Among more than 800 schools measured, the College of Business’s Department of Accounting stands in the top 10 percent worldwide for overall research breadth according to the 2020 Brigham Young University accounting research productivity rankings.
“This shows that our faculty has a wide range of knowledge within the accounting field,” department chair Lisa Kutcher said. “Our faculty are dedicated to informing practice and bringing cutting-edge research into the classroom.”
The department also ranked highly in several research categories. Namely, it was in the top 12 percent in overall research productivity and No. 8 for tax research worldwide. Accounting faculty are also the only researchers in Colorado examining Accounting Information Systems (AIS).
The BYU rankings cover a variety of research methods and accounting topics. Scores are based on the total research output of each school’s faculty in the top 12 peer-reviewed accounting journals.
Complex research with significant business impact
Topics researched by the accounting department are complex and academically rigorous with significant impacts on various levels of business. For example, faculty study the unintended consequences and benefits of new tax rules, which help businesses and individuals understand how taxes affect our society. At the micro level, faculty examine how information system design motivates employees and improves the workplace.
Another example is assistant professor Nate Nguyen’s recent work, “Accounting comparability and corporate innovative efficiency,” published by The Accounting Review. The article focuses on the usefulness of accounting comparability for improving real economic consequences in the form of research and development (R&D) investment efficiency.
“From a practical standpoint, the research shows that firms should aim to adopt the accounting practices of their industry peers to improve the efficiency of their own R&D projects,” Nguyen explained. “In doing so, firms can improve their information environment because users of financial reports may find it easier to predict the success of a firm’s R&D portfolio.”
Ultimately, the study shows that financial statement comparability is an important accounting quality firms should aim to achieve. This practice will not only benefit the firm but also the larger financial market.
Exceptional thought leaders finding real-world solutions
Accounting faculty bring their leading-edge findings into the classroom and prepare students to be contributors and leaders in business. The research the department produces shows that accounting has numerous real-world applications and that it is foundational to business practice.
“I am proud to see the accounting department in the top 10 percent in the world for research breadth. Our faculty’s continued success, especially as the number of schools measured grows, proves the caliber of their research,” College of Business Dean Beth Walker said. “Their No. 8 ranking for worldwide tax research reinforces the fact that they are exceptional thought leaders who strive to find real-world solutions and answer society’s pressing questions. The department approaches business through the economic lens and enables grounded and thoughtful decision making, enhancing business and student capacity to create a better world.”
