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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Excellence in Action: Reflecting on 2025-26
Welcome to the 2026 edition of The Badger Account! Each year, this newsletter provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors while also looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges that lie before us. The Department of Accounting and Information Systems continues to be a vital pillar of the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB), advancing its mission to develop students who lead boldly in an increasingly complex and technologydriven business environment. Our faculty continues to make important contributions through impactful research, innovative teaching, and dedicated service.
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THE BADGER ACCOUNT | 2025-2026 AIS YEAR IN REVIEW
We are proud to recognize professors Emily Griffith and Stacie Kelley on their promotions to full professor and Rob Misey for receiving “distinguished” status from the university; each is a reflection of outstanding accomplishments and leadership. Several faculty members also received university, school, and professional recognition for excellence in teaching and service, highlighting the remarkable talent and dedication of our faculty community. Our students continue to distinguish themselves through academic achievement, leadership, and professional success. This year, two recent graduates earned highly competitive postgraduate technical assistant positions with the Financial Accounting Standards Board and
Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Our doctoral program continues to thrive as students receive recognition for their research and teaching, while our undergraduate and graduate students remain actively engaged through teaching assistantships, student organizations, study abroad experiences, and outreach initiatives. This year also provided an opportunity to celebrate the strength of our alumni community. Last summer, we welcomed doctoral alumni from across the country back to Madison for our PhD Alumni Conference, held in conjunction with the Wisconsin School of Business's 125th anniversary celebration. The conference showcased the lasting impact of our doctoral program while providing an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary career and retirement of Professor Terry Warfield. We also were pleased to honor Danny Cunningham (MBA '79) as our 2025 Distinguished Accounting Alumnus, recognizing his outstanding professional accomplishments and commitment to the profession. As you read through this issue, you will see evidence of our continued efforts to strengthen the future pipeline of accounting professionals. From our growing student organizations and Discover Accounting! event to our second annual high school accounting case competition, we remain committed to helping students understand the many opportunities available through a career in accounting.
None of these accomplishments are possible without the support of our alumni, friends, and donors. Your engagement with our department, whether through mentoring students, participating in events, sharing professional expertise, or providing financial support, creates opportunities that have a lasting impact on our students and programs. For that, we are deeply grateful. We remain optimistic about the future and energized by the work taking place throughout our department. Thank you for your continued connection with the Wisconsin School of Business and the Department of Accounting and Information Systems. We hope you enjoy reading about the many accomplishments and initiatives highlighted in this year's edition of The Badger Account. Best wishes for the year ahead! Tom Linsmeier Thomas G. Ragatz Accounting and Law Distinguished Chair Richard J. Johnson Chair of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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AWARDS BANQUET
Honoring the 2025 Distinguished Accounting Alumnus, Danny Cunningham The Department of Accounting and Information Systems was pleased to honor Danny Cunningham (MBA ’79) as the 2025 Distinguished Accounting Alumnus at our annual fall awards banquet. Danny is an experienced executive who has spent over 30 years serving public audit clients. Danny was a senior partner with Arthur Andersen before continuing his outstanding career with Deloitte and Touche LLP. During his time with Deloitte, Danny held various positions including chief risk officer for their audit practice, where he was responsible for all aspects of enterprise risk management Distinguished Accounting Alumnus Danny Cunningham including litigation mitigation, portfolio addresses the audience during the Fall 2025 Department of management, contracting, and reporting Accounting and Information Systems Awards Banquet. to the Deloitte board. Danny also led the development of multimillion-dollar customized software to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Deloitte’s risk management processes. Other career highlights include working in Shanghai, China, for Deloitte Touche Tomatsu – China. In that role, Danny was responsible for assisting leadership with risk management and audit execution for the U.S. registrants headquartered in China. Upon his retirement from Deloitte, Danny continues his service as a director and chair of the Audit Committee for Enerpac and WEC Energy Group. At the banquet, Danny generously shared career insights and perspectives with the many students in attendance, encouraging them to aggressively manage their own careers, find mentors, and create a path about which they are most passionate. Great advice from a Distinguished Alumnus! We appreciate the impact that Danny has had on the accounting profession overall and his continuing engagement with the Department of Accounting and Information Systems.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS An important component of the annual awards banquet is recognizing the generosity of our donors and the impact their giving has on our programs and students. From scholarships and assistantships for students and endowed professorships for faculty, to program funding for ethics and professional development events, international experiences, and technology and data for research, all of this is made possible through the support of our donors. Kristen Fuhremann, deputy department chair of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, shared a few sentiments of thanks directly from students who benefitted from scholarship support to remind the donors in attendance the impact that their giving has on individual students. Thank you to all of our donors—we could not do it without you! 4
THE BADGER ACCOUNT | 2025-2026 AIS YEAR IN REVIEW
OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARDS Our annual awards banquet would not be complete without celebrating the academic success of our top 10 graduating seniors. This group of students completed their Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting and achieved an average cumulative GPA of 3.98! Well done! • Abigail Albrecht (BBA ’25, MS ’26) • Tanner Bence (BBA ’25) • Joshua Cao (BBA ’25, MS ’26) • Chloe Darling (BBA ’25, MS ’26) • Druw Fifrick (BBA ’24)
• Nathan Holzhauer (BBA ’25, MS ’26) • Riley Ledford (BBA ’25) • Craig Meikleham (BBA ’25, MS ’26) • Lainy Pettit (BBA ’25, MS ’26) • Nick Tiahnybik (BBA ’25)
From L to R: Professor Dan Wangerin, Chloe Darling, Riley Ledford, Abigail Albrecht, Joshua Cao, Nathan Holzhauer, Druw Fifrick, Craig Meikleham, Lainy Pettit. Not Pictured: Tanner Bence, Nick Tiahnybik.
