Faculty

Amanda

Carlson

Academic Title

Assistant Professor, Accounting

Research Interests
  • Audit innovation/technology and analytics
  • Revenue recognition auditing
  • ESG (environmental, social, and governance) reporting and auditing
  • Experimental and qualitative methods
Research Summary

My research focuses on auditor judgment and decision-making related to revenue recognition, audit innovation such as data analytics, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance).

Education
  • PhD, Accounting, Psychology Minor, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • MS, Accounting, High Distinction, Bentley University
  • MBA, Accounting, High Distinction, Bentley University
  • AB, History and Literature, magna cum laude, Harvard College
Areas of Expertise
  • Complex revenue recognition and technology-related accounting issues
  • Financial and ESG reporting for public companies and nonprofits
  • Nonprofit accounting issues including endowment, gifts, and bond financing
  • Accounting and audit innovation, generative AI, and analytics
  • Financial systems selection and implementation
Recent Publications
  • Barr-Pulliam, D., H. Brown-Liburd, and A. G. Carlson. 2023. Practitioner Summary: Do Audit Data Analytics Influence Juror Perceptions of Audit Quality and Auditor Negligence?. Current Issues in Auditing 17 (2): P1-P10.
  • Burnaby, P. A., and A. G. Carlson. 2017. Performance Measurement Systems to Evaluate Internal Audit Activities. Internal Auditing 32 (1): 15-30.
Honors and Awards
  • Douglas Clarke Memorial Teaching Award, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • University of Wisconsin Campus-Wide Teaching Innovation Award
  • Multiple Wisconsin School of Business Distinguished Teaching Awards
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Accounting Doctoral Scholar Fellowship
  • Esther R. Sawyer Research Award from The Institute of Internal Auditors for “Internal Auditor, Advocate for Thyself: Professional Advocacy Recommendations for Internal
    Auditing”
  • Harvard Hero Award for training course development and teaching
Teaching

I teach the undergraduate Audit, Accounting Information Systems (AIS), and Accounting for Business courses and graduate AIS and Contemporary Accounting Topics courses.

Professional Experience

I worked as an auditor and CPA in the Boston area for 22 years prior to pursuing a second career in academia. My roles included Audit Manager at PwC focusing on technology, manufacturing, and nonprofit clients, Business Manager at the Education Development Center in their ATLAS Communities division, Senior Manager of Accounting Policy at Harvard University, and Controller and Director of Finance for New England Conservatory of Music. I have also been a consultant to the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and have served on several nonprofit boards and their investment/audit committees, including an investment committee chair role. I have also worked as an expert witness and as a consultant to area businesses.

 

Licenses and Certifications
  • Certified Public Accountant (Massachusetts)