Brian Jefferson

This professor has taught: BMGT323, BMGT411, BUAC762, BUAC764
Information Review
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/22/2025
This guy doesn't even teach the class. He forces groups of students to make presentations on textbook chapters instead of just doing it himself. If the students do a poor job with the presentation or you don't read the textbook yourself, you will not do well on the quizzes. They will be okay except for one out-of-left field question you could only answer if you read through the chapter. This isn't a difficult class per say, but this will really make you question what Jefferson even gets paid for. I actually think he is worse than Mckinney, because Mckinney actually tries to teach the class.
Brian Jefferson

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/17/2025
One of my favorite professors I’ve had so far. The class is very straightforward. There are two big group presentations. As long as you interact with the class, apply feedback from earlier groups, and follow the rubric, you’ll do well. They’re graded a little tough, but if your group actually rehearses, you’ll be fine. The current events presentation is pretty chill—just make it interactive, entertaining, and creative. Don’t do a Quizlet-style presentation. The Chapter 1 presentation is more intense and comes with a paper. If your group isn’t strong, you might end up doing a lot of extra work. This one is less about entertainment and more about knowing the material. Presentation ability is graded almost entirely on effort. Just don’t read straight off the slides. Participation is easy. It’s mostly answering questions and giving feedback during other groups’ presentations. Try to speak at least once per presentation and you’re good. There’s also one short recorded presentation (3 minutes), which is very easy. Quizzes are progressive and super easy. Usually 4 out of 5 questions are basically free points, and one might be slightly challenging. He even gave us all the answers for one quiz and dropped three overall.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/11/2025
I loved this class! He really helped me build my confidence while presenting and made the course content relatable and aplicable outside of just the classroom or workplace. Awesome class and professor!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/11/2025
When we were told we were going to teach the class a chapter and then do it again for a current event I wanted to shoot myself. But honestly it wasn't that bad. It definitely was one of my most uncomfortable classes, and I definitely hated it sometimes, but I genuinely think it helped me grow as a person, public speaker, and boosted my confidence. It pushed me out of my comfort zone but due to the safe environment in the classroom, I learned a lot :). He's a good professor and also a funny guy lol
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/11/2025
I would recommend Professor Jefferson to teach literally any class. The way that he lectures is so engaging, and he truly takes the time to make sure students learn in the way that is best for them. Even for people who hate presenting, this class helped me become super comfortable presenting and worked on skills that I didn't even know I needed to work on. The quizzes can be difficult, but they do not affect your grade too much because the lowest 2 get dropped.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
12/11/2025
I enjoyed the class overall, but I would say it wasn't my favorite. It's important to just review the chapter content before quizzes because those are a good chunk of your grades. If you have a good group, you'll definitely do pretty good.
Brian Jefferson
BUAC764

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Professor Jefferson has a unique teaching approach that is engaging and keeps students' attention. His class feels very conversational, and it is clear that he is very knowledgeable about what he teaches. He provides real-world applications, which help make a connection in what we are learning. He wants his students to succeed and creates a very encouraging learning environment.
Brian Jefferson
BUAC764

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
A very solid professor to have no doubt! Tax is a challenging subject to explain, especially taxation of corporations, but Professor Jefferson took the time to thoroughly explain the chapters and areas of tax where even a professional can get lost in. It's a shame that the class is short, but he'll make sure everyone is following along and understands what's going on before progressing further. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Brian Jefferson
BUAC764

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/09/2025
This is my first ever tax class, Tax II at a master's level, and the first day I genuinely thought we were all speaking Pig Latin. There was a daunting learning curve, but Professor Jefferson's energy was palpable and immediately had me hooked. He speaks of tax with such enthusiasm that it will engage anyone. I immediately began to study harder, even studying for lecture, so I could better engage with the classes. By the end of the semester I realized I shared the same enthusiasm for tax, and am going into a tax internship with KPMG this winter because of it. It is all because of Professor Jefferson's energy and passion for the subject he teaches. I could not recommend him any more.
Brian Jefferson
BUAC764