TEACHING ASSISTANT AWARDS
Professor Dan Wangerin poses with the recipients of teaching awards for excellence in the classroom. From L to R: Jack Muirhead (BBA ’24, MS ’25), Haoning Liu (PhD ’29), and Nick Hirner (PhD ’29). (Not pictured: Trent Jarvi (BBA ’24, MS ’25)).
Graduate students are strong contributors to our department’s teaching mission, and each year we have the honor of celebrating four of these outstanding TAs. This year we recognized PhD students Haoning Liu and Nick Hirner with the Douglas Clarke Memorial Teaching Award and Trent Jarvi and Jack Muirhead with the Excellence in Teaching Award. We appreciate their commitment to such an important role.
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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PhD PROGRAM
Congratulations! After demonstrating success in both teaching and research, we bid a fond farewell to two graduating PhD students. We are proud to celebrate Dr. Jessica Nylen (PhD '26), who defended her dissertation and earned her doctorate last spring. Jessica is staying close to home, heading just down the road to the University of Wisconsin– Whitewater, where she will join the faculty as an assistant professor and pursue her passion for both teaching and research in expanded auditor reporting. Congratulations, Dr. Nylen—we can't wait to see what comes next! Dr. McKay Jones (PhD ’26) joined Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON, Canada, as an assistant professor after defending his dissertation last spring. McKay already has experienced early research success, earning Stage III funding through the Institute of Management Accountants' doctoral research support fund. McKay’s research interest focuses on exploring the world of managerial accounting using experimental techniques. McKay is excited to continue his research on informal controls and the delegation of decision rights as he moves forward with his new position.
Jessica Nylen (right) celebrates her graduation with Professors Dan Wangerin and Karla Zehms, along with her two biggest (littlest) supporters!
McKay Jones and family celebrate at the WSB Hooding Ceremony for all doctoral graduates.
WELCOME! We are excited to welcome two incoming doctoral students to our program. John Kasey Delrie graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 2019 and a Master of Accountancy in 2020. He holds both a CPA license (in the state of Texas) and a CMA license. Kasey joins the University of Wisconsin–Madison after six years of professional experience in industry accounting. His most recent work focused on joint ventures, consolidations, and asset analysis, including impairments and retirement obligations. Kasey plans to capitalize on his experience with management decision-making and collaboration in developing an experimental managerial accounting research program. Parker Reynolds is joining the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University (BYU), where he also completed the Accounting PhD prep track. During his time at BYU, Parker served as a research assistant to professors Jeff Pickerd and David Wood, contributing to ongoing projects on the use of generative AI in auditing, including co-authored work currently under journal review. His research interests center on technology adoption and AI in audit practice, with a broader interest in behavioral auditing and how emerging technologies shape auditor judgment and decision-making. Parker is excited to join the doctoral program at UW–Madison and looks forward to learning from, and working with, the incredible faculty and students.
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CELEBRATING PhD STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Deloitte Foundation Doctoral Fellowship Recipient The Deloitte Foundation has awarded a $25,000 Doctoral Fellowship to Brayden Bulloch, a fifth-year accounting PhD candidate in the Wisconsin School of Business. The Deloitte Foundation Doctoral Fellowship awards are intended to help strengthen the pipeline of accounting faculty by supporting PhD candidates who plan to pursue academic careers. For 70 years, this program has annually awarded fellowships to 10 top accounting PhD candidates across the U.S.—helping them cover expenses during their final year of coursework and subsequent year to complete their doctoral dissertation. Bulloch’s research focuses on corporate taxation and the effects of tax policy. Using large-scale archival data, his work examines how firms respond to tax incentives, constraints, and variability, with particular emphasis on how these forces shape business location decisions and the broader information environment. Bulloch is passionate about teaching taxation and helping students understand how tax systems influence real-world decision-making. Prior to his doctoral studies, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University. “I’m very grateful to the Deloitte Foundation for this support and to the selection committee for considering me,” Bulloch says. “I’m also extremely thankful for the people who have shaped my journey, including my dissertation committee—Fabio Gaertner, Dan Lynch, Stacie Kelley, and Dean Corbae—who have been tremendous mentors to me and whose example I look up to. I’m also grateful to the entire accounting department, the Wisconsin School of Business, my co-authors, and many others who have supported me through their time, resources, and friendship.”
