Nathaniel Stephens

Nate Stephens is currently serving as Dean and is a Professor of accounting in the Faculty of Business & Government. Prior to joining the faculty at BYU-Hawaii, Nate spent 13 years on the faculty of Utah State University where he served in several roles, including director of the Master of Accounting program.

He graduated in 2008 from the University of Arizona’s Ph.D. program. Prior to his doctoral studies, Nate attended BYU in Provo where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. From 1997 to 1999 he served as a full-time missionary in the Australia, Sydney North Mission where he taught the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Mandarin Chinese language.

Nate’s research focuses on the external auditor’s role in the capital markets, the market for external audit services, and corporate financial reporting quality. He has also published multiple case studies, primarily in the financial statement auditing area. His research has been published in top accounting journals including Review of Accounting Studies; Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory; Accounting Horizons; Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Finance; and Issues in Accounting Education.

Nate is married Kristie Babcock, who is an alumna of BYU-H. They have five children.

EDUCATION

The University of Arizona, Ph.D. in Management (Accounting Emphasis, Finance minor) (2008)

Brigham Young University, Master of Accountancy (2004)

Brigham Young University, Bachelor of Science, Emphasis Accounting (2003)

Weber State University, Associate of Arts (2001)

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Colorado. Currently on inactive status.

ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT

Professor, Brigham Young University – Hawaii (July 2021 – Present)

Dean of the Faculty of Business and Government (May 2022 – Present)
Professor (July 2021 – Present)

Associate Professor with tenure (awarded Full Professor effective July 1, 2021 prior to departure), Utah State University (July 2014 – June 2021)

Master of Accounting Program Director and Advisor (September 2016-June 2021)

Assistant Professor, Utah State University (July 2008 – June 2014)

Graduate Teaching Associate, The University of Arizona (August 2004 – May 2008)

Instructor, Brigham Young University – Salt Lake Center (Spring 2004)

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Bookkeeper (July 2021 – present)

Founding Member, Mindful Mobility, LLC (Jan 2020 – June 2021)

External Audit Intern, Tanner, LC (June 2009)

Accounts Receivable Clerk, Mountain Alarm (2000-2001)

TEACHING INTERESTS

Auditing

Financial Accounting

Fraud Examination

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Audit firm competition and audit quality

Audits and disclosure of internal controls over financial reporting

Role of the auditor in capital markets

Accounting Education

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

Wood, D.A., (N. M. Stephens and 325 others) et al. 2023. The ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence Chatbot: How Well Does it Answer Accounting Assessment Questions? Issues in Accounting Education, 38(4): 81-108.

Keyser, J. D, J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. 2022. An Audit Quality Inspection Scandal: Ethical Lapses in a Misguided Attempt to Alleviate Regulatory Scrutiny. Issues in Accounting Education 37(2): 109-127

Seidel, T. A., C. A. Simon, and N. M. Stephens. 2020. Management Bias in Multiple Accounting Estimates. Review of Accounting Studies 25: 1-53.

Smith, J. L., and N. M. Stephens. 2020. The Reel Wheel: Using Analytical Procedures as Substantive Tests of Account Balances. Issues in Accounting Education 35(1):1-8.

Bills, K. L., and N. M. Stephens. 2016. Spatial Competition at the Intersection of the Large and Small Audit firm Markets. Auditing, a Journal of Practice & Theory 35(1): 23-45.

Warnick, B. J., P. Rodrigo, C. O. Albrecht, and N. M. Stephens. 2014. Individual Scholar Productivity Rankings in Business Ethics Research. Innovar 24(54): 183-198.

Blau, B., T. J. Brough, J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. 2013. An Examination of Short-Selling Activity Surrounding Auditor Changes. Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance 28(4) 348-368.

Kitching, K., M. Pevzner, and N. M. Stephens. 2013. Comments by the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on the COSO request for comments on Internal Control over External Financial Reporting:

Compendium of Approaches and Examples. Current Issues in Auditing 7(1): C30-C33.

Peaden, D., and N. M. Stephens. 2013. Old Main Manufacturing: The Case of Unrecorded Sales Discounts. Issues in Accounting Education 28(1): 173-179

Shuman, F. D., C. J. Skousen, and N. M. Stephens. 2013. Initial Reaction to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Today’s CPA 40(4):23-25.