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Professor Jefferson really took the time to teach his students and never made it feel like he was rushing through anything. His exam reviews were very helpful, especially all the tips he shared. I took his BUAC764 tax class, and I wish I had him earlier in my time at UMD!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
What I like: He is very passionate about accounting. He also provides useful feedback for students to improve their public speaking skills. He is very knowledgeable and always gives thoughtful answers to students questions. I believe this class made me a much better public speaker, and I am no longer scared of giving a presentation over 10 minutes. Overall, I think he is a good professor and I would reccomend him to students who are motivated to learn. What I didn't like: The snake draft leads to not only teams having to go back to back for presentations but them also having to go back to back during midterms, mid semester assignments, and the like. Assignments/grading are a little ambiguous making it hard to know exactly how to get good grades on assignments. Although I believe public speaking is important, I think it took a lot away from the focus of the class which should be ethics. There isn't much teaching from the professor because the presentations of teams fill the majority of the lectures. I found the quiz questions to be very tricky at times, and it was hard to know what to expect. Most of them felt more like "Can I find the trick answer?" not "Do I understand the topic?". It's hard to get graded based on team performance, because you can't control how your teammates act.
Brian Jefferson
BUAC762

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Professor Jefferson is Knowledgeable and professional
Brian Jefferson
BUAC762

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Great Professor if you're confused about the class, which I was because tax can be a tough class to have. Don't be afraid to ask questions he answer's them very clearly. I would recommend reading the textbook and making sure you somewhat have the topics understood before class.
Brian Jefferson
BUAC762

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Professor Jefferson is really great! He does a great job of engaging his students and making them feel comfortable enough to actually speak in class. I think he does a great job of relaying information in a way that is manageable and understandable. Tax is a complex topic and I was shocked to come out of his class feeling really confident in the subject. There's a lot of information but there is also extra credit opportunities and the assignments are very reasonable. Definitely recommend!
Brian Jefferson
BUAC762

