Accounting and Financial Management Subject Group
We are a vibrant community of academics and practitioners. We contribute to global debates on the role of accounting in shaping organisations, markets, and societies to help them foster.
About our subject group
Our group comprises world-class academics and professionally qualified accountants with extensive industry experience. Their experience allows us to deliver an exceptional student experience, with integrated research-led, practice-based teaching methodologies.
Our expertise covers a wide range of topics in accounting and financial management, including:
- accounting and business history
- accounting and financial reporting
- audit and assurance
- corporate finance and financial management
- environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG)
- financial technology
- performance measurement
- sustainability accounting and reporting
- taxation
We aim to:
- innovate and shape the practices of accounting and financial management
- inspire the next generation of professionals to excel in an ever-evolving global landscape
Degree programmes
Our programmes equip students with the skills and knowledge for a successful career. They balance academic theory and real-world issues. We deliver specialist programmes at various levels, including:
- undergraduate
- postgraduate taught
- doctoral (PhD)
Our programmes are professionally accredited and offer exemptions from exam papers. This ensures our curriculum meets the highest standards and supports your career progression.
Undergraduate degrees
Our undergraduate programmes build a strong foundation in the subject.
We offer the following programmes:
We also contribute modules to the following programmes:
Postgraduate degrees
Our Master’s programmes equip learners with advanced knowledge and specialised skills so they can excel in the sector and beyond.
We offer the following programmes:
We also contribute modules to the following programmes:
PhD programme
Those who join our thriving research community as a PhD student will work alongside experts shaping the future of finance.
Our PhD programme provides opportunities to combine rigorous academic theory with impactful research. PhD candidates are an integral part of our research community. Their work covers a wide range of areas within accounting and financial management. They benefit from our academics' extensive expertise. We support them through research seminars and specialist workshops.
If you're interested in pursuing a PhD, we encourage you to look for potential supervisors from our group staff.
Research
Our academics contribute to the advancement of knowledge in accounting and finance. They regularly publish in world-leading journals. Our work covers a broad spectrum of topics, including:
- critical perspectives
- historical approaches
- market-based accounting
- corporate governance
Our experts work closely with the wider accounting and finance profession, policymakers, and international organisations.
They blend scholarly insights with industry experience. This ensures our work directly addresses the pressing challenges in a rapidly-changing financial landscape.
Through our collaborative approach, we aim to:
- nurture more ethical, transparent and innovative practices
- strengthen confidence in the accounting profession
- drive sustainable progress across the broader financial sector
Some of our recent research includes:
Exploring the link between carbon emissions and debt in eight major Asian emerging economies
Dr David Ririmasse highlights the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability in the region.
Examining how biodiversity disclosures can advance global conservation goals
Dr David Xiang is conducting UKRI-NERC-supported research, along with the IUCN and the Church of England Pensions Board. This involves integrating accounting with conservation science. His team informs regulatory and corporate strategies to preserve nature effectively.
Research collaboration and engagement
We collaborate with global organisations, and foster research collaborations. This helps us to shape the future of accounting and finance by addressing real-world challenges.
Our group has long-standing links with professional bodies and the accounting profession. Our professional engagement ensures that our programmes:
- align with professional body requirements
- reflect upcoming developments in accounting and finance
- contribute to an enriching our student experience
Academics with professional links include:
- Professor Louise Crawford - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) research panel member
- Professor Josephine McLaren - Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) Research Advisory Board member; former member of the ICAEW Academia and Education Advisory Group
- Chris Soan - Chair of the ICAEW Northern Board; former President of the Northern Society of Chartered Accountants
- Melis Besen - Awarded PhD bursary funding from Chartered Accountants Livery Charity. Her research considered the extent to which professional identity transcends organisational boundaries for chartered accountants who move from practice to industry
- Tracey Wilson - Chief Examiner for the Association of International Accountants (AIA)
Recent research collaborations include:
How women-specific health and wellbeing needs shape recruitment, progression, and retention in the accounting profession
Professor Louise Crawford collaborates with academics from the universities of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt. This project is funded by ICAS.
Exploring super-efficient sustainable cooling solutions
Professor Marwa Elnahass leads an interdisciplinary, international consortium. Their work addresses extreme heat challenges in Pakistan. It aims to reduce energy consumption and enhance environmental resilience. The project is being carried out under the UKRI’s Ayrton Challenge Programme.
Further information on our projects can be found on the Accounting and Financial Management research page.
Staff
Our academics combine extensive expertise with real-world experience. They:
- lead advancements in the discipline
- influence global practices
- equip the next generation with the skills to excel in a rapidly-evolving financial landscape
Our current subject group head is Tracey Wilson (BA (Hons), FCA, CTA, FHEA)