The University of Southern California has announced a $15 million gift from alumnus James R. Parks ('72, MBT '75) in support of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting within the USC Marshall School of Business.

The largest portion of the gift will support the renamed Jennifer and James R. Parks Master of Business Taxation degree program. The gift also includes $3 million to endow the Jennifer and James R. Parks Chair of Taxation and provide support for additional key initiatives such as the renovation of the accounting building.

A member of the USC Marshall School of Business board of leaders, Parks is a CPA and managing director in the Los Angeles office of CBIZ MHM, LLC who has specialized in tax consulting, financial analysis, and litigation consulting for business management professionals and the entertainment, oil and gas, manufacturing, and real estate industries for more than forty years. In addition, he serves on the governing boards of the California Council on Economic Education, Whittier College, and the Autry National Center of the American West.

"The Parks family's generosity will enable the USC Leventhal School of Accounting to extend its already formidable reputation as a place where elite accounting education takes place," said Marshall School dean James G. Ellis. "This is truly a meaningful and significant commitment, and we are deeply grateful for this transformative gift."