Hermanson, D. R., J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. 2012. How Effective Are Companies’ Internal Controls? Insights into Specific Internal Control Elements. Current Issues in Auditing, 6(1): A31-A50.

Pickerd, J. S., N. M. Stephens, S. L. Summers, D. A. Wood. 2011. Individual Accounting Faculty Research Rankings by Topical Area and Methodology. Issues in Accounting Education 26(3): 471-505.

Stephens, N. M., S. L. Summers, B. Williams, and D. A. Wood. 2011. Accounting Doctoral Program Rankings Based on Research Productivity of Program Graduates. Accounting Horizons, 25(1): 149-181.

Stephens, N. M. 2010. External Auditor Characteristics and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. Managerial Auditing Journal, 26(2): 114-129.

Malagueno, R., C. Albrecht, C. Ainge, and N. M. Stephens. 2010. Accounting and Corruption: A Cross-Country Analysis. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 13(4): 372-393.

Hansen, J., N. M. Stephens, and D. A. Wood. 2009. Entity-Level Controls: The Internal Auditor’s Assessment of Management Tone at the Top. Current Issues in Auditing, 3(1): 1-13.

WORKING PAPERS

Keyser, J. D, J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. 2023. Passing the Test: Ethics and Integrity in Professional Education and Exams.

Piercey, M. D., C. A. Simon, and N. M. Stephens. 2020. Are Industry Specialist Auditors Held More Liable or Less Liable for Undetected Fraud?

OTHER WORK IN PROGRESS

Erickson, D., T. Seidel, N. M. Stephens, and J. J. Talakai. Does Investor Sentiment Affect Auditor Outcomes? (Data analysis phase)

TEXTBOOK PUBLICATIONS

Stephens, Nathaniel M., and Jason L. Smith. 2018. Introduction to Auditing and Assurance Services. 3^rd edition. Textbook published by MyEducator, Inc. https://www.myeducator.com/reader/web/1402/.

Bleazard, Greg, Nathaniel M. Stephens, and Jason L. Smith. 2020. Interactive Auditing Cases. 2^nd edition. Case book published by MyEducator, Inc. https://www.myeducator.com/reader/web/350/.

Allen, Gove, Nick Ball and Nathaniel M. Stephens. 2023. Financial Accounting Practice Sets with Excel. Published by MyEducator, Inc. https://app.myeducator.com/reader/web/1918/.

PRESENTATIONS / CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

(presented either by self or by co-author)

Keyser, J. D, J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. 2023. Passing the Test: Ethics and Integrity in Professional Education and Exams. American Accounting Association Auditing section Mid-Year meeting (January 2023).

Piercey, M. D., C. A. Simon, and N. M. Stephens. 2016. Are Industry Specialist Auditors Held More Liable or Less Liable for Undetected Fraud? Accounting Behavior and Organizations (ABO) Mid-Year Meeting (October 2016).

Seidel, T.A., C. A. Simon, and N. M. Stephens. 2016. Management Bias in Multiple Accounting Estimates to Meet or Beat Analyst Expectations and the Effect of PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 14. International Symposium on Audit Research, Singapore.

Seidel, T.A., C. A. Simon, and N. M. Stephens. 2016. Management Bias in Multiple Accounting Estimates to Meet or Beat Analyst Expectations and the Effect of PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 14. American Accounting Association Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting (January 2016) breakfast roundtable discussion.

Seidel, T.A., C. A. Simon, and N. M. Stephens. 2015. Management Bias in Multiple Accounting Estimates to Meet or Beat Analyst Expectations and the Effect of PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 14. Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium (October 2015)

Bills, K. L., N. M. Stephens, and M. Willekens. Product space location as a competitive strategy in the small firm audit market. International Symposium on Audit Research (ISAR) (June 2013).

Bills, K. L., N. M. Stephens, and M. Willekens. Product space location as a differentiation strategy in the small firm audit market. American Accounting Association Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting (January 2013).

Bills, K. L., N. M. Stephens, and M. Willekens. Product space location as a differentiation strategy in the small firm audit market. Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium (September 2012).

Peaden, D., and N. M. Stephens. Old Main Manufacturing: The case of unrecorded sales discounts. American Accounting Association Western Region Meeting (April, 2011).

