CPA, Ph.D.

• Position: Finalentry - Interview

This issue we peek into the accounting academic world by getting to know Ed deHaan, CalCPA's doctoral scholarship recipient. DeHaan, a CPA, recently completed his doctorate in accounting at the University of Washington and is an assistant professor at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Before returning to school for his doctorate, deHaan worked in public accounting with KMIG LLP and was also an adjunct faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Why did you decide to get into accounting?

I graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2001, just when Silicon Valley vas falling apart. Accounting firms were the only ones hiring, so I took a few extra courses and joined KPMG in 2002. It was a fantastic and I've been working in accounting ever since.

Any notable mentors you have had in your life?

Bob Shepherd, my undergraduate accounting professor, played the largest part in getting me where I am today. I never would have taken more than the required introductory accounting course if it weren't for his engaging teaching style. Bob help me get my first accounting job and my first teaching job at UC Santa Cruz. I have known him for nearly 15 years and consider him a great friend. At KPMG I had several good mentors and learned from everyone I worked with. Of course, I wouldn't have a doctorate if it weren't for the training of many fantastic professors at the University of Washington. The university's accounting doctoral program is one of the best in the country, in large part because the faculty take a genuine it arrest, in the growth and development or the students.

What was involved in making your decision to go on for your doctorate and teach?

I've always enjoyed research teaching, so it doctorate was always in the back of my mind. It wasn't easy to leave a good job (and paycheck) to return to school, but the timing just seemed right.

What are some common misconceptions about what accounting doctorates do?

Research is a big part of the job of an accounting professor, and it's the nature of our research that most often surprises people. Many of my former work colleagues assume I'm studying the pros and cons of specific accounting rules, but that isn't the MSC. Accounting research covers everything from psychology to finance to mathematical modeling. My research primarily uses large datasets to examine how accounting information impacts stock prices. One or my office neighbors does experiments to study the psychology of...