Mike Truelson and Delia Valentine have been selected to receive two of Pamplin's four 2020 Doctoral Summer Research Grants.

Mike Truelson

Mike's research project examines how private clients influence various aspects of the Big 4 audit firms. Due to data limitations, prior auditing research has almost exclusively focused on public clients while ignoring private clients. However, private clients are a very significant part of the audit firm’s client base. Overall, this study will expand academic researchers’, practitioners’, and regulators’ understanding of how private clients influence the Big 4 audit firms in audit quality, audit pricing, and industry expertise.

Mike Truelson is a third year doctoral student with research interests in audit, financial reporting, and capital markets. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Louisiana State University in 2012 and his master’s degree from Louisiana State University in 2013. Prior to starting the doctoral program, Mike worked as an Audit Staff with EY in Dallas, TX and as an Audit Senior with KPMG in Pittsburgh, PA. He has experience auditing both public and private companies, primarily in the manufacturing, banking, and healthcare. Mike is a member of the American Accounting Association and a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.

When asked about his future in academia, Mike replied, "I am excited to bring practical experience to the classroom and help train the next generation of CPAs."

Delia Valentine

Delia is a true Hokie receiving her bachelor's degree in accounting from Virginia Tech in 2007, followed by her master's in 2008, and returning in 2017 to begin work on her doctorate.  Delia's research interests include empirical research in auditing, particularly in areas involving the new audit partner disclosures in the United States.

When asked about her future in academia, Delia replied "I am passionate about conducting research that is of interest to academics as well as regulators and practitioners. Becoming an accounting professor will allow me to bring my previous work experience along with my current research pursuits to the classroom and positively influence the future of the profession."