Grange, E. V., C. J. Skousen, N. M. Stephens, and L. M. Walther. The Role of Accounting Educators in Entrepreneurship Education: A Proposed Course Outline. American Accounting Association Western Region Meeting (April, 2011).

Stephens, N. M., S. L. Summers, B. Williams, and D. A. Wood. Accounting Doctoral Program Rankings Based on Research Productivity of Program Graduates. American Accounting Association Annual Meeting (August 2010).

Shuman, F. D., C. J. Skousen, and N. M. Stephens. Attitudes Toward the New FASB Accounting

Standards Codification. Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants Accounting Educator’s Conference (May, 2010).

Smith, J. L., K. R. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. 2010. Do Internal Control Reports Condition the

Market’s Reaction to Subsequent Financial Restatements? American Accounting Association Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting (January, 2010).

Malagueno, R., C. Albrecht, C. Ainge, and N. M. Stephens. Accounting and Corruption: A Cross-Country Analysis. Proceedings of the Mountain Plains Management Conference (October, 2009).

Hermanson, D. R., J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. Internal Control Strength and Financial Reporting Quality. Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium (October, 2009).

Smith, K. R., J. L. Smith, and N. M. Stephens. Do Internal Control Reports Condition the Market’s Reaction to Subsequent Financial Restatements? Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium (October, 2008).

Stephens, N. M. Corporate Governance Quality and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. George Mason University invited workshop, (March 2008).

Stephens, N. M. Corporate Governance Quality and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. University of Nebraska-Lincoln invited workshop, (February 2008).

Stephens, N. M. Corporate Governance Quality and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. Virginia Tech University invited workshop, (February 2008).

Stephens, N. M. Corporate Governance Quality and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium (October, 2007).

Stephens, N. M. Corporate Governance Quality and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. Utah State University invited workshop, (November 2007).

Stephens, N. M. Corporate Governance Quality and Internal Control Reporting under SOX Section 302. University of Arizona invited workshop (dissertation defense), (November 2007).

HONORS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS

Notable Contribution to the Literature | American Accounting Association AIS Section
Graduate Mentor of the Year | Utah State University School of Accountancy, 2021
Graduate Mentor of the Year | Utah State University School of Accountancy, 2018
Faculty Advisor of the Year | Utah State University School of Accountancy, 2017
Researcher of the Year | Utah State University School of Accountancy, 2016
Teacher of the Year | Utah State University School of Accountancy, 2013
Best Paper Award | Accounting Horizons, 2012
Best Paper Award | Issues in Accounting Education, 2012
Researcher of the Year | Utah State University School of Accountancy, 2011
Best Paper Award | Mountain Plains Management Conference, 2009
PwC INQuires Grant Recipient | PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2009
Deloitte Foundation Doctoral Fellow | Deloitte Foundation, 2007
AAA/Deloitte/J. Michael Cook | Lake Tahoe, California, 2006 Doctoral Consortium Fellow

ACADEMIC SERVICE

Departmental and College Service

Dean of the Faculty of Business and Government (May 2022 - Present)
Accounting case competition organizer (Winter 2022)
Faculty Search Committee (Winter 2022)
Professional Accounting Society faculty co-lead (Fall 2021 – present)
Master of Accounting (MAcc) program director and advisor (Fall 2016 – present)
School of Accounting curriculum committee chair and representative to college curriculum committee (Fall 2019-present)
Huntsman Scholars Program Faculty Mentor (Fall 2016-Fall 2017)
Executive Master of Accounting (EMAcc) program director (Spring 2015-Spring 2017)
Assurance of Learning/Embedded Assessment coordinator for AACSB (2013-2018)
Promotion and Tenure Committees (Currently serving on five committees, chairing 1)
USU Ombudsperson for P&T committee meetings (Fall 2015-present)
Huntsman School of Business strategy team (Spring 2014)
Huntsman School of Business award selection committee (Spring 2014)
Huntsman School of Business Introduction to Business course design team (2010)

Professional Organization Service

Communications Committee Chair, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2021-2022)
Communications Committee Member, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2020-2021)
2017 Co-Chair of the Auditing Section’s portion of the American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2016 Vice Chair of the Auditing Section’s portion of the American Accounting Association Annual Meeting