Dongsheng Li Receives Grant and Award for Research Dongsheng Li (PhD ’26), with his advisor Professor Emily Griffith, received an Accounting Education Research Grant from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) for a project titled “Curiosity, Technology, and the CPA Pipeline: How Supervisors’ Psychological Ownership Affects Junior Auditors.” Additionally, the Accounting, Behavior, and Organizations section of the American Accounting Association awarded Dongsheng Li the Emerging Scholar Award for a project he participated in with co-authors Emily Griffith and Yuepin (Daniel) Zhou, titled “When Peers and Chatbots Disagree: How Conflicting Advice Shapes Auditor Voice.”
Nick Hirner Recognized for Outstanding Teaching Current PhD student Nick Hirner (PhD ’29) was recognized for his outstanding teaching with the 2026 Henry C. Naiman Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award at WSB’s End of Year Celebration. Although early in his teaching journey, Nick has an ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and thoughtfully while creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and participating in discussion. He has an intuitive sense of how students are processing material and adjusts his approach accordingly, making difficult concepts more accessible without sacrificing rigor. Beyond his strong classroom presence, Nick is a remarkably dedicated mentor to his students, going out of his way to support students who are struggling. Well-deserved recognition, Nick!
PhD student Nick Hirner receives an award from Joann Peck, associate dean of teaching, innovation, and assessment, and Dean Vallabh Sambamurthy.
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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PhD PROGRAM
Honoring Legacy and Scholarly Excellence:
A Look Back at the 2025 PhD Alumni Conference In August 2025, the Department of Accounting and Information Systems was delighted to welcome our doctoral graduates back to campus for the 2025 University of Wisconsin–Madison PhD Alumni Conference. The conference marked a momentous occasion as the department gathered to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin School of Business. In addition to honoring the school’s long history of academic excellence and real-world impact, the event served as a heartfelt tribute to the exceptional career of Professor Terry Warfield, who retired after an impactful 35-year career. True to the department's research-driven mission, the conference featured a robust schedule of presentations from alumni of our PhD program. The sessions provided a vibrant forum for academic collaboration, discussion, and the exchange of innovative ideas. The high caliber of scholarship on display reminded everyone in attendance why Wisconsin's PhD program remains a proud leader in shaping accounting research. The conference agenda featured outstanding presentations and insights from our accomplished alumni: Accounting Mismeasurement, Information Processing, and Stock Prices • Presenter: Assistant Professor Clay Partridge (PhD ’20), The Ohio State University • Discussant: Professor Qiang Cheng (PhD ’02), Singapore Management University Tranel Dairy Farm: Using AI for Research and Data Analytics • Presenter: Associate Professor Abbie Daly (PhD ’14), University of Wisconsin–Whitewater • Discussant: Associate Professor Helen Brown-Liburd (PhD ’03), Rutgers University The Rich Get Richer: An Examination of Tax Haven Concentration and the New 'Top 7' • Presenter: Assistant Professor Mary Vernon (PhD ’21), University of Illinois–Chicago • Discussant: Associate Professor Laura Swenson (PhD ’12), University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Harnessing Humility: The Effects of Partner Humility and Surface-Level Diversity on Auditors’ Fraud Brainstorming Outcomes • Presenter: Assistant Professor Kim Walker (PhD ’20), Virginia Tech • Discussant: Assistant Professor Julia Ariel-Rohr (PhD ’23), DePaul University
Current faculty and PhD program alumni reconnect on campus for a research workshop.
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No return to Madison is truly complete without experiencing the magic of our iconic lakes. To cap off a spectacular conference, attendees gathered for a memorable social hour and dinner reception aboard the Betty Lou on Lake Mendota. The two-day event was an inspiring reminder of both the rich history and the bright future of our doctoral program. Thank you to all our incredible PhD alumni who returned to campus to make this conference so successful!
HOSTING A VISITING SCHOLAR Sebastian Hinder from Paderborn University in Germany spent time in Madison this past year as a visiting PhD student. Sebastian’s research focuses on corporate transparency and how it is generated, processed, or promoted by key stakeholders, such as financial analysts, regulatory authorities, and the press. While visiting our campus, Sebastian participated in research seminars and workshops, while also experiencing winter in Wisconsin! Professor Dan Lynch treated current faculty and PhD students to an ice fishing adventure last winter.
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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STUDENT EXPERIENCES
UW Experience in Principles of Global Business: England Rob Misey and Stacie Kelley led a group of 11 students on an international business study abroad trip to England last summer. After a seven-week online, asynchronous course diving into the basics of global trade with an emphasis on the U.K., the class traveled to England and spent five days at Christ’s College, Cambridge. The visit featured guest lecturers, cultural activities, and two days in London for company visits and tours of famous sites.
