Larry Friedken

Color portrait of Larry Friedken

Associate Clinical Professor

Department Accounting
Office Address 326A Business Building
Phone Number 814-865-7121
Email Address ljf4@psu.edu

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Larry is a former payroll and tax director for large public university prior to transitioning to a teaching role at Penn State. He is a CPA with significant public accounting experience in the tax field.

Education

LLM, Tax, The University of Florida, 1995

JD, Law, The University of Pittsburgh, 1990

BS, Accounting, The Pennsylvania State University, 1986

Courses Taught

ACCTG 405 – Prin of Tax I (3)
Elements of tax policy and tax-planning concepts for personal and business decision making; with emphasis on taxation of individuals. ACCTG 405 Principles of Taxation (3) Introduction to Taxation, is the first course that undergraduate accounting majors take that is devoted entirely to taxation. Although the course is intended for accounting majors, the content is relevant to finance majors seeking elective courses. The objective of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the concepts, terminology, and decision-making skills specific to the discipline of taxation that are germane to the professional development of those preparing for a career in accounting. Although the course surveys the many forms of taxation that are found in industrialized societies, and the comparisons thereof, the main focus is on the federal income taxation of individuals. However, coverage is provided regarding the manner in which the taxation of individuals relates to corporate and partnership entities. ACCTG 405 is related to other accounting courses through its coverage of income concepts, and micro-economic principles. The former compares differences in the measurement of financial accounting income with the manner in which income is determined according to the tax laws. The latter emphasizes business decision-making principles that are important in the managerial portion of the accounting program. The course covers topics that illustrate fundamental tax strategies and how such enable taxpayers to achieve business and personal economic objectives. The assessment process in ACCTG 405 incorporates examinations, homework assignments, and individual and group projects. The exams are combinations of objective questions and open-ended problems. Exams are often given in the evening. Course learning aids include a text book, on-line tax research services, spreadsheet software, and a packet of handouts prepared by instructors to keep the classes updated on the many changes in the tax laws that occur each year.

ACCTG 812 – TAXATION (3)
Introduction to U.S. federal income tax, covering the basics of taxation of individuals, corporations, flow-through entities and property transactions.ACCTG 812 is part of a series of four accounting courses designed to provide students with the core accounting knowledge needed for an accounting career in industry. This course introduces students to the U.S. federal income tax system. It discusses the pervasive nature of taxation in the U.S. economy and teaches students how to recognize major tax issues, with an emphasis on understanding how they impact economic decision-making. Course content focuses on: (1) developing familiarity with the tax research process and the basic principles of tax planning, (2) the taxation of individuals, and (3) the taxation of business entities including corporations and partnerships.

ACCTG 406 – Prin of Tax II (3)
Impact of federal tax structure on business decisions, research methodology, tax planning; ethical considerations of tax practice.

ACCTG 829 – TAX RESEARCH & ANALYSIS (3)
ACCTG 529 is the capstone course for students in the proposed M.Acc. in Taxation program, providing a culminating experience near completion of the program. The course focuses on resolving tax law questions in support of economic decision making and tax return position defense. Students learn to conduct and document in-depth legal research and analysis within the domain of tax law. This writing intensive course hones students' communications skills within the domain of tax law and permits students to build on content knowledge learned in other Taxation core courses. Additionally, the course provides an in-depth understanding of the ethical constructs that guide and limit the practice of taxation.

ACCTG 821 – TAX LAW ANALYSIS (3)
ACCTG 821 provides accounting and law students who are interested in the practice of taxation with an overview of U.S. federal income tax system research. The course focuses on resolving tax law questions in support of economic decision making and tax return position defense. Students learn to conduct and document in-depth legal research and analysis within the domain of tax law. This writing intensive course hones students' writing skills within the domain of tax law and business decision making. Additionally, the course provides an in-depth understanding of the ethical constructs that guide and limit the practice of taxation.

Honors and Awards