When the Fighting Irish football team traveled from Indiana to Arkansas to battle the Razorbacks on the gridiron at the University of Arkansas on September 27, several accounting professors followed suit. While they intended on cheering on their football team, their true purpose was to present accounting research, collaborate with other faculty members and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow academics.
Hosted by the William Dillard Department of Accounting at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, associate professors Jessica Watkins from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, John Donovan also from Mendoza College, and Michael Iselin from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota presented their findings from recent research papers.
“Hosting outside faculty for research workshops creates an opportunity for genuine scholarly exchange,” said Jonathan Shipman, Walton College professor and accounting department chair. “It brings in fresh perspectives that challenge us to think differently, and it opens doors to collaboration across institutions. The conversations that happen in these settings strengthen our department’s research culture and reinforce the shared sense of community that drives impactful scholarship.”
All Notre Dame alumni, the three researchers presented accounting research to an energetic audience of 20 Walton College accounting faculty members and Ph.D. students.
“The overarching theme from the weekend is that accounting rules and regulations shape the debt market. One of the things that’s great about bringing together researchers from different universities is that we get exposure to research being done in different areas of accounting” said Caleb Rawson, associate professor at Walton College. “It strengthens our own research while also pushing their research further along and closer to publication.”
Jessica Watkins kicked off the presentation by sharing the quantified economic impact of local tragedies have on the local community by studying the municipal bond market. Up next, Michael Iselin examined the HTM (Held To Maturity) classifications in banking and questioned if standards need to change. The final presenter, John Donovan, discussed LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) transitioning to SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate), asking how loan pricing uncertainty affects debt contract design.
During the presentations, Walton College faculty asked in-depth questions regarding the topics, tone, mechanisms, methodology and measurements. All presenters were inundated with comments and questions, giving them opportunities to fine tune their findings and provide clarity.
Presenters will revise and edit their papers before final submissions to professional journals. The collegial exchange at the workshop was lively and thought provoking. It gave all 20 participants a chance to network, collaborate and refine their work. It was a blend of camaraderie, professional development and sharing of ideas.
The research trio were treated to a dinner with faculty members on Friday. They capped off the weekend with a football game before heading back home.
