Accounting as a subject causes undue distress to mostly those without a background, while those with one know it’s more common sense than a carefully engineered complication!
We’d already had a prep course of 6 sessions prior to the commencement of our regular accounting class. We’d heard that our Prof was new to LBS and the anxiety of being the chosen ‘guinea pigs’ got to us! It was our first class; soon after the Prof walked in we were all mesmerized by the effort he took to go over each of our names individually, repeating it after us to check whether he’d got it right. The first few sessions were exciting & interactive with a judicious mix of concepts & its practical implications, neatly intertwined with his amazing sense of humor. Then started the case studies, at which stage the class got progressively more interactive, with greater participation forthcoming from students. The myriad perspectives that kept cropping up took the class on an enjoyable roller coaster ride.
Students are encouraged to make presentations to showcase interesting observations and conclusions. This got the class intensely involved and is the one subject where most people stick to their streams and timings!
Oh yeah, those coming to class late after the break got locked out!!! I found myself locked out only once, though. Surprising, yet true; the number that got locked out has been significantly diminishing in the last few sessions. In Financial Accounting, there is constantly something to keep the mind occupied and as a result most of the class pays rapt attention to what’s being said. If the class seems silent even for a few minutes, it gets our Prof restless. He is immediately on the job cracking a joke or doing something to get our attention back – his efforts are a magnificent success. The class is LOUD and its difficult for the mind to wander off aimlessly! In accounting class with Ahmed Tahoun as the Prof, it’s either the class bursting into laughter or being deeply engrossed in discussions on a case/concept.
We have only 2 classes left and it’s sad that we are nearing the end of the course. We will surely miss him. While the MiFs are special to him being his first ever class at LBS, the MiFs have found his class most engaging. The instant bonding between the MiFs and Prof Ahmed Tahoun is here to stay!!!