Summary

I am Professor of Accounting.

An enthusiastic researcher, I have a PhD and Masters' degree in Research Methods. Experienced in working independently and with an ability to meet deadlines.

My research interest in accounting and accountability encompasses differing areas, particularly corporate governance and accountability focusing on social and environmental accounting and the historical roots of environmental accounting. Equity, diversity and inclusion issues are also a focus.

I am involved in developing research in Accounting History, within Portsmouth, nationally and internationally. As Chair of the Accounting History Special Interest group (SIG) of the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA), my role involves organising conferences, workshops, meetings and the committee of this international group. Co-organised and led a series of monthly workshops in Accounting History from January 2021 to May 2021, these were so successful that the organisation of these continued into 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Co-Chair and active committee member since inception, of the interdiscipinary Heritage Hub at University of Portsmouth. Now a Centre of Excellence.

Leader of training and workshops on the committee of the Accounting Education SIG of BAFA since 2021, I have run monthly winter writing retreats, development workshops each year, and assisted with the annual conferences.

In 2023, as PI of a team of researchers from University of Portsmouth and University of York, I won funding from the AHRC & DCMS for a project Valuing Digital Cultural and Heritage Assets. This built on funding received for the Unpath'd waters,  TaNC discovery project. with Historic England in 2021.

In 2023, I received funding (as PI) from the British Academy for a project on intersectionality, in equality, diversity and inclusion on Boards of Directors and senior leadership in UK companies.

In 2020, I won funding from the Financial Reporting Council for a research project on the changes in directors remuneration after the new Corporate Governance Code 2018. This research was carried out by a team from the School of Business and Law and published in May 2021.

In 2019, I received funding from the British Council to run an emerging scholars workshop on sustainability and corporate reporting, with delegates from Russia and the UK. The workshop was successful and has resulted in research links and networking across Russia and the UK.

I am joint editor of a special edition of British Accounting Review (BAR) on 'Exploring Accounting History', with papers considering the history of accounting and its relevance to the present day. Also joint editor of a special issue of Accounting History.

A joint editor on a special issue of Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal 'Exploring the Historical Roots of Environmental and Ecological Accounting, Auditing and Accountability' and for Meditari Accounting Research Accounting as technical, social and moral practice for shaping a better world and a special issue related to Accounting and the Sustainable Development Goals

Our paper John Franklyn Venner FCA: An orthodox Chartered Accountant working in an unorthodox organisation. won Award for Excellence in 2024.

Publications in the area of Enforcement of Accounting Standards for Financial Reporting were joint work, one paper of which I was a main author, won a best paper prize from BAR journal. The work supported by a grant from the ICAEW, resulted in a monograph for the Institute with impact and changes in accounting regulation and enforcement.

In April 2024, I was convenor of the British Accounting and Finance Association's Annual Conference and Doctoral Masterclasses. Portsmouth was host to over 300 delegates and 90 PhD students.

In September 2022, I was convenor of the 11th Accounting History International Conference (11AHIC), held at Portsmouth, the first time this pretigious conference has been held in the UK, since its inception over twenty years ago.

Biography

Before becoming an academic I trained to be a chartered accountant with a medium sized firm in Southampton.  I became a tax manager and subsequently a senior audit manager at another larger firm locally.

I am a researcher and have presented papers at numerous research conferences both in the UK and overseas.

I also try to remain engaged with the accountancy profession. My research has involved interviews with senior people in the profession and this along with other research projects has helped me to keep up to date with current developments and issues.

Until REF2021, I had an impact support role for the School of Business and Law.

Research interests

My main research interests are in the broad subjects of accounting and accountability, I am enthusiastic about accounting history and accounting in history. Researching mainly in the area of corporate governance and accountability with a focus on social and environmental accounting and the historical roots of environmental accounting. 

Research interests include:

• Accounting History
• Corporate Governance
• Environmental, Ecological and Corporate Social Responsibility reporting
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Accounting, Auditing and Big Data

Teaching responsibilities

I am passionate about accounting education, and am on the committee for the Accounting Education, Special Interest Group of the British Accounting and Finance Association, with responsibility for training and workshops.

I teach Corporate Governance and Ethics, Fraud Examination and Forensic Investigations and Valuations and the Expert Report to Masters students. With Financial Accounting and International Accounting at final year of undergraduate level.

I also deliver research training sessions for students engaged in projects, dissertations and doctorates at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Regularly hosting writing retreats for the Business School, for the Accounting Education SIG of BAFA and for other associations.

Aiming to inspire curiosity and knowledge.

Media availability

I am happy to take calls and emails from the media on my research, and am aware of the need to respond in a timely manner. Please contact me directly at karen.mcbride@port.ac.uk.