rural environment he grew up in, in a small Korean town.

“I like the people here,” he said. “They are very friendly and never pass by without saying ‘hello.’ I also like the nature here. I was surprised to see so many varieties of wildlife, including deer, hummingbirds, blue jays, cardinals and others.”