Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Accountancy
The George Washington University
2005

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)

International Finance
The George Washington University
1989

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A)

Accounting
Howard University
1987

Race and Gender Diversity in the Accounting Profession

Undergraduate Courses

Auditing

Advanced Accounting

Financial Statement Analysis

Principles of Accounting I & II

Cost Accounting I

Graduate Courses

Auditing

Accounting for Decision Makers

Cost Management

Advanced Cost Management

Financial & Managerial Accounting

HUSB & CETLA Course Development Grant (2022)

HUSB Summer Research Award (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021)

Surveying a Shifting Landscape

Surveying a Shifting Landscape: The Big Four and the Rising Tide of Advisory Services

Around the turn of the century, the largest public accounting firms featured fast-growing advisory services divisions. Tension within these firms, and stricter regulations in the form of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), led to divestitures and significant changes in firms’ mix of revenues. The landscape has again shifted, as advisory services have once again expanded and, in some cases, eclipsed traditional assurance work. This article illustrates these trends, describes the contemporary reaction from selected global regulators, and ponders the potential impact on the audit profession.

Skills Required to Succeed in Public Accounting

Skills Required to Succeed in Public Accounting: Perceptions of Black and White Accountants

We explore an understudied impact of race in public accounting careers: differences in perceptions of the skills necessary to succeed. Based on data collected from surveys of approximately 1,400 public accountants, we find that although the skills perceived as necessary to succeed are the same for all accountants (i.e., technical and interpersonal, practice development, social interactions, and academic achievement), practice development and social interactions are perceived as significantly more important to Black accountants. These perceptions are likely impacted by the underrepresentation of Black accountants in their firms and at their clients, which may result in fewer opportunities to acquire or improve these skills.

Do social networks improve the chance of obtaining challenging assignments?

Do social networks improve the chance of obtaining challenging assignments? Evidence from Black accounting professionals

Racial disparities in career advancement continue to be a challenge for employers and minority workers in the accounting profession. We examine how social networks may influence the likelihood of Black professionals being placed on challenging assignments, which contributes to career advancement.

Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Collaborating for Diversity

The Center for Accounting Education at Howard University partnered with public accounting firms, professional accounting associations, state CPA societies, and accounting academics to formulate recommendations to improve the advancement and retention of Black accounting professionals. This paper presents the formation, operation, and outcomes of the collaboration. It also describes the value each group gained from collaborating and provides recommendations for managing collaborations. Our descriptions are offered as a model for others to translate the results of academic research into industry action.

The impact of mentoring

The impact of mentoring: How to build on success

Stakeholders are calling on firms to improve workforce diversity. In a political and social environment where diversity in the workplace has taken on greater urgency, mentorship aids in the advancement and retention of Black accounting professionals in an accounting firm. Many employers are finding that instead of using just one type of mentor to develop people, they can use both formal and informal mentors, as well as sponsors, to promote success.

Audit fee trends from 2000 to 2014

Audit fee trends from 2000 to 2014

In the post-scandal environment of Enron, WorldCom, and the demise of Arthur Andersen, policy makers have introduced additional costs for auditors by increasing regulations and creating a new industry watchdog – the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). In this environment of constant pricing-cost tension for the auditor, the purpose of this paper is to examine audit fee trends over an extended period, 2000-2014.