Dordt University senior Brendan Pieper, an accounting and finance major from New Prague, Minnesota, has been named the 2026 Accounting Student of the Year.
The Dordt University Business, Accounting, and Economics Department has named Brendan Pieper, an accounting and finance major from New Prague, Minnesota, as its 2026 Accounting Student of the Year.
Pieper says the recognition came as both a surprise and an honor.
“I was thrilled and thankful,” he says. “It felt amazing to see all my hard work pay off, even when I wasn’t expecting anything in return. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be part of the program and for the professors who helped me reach where I am today.”
Originally planning to study computer science, Pieper discovered a new direction after enrolling in accounting courses at Dordt—an experience he credits to faculty mentorship.
“Professor Randy Smit taught me accounting in a way that was exciting and showed me the path to make a difference in the future,” he says. “He and other professors have made a real connection with me and have been incredibly helpful as I prepare for the workplace.”
Pieper adds that Dordt’s emphasis on integrating faith into learning shaped his experience in meaningful ways.
“Each class makes an effort to see how we can incorporate God into the workplace and live through Him,” he says. “That’s something I really value about the program.”
Faculty say Pieper stands out not only for his academic performance, but for his ability to apply what he has learned beyond the classroom.
“Brendan is not just a stand-out student in the classroom, but he has shown that he can take what he has learned and apply it to real-world opportunities as well,” says Randy Smit, professor of accounting at Dordt. “I look forward to watching how God will use Brendan to further His kingdom in the years to come.”
After graduation, Pieper will begin his career as a forensic accountant and business valuation analyst at Intellex Forensics in Minneapolis, where he will work on cases ranging from fraud investigations to financial disputes.
“I hope to be able to help both everyday people who are in a difficult place and those who embrace God’s principles of honesty and integrity,” he says. “This path forward would not have been possible without the encouragement and technical knowledge I gained at Dordt.”
Pieper is grateful for the recognition and the role Dordt has played in his growth.
“Dordt has made me a better accountant and a better person—technically, spiritually, and personally,” he says. “I’m honored to receive this award and hope to continue building on what I’ve learned to serve others well.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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