After completing
her M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Fern
Zabriskie had a successful business career spanning over twenty years before
returning to the University of Washington to earn her Ph.D. Throughout her career, she held jobs of
increasing responsibility including information systems, strategic planning,
financial accounting, budgeting, financial planning and investor
relations. She began her business
career with a small, privately held corporation in New York State and last held
the title Vice President/Controller for a Division of Pitney Bowes, Inc. She has lived and worked in New York,
Florida, Switzerland, New England, and on the West Coast. She earned her C.P.A. in Maryland and holds
a Certificate in Management Accounting.
Dr. Zabriskie completed
her Ph.D. in Business Administration in 2002 with a major in
accounting, and minors in finance, economics, and econometrics. Her
dissertation is entitled “The Costs and Benefits of Managing Earnings
to Meet an Earnings Target.” Zabriskie’s research interests continue to
be in the area of managing earnings, but have been expanded to include
research aimed at improving teaching in general and the teaching of
accounting specifically. She teaches courses in accounting and finance
at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Zabriskie’s personal hobbies include sailing, gardening, and needle crafts.