Students enjoying the culture and sites of England.
DISCOVER ACCOUNTING!
Students gather at the annual Discover Accounting! event to network with classmates and alumni while learning about career pathways in accounting.
Last spring we hosted our annual Discover Accounting! early outreach event aimed at freshman and sophomore business students. Kristen Fuhremann (BBA ’99, MAcc ’00), deputy department chair, kicked off the event with an overview of the accounting profession and the variety of career paths available to students who major in accounting. Students then engaged in a round-robin style of informal networking with several alumni with diverse professional experiences. Following this, students heard about different coursework options in the MS in Accounting and Business Analysis program from Katharine Widlak (BBA ’10, MAcc ’11), the program director. The session wrapped up with an hour of additional networking.
We are so thankful to our alumni, professional partners, and donors who make events like this a possibility, and we are confident that students left the room with a better understanding of what a career with a foundation in accounting can look like.
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GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS Graduate teaching assistants (TAs) are significant contributors to the teaching mission of our department. TAs from our MS in Accounting and Business Analysis (MSABA) graduate program primarily teach our introductory financial and managerial accounting courses, where they lead twice-weekly classroom sessions with students enrolled in these courses. Graduate TAs serve as great role models for undergraduate students as they consider academic and career pathways. It is quite common for TA office hours to turn into much broader mentoring sessions with their students. It is without question that many of our undergraduate accounting majors were inspired to join the major by their TAs. The benefits of serving as a teaching assistant extend beyond the undergraduate students they instruct; the TAs themselves reap immense personal and professional rewards. Entrusted with significant classroom responsibilities, TAs considerably sharpen their public speaking, presentation, and overall communication skills. Their technical proficiency receives an equal boost, as instructing others forces them to truly master and internalize complex accounting concepts. Furthermore, balancing a rigorous teaching schedule alongside their own graduate studies drives growth in time management and organizational skills. One of the most impactful outcomes for our TAs is the growth in their overall professionalism. TAs must navigate diverse classroom dynamics and effectively interact with a wide range of personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are thankful for all our TAs and their contribution to our undergraduate program.
Several TAs from Introductory Financial Accounting celebrated their graduation from the MSABA graduate program.
TAs from the Introductory Managerial Accounting class brought some cheer to the first exam by wearing T-shirts that read, “Halloween! I’m an accountant, I’m scary all year!”. WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Student Groups We are proud of the growth and success of our accounting-focused organizations and the students who lead them. Student organizations allow students to pursue passions, explore career options, build new friendships, develop leadership skills, and serve others.
Beta Alpha Psi The 2025-26 academic year was a big one for Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) with significant growth in membership and expanded engagement across WSB, all while delivering on the core benefits of the organization. BAP began the Fall 2025 semester with just nine members. After student leadership introduced a new “young professionals” membership category for underclassmen, enrollment grew to 33 by the end of the fall semester and exceeded 70 members in the spring term. To continue that momentum and leverage opportunities for engagement, BAP and the student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) announced their plan to join forces and unify as one student organization. Student members of IMA will formally join BAP, further increasing membership of BAP and strengthening the accounting community on campus. We are proud of our student leaders for taking this opportunity to evolve, innovate, and provide the best experience for accounting students at WSB—and to have some fun too! Over the past academic year, the chapter hosted weekly professional meetings with several employers, including Vrakas CPAs, PwC, RSM, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Plante Moran, Wegner CPAs, and Wipfli. It also partnered with other student organizations to host a blood drive and two events where members could get a professional headshot. Finally, BAP members participated in two career treks: one to Chicago (visiting EY, KPMG, and PwC) and another to Milwaukee (visiting Deloitte and EY, followed by a Milwaukee Brewers game).
BAP members enjoy a fun social outing to a Brewers game after a trek to Milwaukee to visit several employers.
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BAP members at a professional meeting on campus.
Women in Finance and Accounting The Women in Finance and Accounting (WIFA) student group had another successful year with 73 active members (a 66% increase from the prior spring!), signifying strong growth and continued engagement of their members. During the Fall 2025 semester, the group hosted its largest networking event of the year—the annual Women in the Workplace dinner. Interest was at an all-time high, and the space was filled to capacity! Beyond its annual dinner, WIFA offered a variety of opportunities for its members to engage and network, tallying over 50 events over the last academic year! Events addressed professional, social, and intellectual development, as well as community outreach and inclusion.
WIFA members pose for a picture during a stop on their career trek to Chicago.
STUDENTS AWARDED HIGHLY COVETED POST-GRADUATE INTERNSHIPS Two recent graduates from the MS in Accounting and Business Analysis program were awarded highly competitive post-graduate technical assistant (PTA) internships with the Governmental and Financial Accounting Standards Boards.
