INSPIRING MINDS
2018 FAC U LT Y P R OF I L E S
Denise Hanes Downey is a Villanova alumna who completed her PhD in Accounting at Bentley University. Her research focuses on the intersection of globalization and investor protection, exploring challenges associated with audits of multinational companies, offshoring of the audit function, and distributed audit teams. Dr. Downey’s work seeks to not only uncover factors that contribute to poor audit quality, but also identify solutions to mitigate the risk of a large audit failure. In addition to publications in Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, Behavioral Research in Accounting, and the Journal of Accounting Literature, Dr. Downey’s expertise gained her a senior economic research fellowship with the Public
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Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). “It is energizing to work in such a complex area, considering the nuances of our global business environment that demand the attention of leaders and regulators. I learn something new every day,” says Dr. Downey. In the classroom, Dr. Downey frames auditing from the regulatory and global context in which auditors operate, challenging students to consider how issues like foreign privacy laws affect audits and investor information. In doing so, students come to more truly appreciate the role they play in today’s capital markets. “VSB provides incredible access to the business community. Discussing the current global audit environment with regulators, auditors and students makes my research especially rewarding.”
VSB places significant value on engaging both current and future business leaders in our research.