Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration Alumnus of the Year 2026 — Tom Watson ('92)

Tom Watson (‘92) earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Harding and currently serves as CEO of Forvis Mazars, LLP, one of the top-10 largest CPA firms in the country.  He is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the firm’s more than 7,500 personnel, including approximately 660 partners. He also serves on the board of Forvis Mazars Global, an international network of more than 40,000 people in 100 countries. He was recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting in 2024 by Accounting Today and as one of the Top 500 Most Powerful Leaders in Dallas by D CEO Magazine. He is also serves as trustee of the Forvis Mazars Foundation, board member and chair-elect of the Dallas First Tee and chair of Broadway Dallas.

Where is your current hometown?

I currently live in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

How have you been involved in your community?

I am an immediate past board chair and member for Broadway Dallas; board member of The First Tee of Greater Dallas; ad-hoc board member for Dallas Regional Chamber; and have served on past boards for the American Heart Association, MADD and HFMA.

Who were your major influences during your time at Harding?

There are so many I really cannot name them all. My first accounting class was with David Allen, and then Mike Emerson seemed to teach the majority of my upper level classes. He connected me with BKD (which became Forvis Mazars) for my internship. Both had a big impact on my decision to choose and stay in accounting. I vividly recall classes from Don Diffine and Lavon Carter. And while I never took a class from Phil Brown, you could feel his influence in the Business School. He is such a great ambassador for Harding. The faculty and my classmates at Harding helped build a priceless foundation for me in both how to learn and how to be a person of character.

How are you living your Inspired Purpose?

When I started at Harding, I was a dual business and science major, but I always was drawn to business. During my first semester, I took a science class and an accounting class. Accounting clicked for me, and I changed my major. (And that science class was difficult!) It turned out to be a pretty good decision. I got into this profession because I loved the technical challenge of understanding the rules and regulations of finance and how businesses must comply. Then, I started working with health care organizations and learned what it meant to be a trusted advisor for strategic planning and Medicare/Medicaid regulations. As I helped build our health care practice in Arkansas and Texas, I became enamored with leadership and ways I could make a positive influence on the careers of others. I watched many of my mentors do so, and I wanted to show how one could be successful in business while also being a person of faith and character. I know I have failed many times, but my purpose remains very similar to our firm's purpose: to help those we serve unlock their full potential.

What makes your field rewarding?

The most rewarding part of my career is not our firm stats, our profitability or our accolades. It's when I get to work with and mentor someone and I can play a part in helping them achieve goals that, at the start, they thought were beyond their ability. If we truly help our people unlock potential, time after time, the stats, profitability and accolades will take care of themselves.

What advice do you have for current students?

My advice is to set a great example and don't hide who you are and how you are wired. In a professional setting, the goal is often to "be different" in how you serve others and live your life. People will be drawn to that, and then you can share more.