Maya Biskowitz
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are the bodies responsible for establishing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States. Maya Biskowitz was awarded a PTA internship with the GASB while Chloe Darling was awarded a PTA internship with the FASB. The GASB/FASB PTA program provides highly motivated individuals with an opportunity to play an active role in the standard-setting process. This prestigious year-long program allows recent accounting program graduates to gain an in-depth understanding of the roles played by preparers, auditors, and users of financial reporting information by immersing PTAs directly into the standard-setting process. We are thrilled to have such a strong Badger presence in these impactful roles and wish Maya and Chloe all the best in their new ventures!
Chloe Darling
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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STUDENT EXPERIENCES
2ND ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL ACCOUNTING CASE COMPETITION
The high school students who traveled to Madison to participate in the case competition, all wearing their new, highly coveted bucket hats!
Last April, the Department of Accounting and Information Systems welcomed 27 high school teams from across the state of Wisconsin for our second annual high school accounting case competition. Held at the Fluno Center, the event introduced approximately 120 students to many exciting accounting career opportunities. The competition focused on managerial accounting. Students were given both quantitative financial data and qualitative factors for a fictitious theme park called Badger Park. Their challenge was to analyze this information and make recommendations on key strategic business decisions while using clear, data-backed rationale. Each team shared their recommendations with a panel of judges. Congratulations to Mosinee High School for taking first place! Beyond the competition, students attended morning breakout sessions to learn more about accounting and its opportunities. One session focused on public accounting, two sessions focused on forensic accounting with the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigations Unit, and another session focused on what to expect in a student’s first college-level accounting course. In the afternoon, students played a lively Kahoot! Accounting Challenge and learned more about the accounting program at UW–Madison. It was fun to experience the energy and excitement of the high schoolers throughout the day. For many students, this was their first time stepping foot on our campus. With the support of our faculty and the broader accounting community, this event served as an effective recruitment and outreach effort, strengthening the pipeline of future accounting professionals. The winning team from Mosinee High School.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Ousmane Kabré Receives the Inaugural WSB BOLD Award The WSB BOLD Award recognizes Badgers of the last decade (BOLD) who have achieved outstanding and significant professional accomplishments in their chosen field since graduation. Business Badgers who received their undergraduate or graduate degrees within the last 10 years are eligible for this award. Ousmane Kabré (BBA ’15, MAcc ’16), a native of Burkina Faso, was recognized for his vision and efforts to transform lives through education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. As an accounting student at the Wisconsin School of Business, he founded Leading Change Africa, a nonprofit dedicated to changing lives in Africa through education, literacy, mentorship, and job opportunities. Since launching the initiative, over 1,600 scholars have enrolled in Leading Change programs throughout Africa and the U.S. Ousmane also founded Yam Education in 2021, an edtech company providing access to associate degrees, diplomas, and certifications through partnerships with U.S. community colleges. He serves as CEO for both Leading Change Africa and Yam Education and is the founder and CEO of enterprise software company Intro Group. Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Ousmane also has held accounting positions at American Family Insurance and EY. “Ousmane is one of the most determined and driven individuals I have ever met with a seemingly endless supply of energy, positivity, and persistence,” says Kristen Fuhremann (BBA ’99, MAcc ’00), deputy chair of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at WSB. “He leads with heart and vision, setting aspirational goals for himself and his companies and then systematically putting the pieces in place to achieve those goals—all with a focus on empowering others through access to education. His entrepreneurial spirit is matched only by his deep commitment to giving back, and I have never met anybody so selfless with their time and resources.” In addition to his professional experiences and academic accolades, he is also an in-demand speaker, course instructor, and author of the book Underwriting Dreams: A Journey of Leadership and Hope. “I cannot think of a more deserving alum for the inaugural BOLD award,” adds Fuhremann. “His success is no accident; it is the result of relentless effort, thoughtful mentorship, and an unwavering desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.” WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Celebrating Faculty Achievements Joanna Wangerin In recognition of her extraordinary commitment to WSB and the broader university, Joanna Wangerin received WSB’s Kaylene Christnovich Distinguished Leadership Award. Joanna consistently contributes in service roles that extend well beyond the traditional scope of her role as a senior lecturer. Joanna recently completed a three-year term on the university’s Curriculum Committee and was invited back for a second term—testament to her expertise in curriculum development, which she brings back to WSB, serving also on our undergraduate curriculum committee. At the request of the interim provost, Joanna also served on the ad hoc committee charged with making recommendations on how to implement new Core General Education Requirements across the university. Joanna sits on WSB’s Undergraduate Student Review Committee, providing a vital instructor’s perspective for students facing academic hardship. She also volunteers her time for studentfacing events. Joanna’s commitment to her students, WSB, and the university overall is well-deserving of this recognition.
Dean Samba presents Joanna Wangerin with the Kaylene Christnovich Distinguished Leadership Award.
Brett Killion Brett Killion, CPA, was the recipient of the 2026 Accounting Educator Award, an honor presented annually by the WICPA to recognize excellence in teaching. The award highlights Brett’s use of innovative teaching techniques to engage and motivate students in his courses. He is recognized by students for his ability to break down intricate accounting principles into relatable, engaging concepts, using an enthusiastic approach that makes the subject matter come alive. Congratulations, Brett!