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Brian is very accepting of everyone and genuinely seems like he cares about our learning. I had never taken a tax class before, but he made concepts easier to grasp by relating them to things we already knew about.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/09/2025
A really good professor that is very thoughtful of his students, gives a ton of opportunities for extra credit and isn’t super strict. The exam is online, open book and open note. One thing I will say is, the class basically consists of readings and homework that take up so much time because they are all on McGraw Hill... The readings take a while, because material is difficult, and on top of that, there are 25 concept checks for each chapter, and 1 concept is like = 3-4 questions. So def set aside a lot of time for this class.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/09/2025
I had a lot of fun with this class. Jefferson is a treat to be around, and managed to keep it engaging and fun despite an 8am meeting time. I would definitely recommend him if you can get him.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
There is a lot of content, but he does a great job explaining the topics clearly in discussion.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
I really like Professor Jefferson. This class covers a lot of material, so it can be overwhelming. It's structured with 2 noncumulative exams, but I honestly wish it was 3 since there is so much material. That being said, he makes the class easier to understand. He's very knowledgeable and gives you a lot of extra opportunities to do well.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Good teacher
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
12/09/2025
Take this professor if you can!! He is so chill and really focuses the teaching on how this info can be applicable to you in your daily life and into your adulthood. There were also some classes where he just did Q&A as he was a previous tax partner for pwc, this was really insightful and helpful. He really really cares about his students. (Also exams were open note take home)
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/09/2025
He is a wonderful professor and a very kind person.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/06/2025
Prev Reviews have hit it spot on. He has an insane wealth of knowledge and has a lot of really good practical advice about careers in accounting and how to stand out (he used to be a partner at PWC). Exams are pretty fair and open book so its more of a time pressure than anything, but still very doable. Plus attendance isn't required but i'd still recommend going as he'll give in-person EC opportunities a bunch if you're in class so just be active during those times. Great professor overall and highly recommend him to anyone taking this course.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/15/2025
Tax is really hard for me to understand, but Professor Jefferson is wonderful. He helped me understand hard concepts, urged us to ask questions, and gives ample opportunities for extra credit. Exams are fair and he provides AMPLE resources and review session to prepare. I hardly leave reviews, but I wanted to sing his praises. Very great guy and professor.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/13/2025
I initially wanted to drop this course when I found out it was going to be all presentation, since I fear public speaking. However, Professor Jefferson created a very inclusive and welcoming environment that encouraged me to take risks. As a result, I feel like I improved my soft skills tremendously. I highly recommend his course as it will for sure make you better.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/13/2025
TAKE ETHICS WITH PROFESSOR JEFFERSON. This was one of the most fun, engaging, and helpful classes I've taken at UMD. While the structure of the class is a little daunting at first (every week there are 2 student presentations that teach the content), it works phenomenally well. Professor Jefferson creates one of the most supportive classroom environments I've ever been a part of and it truly uplifts every student. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned pro in giving presentation or despise public speaking, I promise you will learn something in this class that you can implement in other classes and in your career.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/13/2025
The best professor at UMD. There are 2 big presentations and a couple short elevator pitches but that's pretty much it. The workload is light and he creates such a welcoming environment where everyone is so supportive. His feedback is genuinely helpful and he wants everyone to succeed. I can't recommend him as a professor enough!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
05/13/2025
Super nice and supportive professor. You will do a lot of presentations but you will never feel stressed since he'll try to help you improve your public speech skills. My PS skills are improved a lot from being nervous to being confident. Quizzes are kind of hard because they're accumulative, but if you read textbook carefully, you'll be good.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
05/13/2025
Jefferson is a very welcoming professor who wants everyone to succeed in the course. There are quite a few presentations, but there is not a lot of work besides preparing for those. Jefferson tries to grow everyone's presentation skills, so be prepared for constructive feedback from him and classmates. A great class to improve those skills in a low risk environment.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
05/13/2025
I thought this class was a valuable part of my education at the business school, because I know feel like I am a better public speaker than other students who do not take this class. Professor Jefferson really cares about each of his students, providing feedback that is intended to help you in the future. He also created an environment where everyone in the class becomes friendly with each other, which is great for networking and learning names. This class was challenging at times and you have to put in the work but I am thankful for it.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
05/13/2025
Professor Jefferson was a very hands-off professor. Meaning he let the students do presentations and then the class would learn from those presentations. In addition, it was a public speaking class where he would provide feedback and this would help you improve so that when you are in the workplace, you perform better. One of the better accounting classes I have taken at UMD. Strong recommend.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/13/2025
He is a super chill professor, and the class is pretty easy. It is mostly presentation-based (there are 2 group presentations and a group paper), and then a few cumulative multiple-choice quizzes. Overall, the class was pretty fun and lowkey. I would definitely recommend Prof. Jefferson.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B
Anonymous
05/13/2025
This course was super fulfilling. There was a lot of relevant information, and the course was structured in a way that made the information interesting to receive. Professor Jefferson gives students a ton of opportunities to get up in front of the class and present, and gives a ton of helpful feedback as well. Overall, this course was awesome. I learned a ton, and truly got a lot out of it. I highly recommend Professor Jefferson for this course!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
05/13/2025
Super kind and really cares about his students' learning.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
05/06/2025
Super enjoyable class, considering the subject matter is taxation. Jefferson made the class very interesting. When you come to class you can expect light lecturing, useful examples, and ample opportunities to ask questions. Mcgraw hill smartbook/hw is a pain but that is to be expected. He occasionally does these really fun trivia days where we compete with our tax and general knowledge. Great professor, would recommend. Not an "Easy A" class but an A is certainly feasible with adequate effort.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/05/2025
At first, I was thinking about my grade, like most people do. But somewhere along the way, I started participating just because I wanted to, because the class made me care. Professor Jefferson sets things up so that you can’t help but grow and succeed if you put in the effort. It’s the kind of course that changes how you show up, not just for school, but for yourself. And coming from someone who always says, “I want to care about class, but I can’t focus after the first couple of weeks,” that doesn't happen here.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
05/04/2025
One of the better professors you will run into as an accounting major in the Smith School. I took him for ethics and right out of the gate, you can tell he's knowledgeable, caring, patient, and kind. His course makes you a better speaker which is where 75% of your grade comes from which is speaking with a group to class about ethics topics. Its a shame he's a newer professor and I'm graduating because I would look to take him again and recommend him to those coming up through Smith.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
03/06/2025
This was the best accounting course I have taken at the University of Maryland! Professor Jefferson is an amazing lecturer and does a great job of making this tax course fun and interesting. The structure of his class, with lecture one day a week and review/practice questions the other day, makes it easy to follow along and practice class topics so that we are prepared for the exams. 10/10 would recommend taking his courses!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
12/06/2024
Professor Jefferson is the best! I took both a tax class and an ethics class with him, and it was absolutely wonderful. He promotes a tremendous amount of growth and learning among his students and creates an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable, valued, and capable. Beyond just teaching the material, he prepares you to act professionally and succeed in real-world scenarios. I only wish UMD had more professors like him—so inspiring and knowledgeable!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/05/2024
Very nice and interesting professor. Class participation is a big commitment, but Jefferson makes the class enjoyable. The majority of the class is taught by students in presentations, in two large group projects. He is generally generous in grading participation and presentations. Outside of the participation and Group Projects, there are 8 multiple-choice quizzes that will chip away at your grade, however he does drop the lowest two quizzes. Overall great professor, and seems to be very personable and someone who you can talk to and ask for guidance
Brian Jefferson
BUAC762

