Faculty

Instructor Was Director of Financial and Marketing Services for Hilton Hotels

Originally from England, Paul qualified with Pricewaterhouse Coopers as a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and in 2014 became a Chartered Global Management Accountant due to the strategic alliance between CIMA and AICPA in the United States. He served as a Regional Finance Director for Hilton and Marriott hotels in Western Europe and first came to America after 9-11 to serve as the Director of Financial and Marketing Services for Hilton Hotels Corp at what used to be their Worldwide HQ in Beverly Hills. He moved permanently back to America in early 2006 to start his own (staff training and development) business. He, his wife, and their two children will become US Citizens later this year.

Do you have a particular philosophy about teaching?
I look at the students as business owners and/or senior leaders within a business. I try and relate every concept within financial and management accounting to the real world of business which is where I've come from. I think there's nothing worse than someone teaching theory without ever having done the job and/or owned a company. I also try where practical to relate every concept to a student's personal finances. My general approach is to really focus on being of service to the students and hopefully I show this by being organized; being early; being responsive to emails and grading work promptly. Students often say that I'm "firm but very student-centered" and I believe that's the balance in which they thrive.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at FIDM?
As I get older the students come in at the same age. My point being is that our age gap widens and that keeps me on my toes. The gap encourages me to stay relevant; stay on top of new teaching methodologies and adapt what I do to their way of learning. I find some methods of teaching are timeless and imperative whereas I can see how I've adapted much of my teaching delivery as I've been open to being guided by the next generation of students.

Paul Butler is an Outstanding Faculty Award Winner, an award given by the student body to outstanding faculty members.

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication.

Categories:  Business Management Faculty