Brett Killion accepting the WICPA’s 2026 Accounting Educator Award from Tammy Hofstede (left), WICPA president and CEO, and Stacy Stinson (right), WICPA past chair.
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Emily Griffith Emily Griffith was promoted to the rank of full professor in accounting starting this fall. Emily has been a valued member of the UW–Madison faculty since 2014, earning a reputation for research that tackles some of the most complex and rapidly evolving challenges in auditing. Emily’s work explores how auditors make high-stakes judgments, collaborate effectively, and adapt to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence—topics that shape the future of financial reporting. Her award-winning research has influenced national policy and is published in leading journals. In the classroom, Emily is equally impactful, teaching courses in auditing for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. Emily’s favorite part of her role as an educator is mentoring the next generation of business leaders and scholars. Beyond campus, she actively engages with the accounting profession through advisory roles, editorial leadership, and outreach.
Stacie Kelley Stacie Kelley was promoted to the rank of full professor this fall in recognition of her outstanding research, teaching, and service. Stacie’s primary research interests relate to how tax and financial statement information affect capital markets, and how taxes affect business decisions. She has published extensively in several top-tier journals, including Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, Contemporary Accounting Research, and Management Science. She currently serves on the editorial board of Contemporary Accounting Research. Stacie chairs the Finance Committee for the Department of Accounting and Information Systems and teaches courses on corporate taxation. She also helped Professor Misey kick off a new summer program in Cambridge, U.K. Stacie recently completed a term serving as president of the American Taxation Association.
Rob Misey Teaching Professor Rob Misey added the “distinguished” status to his title! Each year, the university accepts nominations for academic staff members who perform at a level of proficiency requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. Academic staff members at this level are commonly recognized by their peers and have a reputation which extends beyond their work unit. The “distinguished” title appropriately captures Rob’s contributions to WSB, the university, and the legal and accounting professions overall. Congrats, Rob!
Willie Choi Professor Willie Choi received WSB’s Gaumnitz Distinguished Faculty Award for Service in recognition of his extensive service to WSB, the university, and the profession overall. Since joining the faculty, Willie has been involved in an extraordinary amount of service activities that go well beyond what is expected of a tenured associate professor. Willie’s contributions include a four-year term on the university’s Budget Committee (serving as chair in his final year) coinciding with two state budget cycles, a transition in university finance leadership, and a global pandemic! Beyond his service on the Budget Committee, Willie also served on the university’s Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee and WSB’s Academic Planning Council. Such service to shared governance of our university is unique and quite impactful. Willie also contributes extensively to curriculum enhancement within the accounting major and advancing the research mission of the university through his active roles in faculty recruiting and PhD student advising.
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Russell Epp Senior Lecturer Russell Epp was recognized this year with the Wisconsin School of Business’s Gaumnitz Excellence in Instruction with AI Award for his innovative integration of artificial intelligence into accounting education. In both the undergraduate Accounting Information Systems course and the graduate Information Risk, Control, and Forensics course, Russell incorporated live AI demonstrations and hands-on activities designed to connect emerging technologies to real-world accounting and business applications. Students explored topics such as AI-assisted fraud detection, SOC report Russell Epp accepts his award from Joann Peck, associate dean of analysis, data analytics, workflow automation, teaching, innovation and assessment, and Dean Vallabh Sambamurthy. and collaborative AI tools while also evaluating the limitations of AI outputs and the importance of professional judgment. Through activities involving custom GPT development, AIdriven forensic analysis, and comparisons between traditional analytics software and AI tools, Russell emphasized not only how AI can improve efficiency, but also how future professionals must critically evaluate and effectively apply these technologies in practice
Matt Griffith Senior Lecturer Matt Griffith was recognized this year with WSB’s Mabel W. Chipman Outstanding Academic Staff Teaching Award. Matt primarily engages with students at two impactful times during their education at WSB. Matt delivers the second intermediate financial accounting course, which is the first course where students are truly getting into accounting major-specific curriculum. Matt also teaches Accounting and Analysis for Reporting Entities, which is a required course in our MS in Accounting and Business Analysis program. Matt has the unique opportunity to both launch these students into their major and see the culmination of their hard work as they complete a graduate program. Given these interactions, Matt develops strong relationships with many students during office hours devoted equally to content questions and mentoring/advising. Matt uses innovative teaching strategies to best motivate his students while also cultivating an inclusive and interactive classroom. His ability to keep students engaged is unmatched. Matt weaves in real-world, relatable examples to his teaching to demonstrate the relevance of technical accounting topics. Matt continues to evolve his curriculum, taking part in a course redesign of Accounting and Analysis for Reporting Entities that culminated with extensive use of technology in classroom activities and group-based research case assignments.
