Linda Hall: accounting for adventure

For Linda Hall, accounting hasn’t always been about crunching numbers, it's also been an international adventure. 

In 2005, Hall was one of 12 American accountants who served as goodwill ambassadors to China as part of the People to People program. The only accountant from Alaska, Hall met with government officials, professors at the University in Shanghai and a KPMG office, an international accounting firm owned by Chinese professionals. 

“It was an amazing experience to meet with the Chinese Government in Beijing,” said Hall. “We got to see the Forbidden City and walk on the Great Wall.  China was on a fast track to bring their country’s accounting practices into International GAAP compliance in a short two years. It was an amazing feat to do. Some of these businesses still used the old ways at the time.”

Hall earned an associates degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has more than 30 years of increasing experience in accounting.  Before joining UA she worked in accounting at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union for almost 15 years, and at CIRI (Cook Inlet Regional, Inc.) for another five years. 

Hall has been with the University of Alaska Foundation’s accounting department since December 2007. She started at Statewide in February 2006 in Cost Analysis. She enjoys the variety of work and learning opportunities. She says it's the responsibility she feels for helping the Foundation steward contributed funds that inspires her commitment to her work.

“I like the UA Foundation’s mission to support the university and to help make it a great experience for our students, faculty and staff,” said Hall. “We also need to be aware of how what we do affects our donors. They need assurance that we are spending their donations in the manner they gave the contributions for.” 

Hall is almost a lifelong Alaskan. She was born in San Francisco while her father was attending college. The family moved back to Alaska when Hall was 6-months-old. Her mother’s family has been in Alaska since the early 1800's. Lake Clark was named after Hall’s great-great grandfather. In her spare time she enjoys taking walks, reading and crocheting. 

Hall moved to Fairbanks to live close to her daughter and grandchildren. She also enjoys watching astronomy TV shows about black holes, the galaxy and space exploration with her grandson.