Tom Falskow, CGMA, CPA

Visiting Instructor

Tom Flaskow
  • Professional
  • Biography
  • Why PLU?
  • Personal

Areas of Emphasis or Expertise

  • Accounting
  • Business Management
  • Leadership

Responsibilities

BUSA 201 “Introduction to Business in a Global Environment”

BUSA 203 “Managerial Accounting”

BUSA 422 “Advanced Accounting”

BUSA 424 “Auditing”

BUSA 442 “Leadership and Change”

 

Research Projects

  • Lead author of article titled: Statistical Analytical Techniques in Auditing
    Published in Revisjon og Regnskap Nr. 6 1997 (pp 284-293)
    Norwegian State Accounting Society publication

    Educator and Industry Panelist – Discussion about the future of the accounting profession at Fall 2024 Bellevue College Conference https://bellevuecollege.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/AccountingTaxationTechnologyConference2024/TomFalskow/tabid/1500823/Default.aspx

Professional Memberships/Organizations

  • American Institute of CPA's (AICPA)

Biography

Tom Falskow brings over 30 years of finance and accounting experience to the PLU School of Business.  Having started his career in public accounting, he audited clients across the world, first in Seattle, then travelling to Zurich, Switzerland, Oslo, Norway and finally to Anchorage, Alaska.  He served clients in a variety of industries with a major focus on manufacturing and energy. He is experienced with International Financial Reporting Standards and SEC reporting.

While in Alaska he moved into the energy sector as a controller and finance manager for BP, one of the largest energy companies in the world. He enjoyed the detailed work of running a day-to-day business along with the macro-economic view that the energy sector provides. He had opportunities to widen his view of finance through roles in strategy, planning, supply chain contracting and systems integration work that helped him realize the importance of the integration of all disciplines to make a successful business.

More recently he had the opportunity to serve as the CFO of a public company in the construction industry in Washington State where he was responsible for a team of 40+ individuals that delivered all aspects of finance and accounting along with the IT department. He was also the key integrator working along-side the business development, supply chain, and HR teams in supporting their roles in the business.  Since retiring from full-time work he has been working as a CFO Consultant to businesses in the region and continues to do so on a part-time basis.

Tom has also served on the boards of not-for-profit organizations including as treasurer where he was responsible for day-to-day accounting and annual reporting requirements. One of these roles involved fiduciary oversight of an investment portfolio in excess of $50m. He currently serves on the board of the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Tom has a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Washington Foster School of Business. He is a Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He also has extensive experience teaching financial topics to a variety of audiences. He lives in his hometown of Tacoma and enjoys travel, cooking and exploring the great outdoors of the PNW.

Why PLU?

PLU’s commitment to the success of each and every student and being part of a team that is focused on fulfilling PLU’s mission of education that involves thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership, and care for other people, for their communities, and for the Earth.

Interests

  • Speaking Norwegian and some Danish