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Matt Griffith accepts his award from Joann Peck, associate dean of teaching, innovation, and assessment, and Dean Vallabh Sambamurthy.
THE BADGER ACCOUNT | 2025-2026 AIS YEAR IN REVIEW
Remembering Larry Rittenberg It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Larry Rittenberg, who died last December. Professor Rittenberg leaves behind a profound legacy of academic excellence, professional integrity, and deep devotion to his family, students, and colleagues. We will remember the depth and breadth of his knowledge, coupled with a commitment to encouraging students’ curiosity, critical thinking, and professionalism. Larry’s professional life was driven by the complementary goals of advancing the accounting profession while mentoring and inspiring generations of scholars. His impact on our academic community and on the profession will be felt for years to come. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
FAREWELL, 3-WEEK CLASS Professional Practice Issues in Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation—or more affectionately referred to as the “three-week class”—wrapped up its final run last spring. A steadfast experience for many students who pursued the integrated Master of Accountancy program and completed a spring internship, the course will be remembered as an excellent bridge to graduate school that packed in professional and technical development, critical thinking, exposure to thought leaders, and camaraderie among classmates. Many factors led to the course no longer being a viable part of our undergraduate curriculum, but we aim to replace some of the primary learning outcomes of the course with a new graduate orientation session. Starting this fall, all incoming graduate students will engage in a several-day orientation session that covers topics on ethics and professionalism, group dynamics, and critical thinking. There will, of course, be many activities designed to grow camaraderie among classmates and provide exposure to the graduate faculty teaching in our MS programs. We are excited for this evolution to our programming.
WELCOME, SAM HAUSE Sam Hause (BBA '17, MAcc '18) joins the department as a lecturer this fall. Sam received his BBA and MAcc from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a certified public accountant licensed in Washington state and Colorado. Sam began his career at Deloitte & Touche, LLP, working in Seattle and Denver in progressively senior audit roles. He primarily served midsized public and private companies in a variety of industries including financial services, depository and lending, aerospace and defense, and software. After four years in public accounting, he joined Ursa Major Technologies, Inc., a high-growth, hard-tech aerospace and defense company in the Denver area, serving as the senior technical and financial reporting accountant for one year, then the manager of financial reporting for three years. While at Ursa Major, Sam has gained direct experience preparing and reviewing quarterly and annual financial statements, as well as implementing new technical accounting standards. Sam will be teaching Intermediate Accounting!
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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DEPARTMENT UPDATES
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS, GRANTS, AND RECOGNITION Emily Griffith Publication: Griffith, E., Li, D., Zhou, Y. “Psychological Safety, AI-Enabled Anonymous Communication, and Speaking Up in Audit Teams.” Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory (2025)
Tom Linsmeier Publication: Linsmeier, T., Partridge, C., Shakespeare, C. "Common Equity Investors’ Assessments of the Dilution and Solvency Effects of Preferred Stock Instruments.” Journal of Business, Finance and Accounting (2026)
Christian Peters Christian Peters was appointed to serve on the editorial board of Accounting Open, a newly launched academic accounting journal. He also received a research grant from the Foundation for Auditing Research for the project “Enhancing Auditors’ Judgment and Decision-Making in the Age of Automation: A Learning Perspective.” Publications: Dierynck, B., Jacob, M., Müller, M.A., Peters, C.P.H., van Pelt, V. “Public Tax Disclosures and Investor Perceptions.” Contemporary Accounting Research (2026) Dierynck, B., Peters, C.P.H. “Auditor Task Prioritization.” Contemporary Accounting Research (2026) Dierynck, B., Marangoni, C., Peters, C.P.H., Weijers, L. “The Expectations-Reality Gap in Auditing: A Comparison of Student Expectations and Auditor Experiences.” Accounting Horizons (2026) John J. Wild John was reappointed to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy. Publications: Wild, J.J. "Financial Accounting: Information for Decisions." McGraw Hill (2026) Wild, J.J. "Managerial Accounting." McGraw Hill (2026)
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THE BADGER ACCOUNT | 2025-2026 AIS YEAR IN REVIEW
