Eric Rapley

Eric Rapley serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting at Colorado State University, where he has taught since 2016. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with twelve years of professional experience including Big 4 auditing and corporate controller roles, he instructs undergraduate courses in auditing and accounting professional skills while maintaining active research in financial statement auditing.

His academic credentials include undergraduate studies at Kansas State University followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Accounting from Oklahoma State University:

• Kansas State University (Undergraduate)
• Oklahoma State University (M.S. and Ph.D. in Accounting)

Rapley's research centers on financial statement auditing with significant extensions into taxation and financial reporting. His scholarship examines critical audit matters, regulatory impacts on auditing practices, and intersections between tax policy and financial disclosures. Recent work analyzes cannabis industry audits following legalization, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and critical audit matter disclosures.

His publication pattern reveals consistent focus on audit quality and regulatory compliance, with increasing attention to industry-specific regulatory challenges. The research demonstrates methodological diversity across archival, experimental, and case-based approaches while maintaining practical relevance for accounting professionals and regulators.

Professional recognition includes:

• Accounting Faculty Fellowship for Excellence

Though specific grant details and advisee information aren't publicly documented, Rapley's active research agenda evidenced by recent publications in top journals like Accounting Horizons and Journal of Accounting and Public Policy indicates ongoing scholarly contributions. His industry background informs both teaching and research, bridging academic theory with professional practice in the accounting field.