[Anonymous]

Before I started studying for the CPA exam, I read this book “You can pass the CPA exam” by Debra Hopkins. It was a great motivator. I read today that she has passed and just wanted to see if anyone else had any great memories of her (I know some people even studied under her at NIU). My Dad knew her from accounting conferences for educators. I know she will be missed. I am feeling uneasy about my audit exam on Saturday, but I’m going to give it my all in memory of Debra Hopkins.

Here is what I read:

As many of you know, we lost a dear member of the profession this fall. Debra R. Hopkins, CPA, (1951-2014) was an acclaimed author, esteemed professor, respected leader, and true champion of the accounting profession. Family and friends paid tribute to her last week at the Illinois CPA Society’s Women’s Leadership Breakfast, and we would like to continue to share her story with you.

Mrs. Hopkins was an enthusiastic professor who had a passion for encouraging others to earn the CPA credential. Every year, she helped thousands of accounting students and professionals prepare for the CPA exam. Her contributions to the profession have been invaluable, which is one of the many reasons we would like to continue her legacy.

On behalf of her family, friends, and those whose lives she’s touched, the Debra R. Hopkins “Be a CPA” Scholarship Fund has been created to help students and accounting professionals fulfill their dreams of earning the CPA credential.

Your support, no matter how small, will help Debra’s legacy live on by continuing to support future CPAs. To donate: https://www.icpas.org/endowmentfund/gift/donation.aspx.

An article from NIU:

https://www.niutoday.info/2014/09/02/niu-remembers-debra-hopkins/

[jeff]

I met Debra once in NYC at an AICPA meeting. She was very nice.

I was shocked when I heard the news.

[rupert]

Debra was an amazing teacher. Truly amazing. I used the NIU CPA Review Correspondence course for my CPA exam prep. I never actually met her in person, but did exchange a few emails and had a few telephone conversations with her, and of course listened to countless hours of CPA exam prep lectures.

My wife was forced to listen to some of the audio lectures while I was studying for the exam. She even talks about what a great teacher she was.

Such a sad story. If I'm not mistaken, I believe she had just recently retired.

FAR 90 Oct. 6, 2012
AUD 96 Dec. 8, 2012
REG 93 May 30, 2013
BEC 84 Aug. 31, 2013

NIU CPA Review Correspondence and Wiley Test Bank

[yamar]

I too was shocked when I read the news a few months ago.

I started my exam journey in one of her last classes before she retired. I still have my class audio recordings that I used to pass FAR with. I'll never forget some of that stuff. She helped a lot of people pass this exam.

FAR: 65,49,61,74,78
AUD: 65,68,64,78
REG: 56,77
BEC: 75

[Anonymous]

She was teaching courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago when the accident happened. Really unfortunate accident.

[VR]

I can't believe that Debra is not with us any more… I attended her CPA Audit classes in downtown Chicago. She was the best teacher I ever had! Her talent, passion for the subject and sense of humor is unforgettable. ….and at the same time she was very warm, motherly and down to earth person. Now she is rooting for us, CPA candidates, from above….

[Author]

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