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/03/2024
I loved this Tax class with Professor Jefferson. I think that he made learning fun while connecting the dots with real-life situations. I enjoyed his spitfire questions which enabled us to solidify the course material.I think he cared for the students and he wanted to ensure we understood the why behind the material. His class is a must-take if you can!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/03/2024
411 is a unique class in the accounting program, most classes is taught by a new group of students instead of the professor himself, so you get what your classmates and you put into it. That being said it was very fun, engaging, and the student groups all did a very fine. It was one of my favorite classes. Prof Jefferson was great of you asked questions and I loved the format, but if you are reading this review for one of his other classes, I do not think 411 reviews would be helpful due to the very different formats.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/03/2024
Professor Jefferson is great. The class is set up with 2 major presentations, a paper, an elevator pitch, and chapter quizzes where the lowest two get dropped. The presentations are definitely intimidating at first but once you get over the first one it gets a lot better. Jefferson creates a welcoming environment for the students to feel comfortable in speaking in front of everyone. I recommend you take him for 411 and for 323 he's great!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/13/2024
Overall, I really liked this class. There are 2 presentations, 1 group paper, and 9 quizzes. Aside from the presentations, there isn't much work you have to do outside of class. You do have to show up and participate basically class to get a good participation grade. We also had to do a short 3 minute individual presentation (or you could do 6 minutes with someone else). He creates a positive environment where presenting and participating isn't bad. After every presentation, everyone is super supportive and gives very positive feedback. You could give a horrible presentation and he'll still find things to point out that you did super well. One thing I didn't like is that he's not very clear on what he wants from the presentations and grades them kind of low. Thankfully, we had extra credit and he drops the lowest 2 quizzes (he changed it to 3 at the end of the semester because he liked how we participated throughout the semester).
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
05/07/2024
Highly recommend taking it with Jefferson ESPECIALLY if you dislike tax. He makes the content very engaging and offers many opportunities to succeed whether through practice, extra credit, and additional review. He is an extremely personable and witty guy who makes boring topics interesting. He has been my favorite professor so far!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
05/07/2024
He is such an awesome professor and he knows the material really well. He is very engaging and is very helpful with difficult materials. It is a lot of concepts and topics, but he really helps make the course load manageable.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/07/2024
Professor Jefferson is a great professor and he is very understanding of his students. There are two large presentations but other than those two weeks there is no homework on a weekly basis. The class is pretty interesting and there is a lot of open discussion about ethical topics and current events. Overall, highly recommend taking Jefferson for any class that he teaches.
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/07/2024
Professor Jefferson is a very good professor because he cares about your development as an individual. The class is structured so that you really have to get comfortable with public speaking. Would recommend to everyone!!
Brian Jefferson
BMGT323

Expecting an A
Anonymous
10/22/2023
Amazing professor who cares about his student
Brian Jefferson
BMGT411

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
05/20/2023
Most of this class is fairly hands off by design by Professor Jefferson. Most of the class is watching presentations for the chapters (each team prepares two presentations per semester). As far as I know, the other sections not taught by him operate on the same structure. Professor Jefferson is very kind and understanding and willing to work with you if you need additional help. Very important you go to class as there is a participation grade.