Markus Widmann, born in 1986, joined the Department of Services and Consulting in September 2022 as Professor of General Business Administration, in particular Auditing and Business Taxation. Previously, the business graduate worked as an audit assistant and audit manager in the Audit Middle Market area at Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft and later as a manager in the Audit Private Equity area at Deloitte Audit S.à.r.l, Luxembourg. From 2016 to 2022, Widmann also worked first as a research assistant, then as an academic councilor at the Chair of Accounting & Auditing at the University of Trier. Since his successful graduation from the University of Mainz in 2012, Widmann has also been a freelance lecturer for cost accounting, controlling, accounting and business taxation for various teaching institutions, including ISÉC Luxembourg, VWA Trier, TU Kaiserslautern or Trier University of Applied Sciences. He was also associated with HWG LU as a lecturer before taking up his professorship. Here, Professor Markus Widmann introduces himself in more detail in an interview.
You have been a professor at HWG LU since September 1. Did you have a good start?
M. Widmann: Yes, I had a very good start. Since I was already an adjunct professor at HWG LU last summer semester, I was able to get a rough overview in advance. Apart from that, the Human Resources Development team provided me with all the information I needed to get started. So I feel very well prepared and am looking forward to the new task.
What are the responsibilities of your new position?
I represent the professorship in research and teaching. I am responsible for bachelor's and master's courses in the Department of Services and Consulting. In the Bachelor's program, for example, this concerns the courses "Business Taxation and Auditing" and "Business Administration with a Focus on Finance". The content of my courses deals with the preparation and, above all, the auditing of annual financial statements.
What particularly appeals to you about the new position?
The independent responsibility of the courses. HWG LU has a great - very well thought-out and practice-oriented - teaching program. I'm looking forward to helping shape it from now on.
Teaching has always been very close to my heart. Even during my studies, I worked as a tutor for various courses and realized early on that I would like to be in a responsible position in academic teaching one day. I enjoy interacting with students enormously - especially when I find that I awaken an enthusiasm and that the students show an interest in the topics covered.
What are the first goals you have set for yourself?
I would like to set up an attractive teaching program that specifically prepares students for the changing challenges in the profession of auditors, tax consultants or as employees in a finance and accounting department. This requires a close integration of professional topics with technical solutions for their implementation. I always create my case studies and exercises with self-developed tools, in particular with MS-Excel and PowerBI, and try to show the students the connections better.
In addition, I would like to intensify the cooperation with practice partners and associations from the field of auditing as well as continue to conduct various research projects. Currently, for example, I am working on various empirical analyses to assess the Financial Market Integrity Strengthening Act, i.e. the "reaction of the legislator" to the scandal surrounding Wirecard AG.
What did you do professionally before you took up your post in Ludwigshafen?
I was an academic councilor at the University of Trier at the Chair of Accounting & Auditing.
Why did you choose HWG LU?
HWG LU convinced me right from the start. It already started with the invitation and the professional organization of the appointment lecture. When the welcome and the discussions with the appointment committee were so warm, I knew that I wanted to come to HWG LU. The rest of the application process was also very transparent. I felt very well informed at all times. I would like to thank all those involved for that!
Have a good start and thank you very much for the interview!
(Interview: Iwana Hübner /Elena Wassmann)
