ACIS Department Hosts 3rd Annual Accounting Research Conference

On June 3-4, the Department (finally) hosted its third annual accounting research conference at the Skelton Conference Center. Academics from around the country joined Pamplin faculty and PhD students in discussing leading research in accounting. 50 scholars attended the conference and contributed to the constructive, positive environment that the conference is known for. The conference concluded with a beautiful hike to Cascade Falls.

Invited presenters were Arthur Morris from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Steve Utke from the University of Connecticut, Eldar Maksymov from Arizona State University, Joe Schroeder from Indiana University, Keith Czerney from the University of Missouri, and Frank Murphy from the University of Connecticut. Attendees, Virginia Tech faculty, and PhD students discussed papers after the speakers’ presentations and led active question and answer sessions.

The research presented was diverse, reflecting the broad range of important questions accountants investigate today and included analysis of: compensation contracts for bank executives; the real effects of tax-motivated dividends; the preferences of potential jurors in audit client risk assessment; how intense scrutiny over financial reporting controls affects operating control outcomes; whether corporate headquarter relocations affect financial reporting quality; and consequences to tax haven countries following EU blacklisting.

Robert Bushman gave a keynote talk during dinner which highlighted that the balance sheet and income statement of the United States maybe aren’t as healthy as most would like and suggested the novel approach of economic growth to address future commitments. It’s an idea so crazy that it just might work.

The charity poker tournament provided an opportunity to interact with colleagues from across universities in a fun setting for charity. We started off with three tables of players. Continuing a trend dating back to the second annual accounting research conference, a member of Virginia Tech won the tournament, with PhD student Mailyn Fernandez taking the crown and keeping the trophy in house!

This year's conference again included the popular hike to Cascade Falls. Perhaps next year one of the papers can be presented in front of the water?  Finally, we concluded with a barbeque hosted by our own Sean Hillison.