Willie Choi Willie has agreed to serve on the editorial board of the new academic accounting journal Accounting Open, continues to serve on the editorial board of Contemporary Accounting Research, and just completed a three-year term as an editor at The Accounting Review. The latter two are premier academic accounting journals. Willie is chair-elect of the American Accounting Association Council. The council works closely with the Board of Directors in the governance of the American Accounting Association. Willie will serve as council chair during the 2027-28 academic year (and simultaneously serve on the American Accounting Association Board of Directors), and then serve as past council chair during the 2028-29 academic year. Publication: Choi, J., Clark, J., Presslee, A. “Designing Effort-Intensive Tasks: Conceptual Guidance and 3 Practical Illustrations Examining Incentive Pay.” Journal of Management Accounting Research (2026) Research Grants: Willie received a research grant from the Institute of Management Accountants Research Foundation for a research project with collaborator Frank Ma, who is a faculty member at the University of Auckland. Willie also received the Best Reviewer Award at the American Accounting Association’s Management Accounting Section Midyear Meeting. Dain Donelson Dain became a full-time editor this year at Contemporary Accounting Research (CAR) for an initial three-year term. Publications: Donelson, D.C., Hutzler, C.M., Rhodes, A. “Does Antitrust Enforcement Against Interlocking Directorates Impair Corporate Governance?” Journal of Accounting and Economics (2025) Ashraf, M., Donelson, D.C., McInnis, J.M., Mergenthaler, R.D. “Do Fair Value Accounting Standards Affect Litigation Risk?” Journal of Accounting and Economics (2025) Fabio Gaertner Publications: Gaertner, F., Glover, B., Levine, O. “A Re-Examination of Firm Size and Taxes.” Management Science (forthcoming, 2026 ) Gaertner, F., Hoopes, J., Kelley, J., Pflitsch, M. “Investor Perceptions of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax.” Management Science (2025) Gaertner, F., Hoopes, J. “A Price-Based Primer on Carbon Taxation.” Accounting Horizons (2026)
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Dan Lynch Publications: Lynch, D., Pflitsch, M., Stich, M.W. “Earnings Management Around the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.” Review of Accounting Studies (2026) Lynch, D., Mandell, A., Rousseau, L. “The Consequences of Expanded Audit Reporting: Implications of Tax Key Audit Matters for Tax Attribute Valuations and Auditor-Provided Tax Services.” Review of Accounting Studies (2025) King, Z., Lynch, D., Stomberg, B., Utke, S. “Does Financial Reporting for Income Tax Expense Affect Financial Reporting Quality? Evidence from the Timeliness of Goodwill Impairments.” Journal of Financial Reporting (2025) Christensen, D., Lynch, D., Partridge, C. “Improvements in Investment Efficiency Prior to a Mandated Accounting Change: Evidence From ASC 842.” Contemporary Accounting Research (2025) Karla Zehms Publication: Rousseau, L.M., Griffith, E.E., Zehms, K.M. “Why Do Critical Audit Matters Lack Teeth? Insights From Auditors’ Implementation Experiences.” Review of Accounting Studies (forthcoming, 2026)
Rob Misey The American Bar Association has appointed Robert Misey the chair of the Ethics Committee for its International Section. The Ethics Committee is the largest committee in the International Section, which is one of the oldest sections of the American Bar Association.
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undergraduate accounting program (U.S. News & World Report, 2025-26)
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THE BADGER ACCOUNT | 2025-2026 AIS YEAR IN REVIEW
ADVISORY BOARD
FAREWELL Last year saw the end of service for four of our long-serving board members. We so appreciate the contributions from these alumni during their tenure on our board.
Derek Matzke (BBA ’01, MAcc ’02)
Amy Mutziger (BBA ’02, MAcc ’03)
Sarah A. Nemke (BBA ’00, MAcc ’01)
Brad M. Zastoupil (BBA ’04, MAcc ’05)
WELCOME We are excited to welcome several new members to our advisory board! Joining us last fall, this group brought a variety of insights that reflect the broad nature of their professional experiences. We are grateful for their time and engagement and look forward to their future tenure on our board.
Rob Perry
Alex Esuoso (BBA ’17)
Mary Vernon (PhD ’21)
Stephanie de Groot (BBA ’02, MAcc ’03)
Josh Usem (BBA ’13, MAcc ’14)
Chris Bouda (BBA ’99)
2025-26 Department of Accounting and Information Systems
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Chris Bouda V.P. Chief Accounting Officer Danaher Corporation
Andy Kamphuis Shareholder Vrakas CPAs
Rob Perry Audit and Assurance Partner Deloitte
Jonathan Conduah Senior Associate Adams Street Partners
Amy Mutziger Vice President, Global Controller Johnson Controls
Leah Schmid Partner/Private Wealth Manager Creative Planning
Stephanie de Groot Wisconsin Assurance Practice Leader BDO
Sarah Nemke Sr. Director, Global Supply Chain Finance SC Johnson
Laura Shiffman FAAS Partner EY
Alex Esuoso Manager – M&A Strategy KPMG
Jason Parsons Audit Partner KPMG
Andrea Jansen Assurance Principal Baker Tilly
Taylor Paul Director of Financial Accounting, Aeronautics Lockheed Martin Corporation
Josh Usem Director PwC Mary Vernon Assistant Professor University of Illinois Chicago
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | UW–MADISON
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975 University Avenue Madison, WI 53706
THE
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ACCOUNT STAY IN TOUCH TOM LINSMEIER
KRISTEN FUHREMANN
Department Chair, Accounting and Information Systems Richard J. Johnson Chair of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems Thomas G. Ragatz Accounting and Law Distinguished Chair thomas.linsmeier@wisc.edu (608) 265-2985
Deputy Department Chair, Accounting and Information Systems kristen.fuhremann@wisc.edu (608) 262-0316