Bob Allen (Ph.D. Accounting ’91), president of the American Accounting Association
The world’s largest association of accounting and business educators, researchers and practitioners will be led by a Broad Spartan. Bob Allen (Ph.D. Accounting ’91), who has been an active member of the American Accounting Association for nearly 30 years, is eager to become its next president.
“Being a member of AAA has provided me with significant opportunities that have enhanced my career,” Allen said. “I look forward to helping AAA members have similar meaningful experiences that will help them move forward as thought leaders in the accounting profession.”
Since attending his first meeting in the early 1990s while studying at MSU, Allen has been deeply involved with AAA, serving on various committees and task forces throughout his career. He will now be transitioning to the three-year presidential term from his role as a member of the AAA Publication Committee.
Allen has spent his career as a devoted professor and David Eccles Faculty Scholar at The University of Utah. He has received many academic awards for excellence in both research and teaching, including the AAA/J. Michael and Mary Anne Cook/Deloitte Foundation Prize in 2018 and the AAA/Deloitte Foundation Wildman Medal Award in 2008.
Reflecting on his time at MSU, Allen recognized the role that the Broad College has played in his career. “As a Spartan, I had many great faculty role models,” he explained. “Some that come to mind are Al Arens, Sue Haka, Bill McCarthy, Ed Outslay and Dewey Ward. During my time at MSU, they put great effort into helping all of the Ph.D. students prepare to make the transition from student to faculty member.”
Allen said that his role models’ accomplishments set the tone for his own career and what he wanted to achieve. “For example, both Al Arens and Sue Haka did an amazing job while serving as AAA presidents,” he said. “Dewey served as president of the AAA Auditing Section — the AAA section where I’ve enjoyed some of my most meaningful AAA opportunities.
“Other memories of my time at MSU are playing on the Faculty/Ph.D. student basketball team with Bill, Ed, Matt Andersen and Cliff Haka,” Allen continued. “I remember the faculty treating us as colleagues by inviting us to various departmental and other social gatherings.”
Allen crossed paths with Dean Sanjay Gupta as they were both students in the Broad College’s accounting doctoral program. Gupta shared his excitement for seeing Allen’s achievement. “As a graduate of Michigan State, Bob will bring the legendary Spartan commitment and dedication to the accounting academy and profession that has been the hallmark of our accounting faculty in the Broad College for decades,” he said. “Bob is an outstanding educator, and I believe the AAA will be well served by his leadership as we continue on our journey to define the future of the accounting profession.”
As Allen steps into his new role, he looks back on his memories at MSU as formative and meaningful to his journey. “I’m grateful to the many faculty members who made my experience so impactful and enjoyable,” he said. “I’m proud to be a Spartan.”
