Scott Fleming, a University alum, Ravenswood native and Elkins resident who serves as a professor and chair of the Department of Accounting in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, has been selected for the September Faculty Feature.
Fleming earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1988 and MBA in 1996 from WVU, and in 2004, he was invited back to his alma mater to present his research while pursuing his doctoral degree at Virginia Tech.
The presentation led to a job interview and 20-year career at WVU.
“My success is a direct result of the foundation that I built as a student at WVU,” he said. “The University gave me the tools needed to thrive in both my professional and personal life, and now I want to help others do the same.”
Fleming previously served as the department chair from 2012-15 before returning in 2024. In his role, he uses strategic planning to prepare accounting students for successful careers by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to stay relevant in an ever-changing field.
Committed to the University’s land-grant mission, as an instructor, he provides students with hands-on, real-world experiences that directly benefit the state by promoting financial literacy.
Two of the experiential projects that he helped spearhead include the Small Government Monitoring Project, where students conducted limited audits for small municipal and solid waste authorities, and the PCard Data Analytics Project, where they analyzed state purchasing data to identify potential fraud and waste.
The West Virginia State Auditor’s Office ultimately used the PCard project findings to develop new anti-fraud software.
“Many people read headlines about policy violations and alleged fraud without realizing WVU students were the genesis of the solution. This demonstrates our students are more than just future leaders — they are already benefiting the state with innovative problem-solving skills,” he said.
Recognizing the nationwide shortage of accountants, Fleming spends a great deal of his time recruiting students and correcting common misconceptions about the field.
He emphasizes that accounting is a flexible career focused on problem-solving and helping people, while noting that approximately 25% of all CEOs have an accounting background.
He is also a behavioral researcher who has presented his findings on financial forensics and anti-fraud mitigation all over the world, However, his most memorable experience while traveling abroad was seeing his name and the “Flying WV” on a billboard along a major highway in the Middle East, advertising the event he was about to lead.
“Like a utility infielder, I handle a variety of responsibilities in my role, and I have enjoyed all of it,” he said. “My countless networking opportunities have been especially valuable since I believe making these connections are essential for success.”
Fleming, who owns a farm in Jackson County with his wife, Julie, a two-time WVU grad, and his father, says he has more hobbies than time. Among several other hobbies, he enjoys playing guitar and the mountain dulcimer, riding his motorcycle, mountain biking and restoring antique cars.
Nominate a University faculty member for a future Faculty Feature by sending an email to enews@mail.wvu.edu.