Dixie State University students recently worked with IRS special agents in a mock scenario to gather evidence, arrest, and convict someone of tax evasion as part of the Adrian Project, a hands-on experience that provides students with a glance at the life of an IRS special agent.
Dixie State University Students Participate in IRS Adrian Project
By Jake Harber
When you think of the IRS, you probably think of audits, taxes, or even stimulus checks. Most people don’t really think of the IRS as criminal investigators – but for the IRS Criminal Investigation division, investigating criminals is a daily (if you didn’t catch that from the name).
Students at Dixie State work to “arrest” a suspect of tax evasion at the IRS Adrian Project on campus.
Thanks to the efforts of Cindy Greenman, associate professor of accounting, and Rochelle Blatter, senior career counselor, this opportunity was brought to Dixie State’s campus. “The Adrian Project offers a look at a day in the life; it’s a great way for students to see if being an agent is a good fit for them,” said Rochelle Blatter. “We have students here that are accounting majors, criminal justice majors, and a lot of other majors. It’s an opportunity to apply what you learn in class.”
“We have over 20 special agents here,” said Ryan Miggin, graduate assistant for Dr. Greenman. “This is a big event, it doesn’t happen often.”
Students sat at tables throughout the Gardner Ballroom with multiple agents at each table. Agents helped students use their accounting skills to round up evidence in an example of a fraud referral case.
Each student had a folder containing documents that they used to eventually arrest and convict the suspect of tax evasion in a role-play with the agents.
Students had time to practice the arrest beforehand with their peers.
The Accounting program at Dixie State University prepares students for careers in public accounting, taxation, corporate management, and consultation positions through real-world application, relevant technology, and practice. For more information about the Dixie State University Accounting program, please visit accounting.utahtech.edu.