Accounting Alumnus of the Year Award

The Accounting Alumnus of the Year award was created in 1990 to honor the achievements of distinguished Fisher accounting alumni.

The recipient must not only exemplify Fisher's core values, but must meet three basic criteria of noteworthy career achievement, significant humanitarian effort, and outstanding contribution to the Fisher community.

2023 Honoree

James Bowers ’70

Founder, Bowers & Company, CPA, PLLC

Bowers began his accounting career with Deloitte where he spent a decade helping clients, building his experience, and rising through the ranks to manager-in-charge for Deloitte in Syracuse. During this time, he also served for several years as an adjunct professor of accounting at Fisher.

In 1980, he made the decision to branch out on his own and founded Bowers and Company, CPA, PLLC. He has become a leading national expert in the short line railroad industry, frequently sharing his expertise at national and regional conferences. He is also an industry advocate and was instrumental in the implementation of the short line railroad rehabilitation tax credit, helping to write the bill and worked to lobby for its passing. Since founding the company, Bowers has grown the firm from one employee to a staff of more than 100.

A certified public accountant, he is a member of several professional organizations including both the AICPA and the NYSSCPA, regional railroad associations and clubs throughout New England, South Carolina, and New Jersey, and is a board member for Railroads of New York, Inc.

Bowers is active in his community, giving his time to local organizations including Interfaith Works, St. Joseph’s the Worker Church, Transitional Living Services, Dunbar Association, and the Faith-Hope Center.

He has earned recognition for both his professional accomplishments and his service to the community. In 2018, he received the Community Builders Awards from the NYSSCPA, and, along with his wife, Maureen, received the Immaculata Award from the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse in 2019.

Past Recipients