Journal Review Service

Ad hoc reviewer for Managerial Auditing Journal
Ad hoc reviewer for Issues in Accounting Education
Ad hoc reviewer for Journal of Asia-Pacific Business
Ad hoc reviewer for Quarterly Journal of Finance and Accounting

Conference Reviewer

2022 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2021 Hawaii Accounting Research Conference (HARC)
2020 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2016 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2014 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2013 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2012 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2012 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2011 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2010 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2010 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2009 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting

Conference Discussant

2013 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2012 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2011 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2010 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2009 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting

Conference Session Moderator

2020 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2018 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2016 American Accounting Association Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting
2012 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2011 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
2010 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting

CONFERENCES and DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS ATTENDED

2024

AAA weARE webinar, January 19, 2024
AAA weARE webinar, February 9, 2024
AAA weARE webinar, March 8, 2024

2023

AAA weARE Webinar, August 22, 2023
AAA weARE Webinar, September 8, 2023
FASB Update for Accounting Educators and Researchers, September 8, 2023
AAA weARE Webinar, September 19, 2023

2021

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Virtual via Zoom
Deloitte/FSA Faculty Consortium, Virtual via Zoom
AAA Annual Meeting, Virtual via Zoom
AAA weARE seminar, Aug. 12, 2021
ACFE SLC chapter meeting (December)

2020

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Houston
ACFE SLC chapter meeting (February and March)
CAQ Symposium (Virtual symposium in August, 2020 due to Covid-19)

2019

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Nashville
Deloitte/FSA Faculty Consortium, Dallas
AAA Annual Meeting, San Francisco
ACFE SLC chapter meeting (June and August)

2018

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Portland
AAA Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
AAA Blockchain Technology meeting, San Francisco

2017

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Orlando
AAA Annual Meeting, San Diego

2016

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Scottsdale
AAA Annual Meeting, New York City
Accounting Behavior and Organizations (ABO) Mid-Year Meeting, Albuquerque
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2015

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Miami
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2014

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, San Antonio
AAA Western Region Meeting, Salt Lake City
AAA Annual Meeting, Atlanta
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2013

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, New Orleans
International Symposium on Audit Research (ISAR), Sydney Australia
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2012

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Savannah AAA Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2011

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Albuquerque Deloitte Foundation Trueblood Seminar for Professors
AAA Western Regional Meeting, Newport Beach, CA
AAA Annual Meeting, Denver
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2010

AAA Annual Meeting, San Francisco
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2009

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, St. Petersburg
AAA Audit Educator’s Boot Camp, Chicago
AAA Annual Meeting, New York City
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2008

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting, Austin
AAA Annual Meeting, Anaheim
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2007

AAA Audit Section Mid-Year Meeting & Doctoral Consortium, Charleston
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2006

AAA Auditing Section Mid-Year Meeting & Doctoral Consortium, Los Angeles
Pac-10 plus doctoral student consortium, University of Utah
AAA 2006 doctoral consortium, Lake Tahoe
Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

2005

Brigham Young University Accounting Research Symposium, Provo

COURSES TAUGHT

Brigham Young University – Hawaii

Principles of Financial Accounting (ACCT 201)
Intermediate Financial Accounting I (ACCT 301)
Intermediate Financial Accounting II (ACCT 302)
Auditing (ACCT 365)

Utah State University

Fraud Examination (ACCT 6540)
Financial Auditing (ACCTG 6510)
Auditing Principles & Techniques (ACCTG 4510)
Financial Accounting Principles (ACCTG 2010)
Managerial Accounting Principles (ACCTG 2020)
Essential Business Tools for Entrepreneurs—Co-instructor (ACCTG 4010)

The University of Arizona

Introduction to Financial Accounting (ACCT 200)
Introduction to Managerial Accounting (ACCT 210)
Skills Assessment Workshop for business school entrance exam
Continuing Professional Education for CPA’s ethics seminar

Brigham Young University – Salt Lake Center

Principles of Accounting (ACC 210)

MEMBERSHIPS

American Accounting Association

Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association

WEBSITES

SSRN Research Page

Accounting Research Rankings Page (My research contributed to development of this ranking)

OTHER

Conversational Mandarin Chinese

CV Last Revised June 5, 2024