Meet TSCPA Member: Claude Masear, Ed.D., MBA
It is never too late to pursue the dream of becoming a CPA – just ask TSCPA member Claude Masear, Ed.D., MBA. A music teacher and performer for many years, Masear is now working on earning his CPA license. “It was by the time I approached retirement eligibility that I decided to pursue accounting more intensively,” he says. Masear made the decision to return to school, earning his Master of Business Administration from Iona College and Master of Accountancy from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “I put off sitting for the CPA Exam for a number of years, but now, at the age of 60, I am working towards passing all four parts,” he says. “I feel accounting is a great profession to complement other fields while at the same time keeping my cognitive abilities strong throughout life.”
Growing Up
Masear was born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He says he enjoyed growing up in a diverse community, which he still feels strongly connected to today. “I was so lucky to live in such a vibrant community,” Masear says.
All in the Family
Years before pursuing accounting, Masear followed in his musical family’s footsteps. “My parents met at New York College of Music (now part of NYU),” he says. “My grandfather played the violin as a hobby, so my mother started me on violin and my sister on piano. Both my sister and I attended La Guardia High School of Music and the Arts, which was portrayed in the motion picture ‘Fame.’” At Brooklyn College, Masear was a violin student of Masao Kawasaki and a frequent performer in Itzhak Perlman’s master classes. After graduating, he began his professional music career, combining performing with teaching music privately and in public schools. Furthering his knowledge, Masear also earned a doctorate in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University and became New York state-certified in Public School District Business Administration, which is what piqued his interest in accounting.
Relocating to Tennessee
Now living in the Knoxville area, Masear says he decided to make the move to Tennessee for the musical opportunities as well as the potential business opportunities, including in
accounting. He adds, “The lack of a state income tax (thus, no tax on my New York state teacher pension), lower general costs and comparatively milder winters were other factors. Needless to say, the area is scenically stunning.”
Tips for Students
For students considering accounting as a possible career, Masear recommends taking advantage of the career development opportunities available in high school, including field trips to college informational sessions offered by business and accounting departments. “These sessions usually provide a concise yet broad snapshot of the programs and feature representatives in the field,” he says. Masear also suggests taking college-level accounting courses in high school as well as courses at a community college. “If I had to do college all over again, I would have taken some courses at a community college so that I could be exposed sooner to the ‘college’ environment.”
Favorite Member Benefits
As a TSCPA member, Masear says he enjoys the variety of member benefits and networking opportunities available. “In addition to the journal and its informative articles, I enjoy the camaraderie of the members and the presentation that I have been a panelist on for TSCPA,” he says. “They are clearly a supportive association to all of their members – particularly new members.”
Most Memorable Advice
When asked about the best piece of advice he has ever received, Masear reflects that while he has received great advice from many people, his favorite advice came from an article. “If you fail at a task, try the same task again,” he says. “If you fail again, there is no shame in trying a different task and succeeding. Barbra Streisand auditioned for the high school I went to and was not accepted. Now look at the result!”
This article was originally published in the May/June 2024 Tennessee CPA Journal.