Helen Foster

Helen Foster is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting at Ulster University within the Ulster University Business School and Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics. She serves as Course Director for the BSc (Hons) Accounting program and actively promotes student employability through industry-aligned curriculum development.

Her academic qualifications include a BA (Hons) Accounting (First Class) from Ulster University, an MPA with distinction, and a PhD awarded in 2020. Professional credentials feature Fellowship of Chartered Accountants Ireland and membership in the CAI Ulster Society Public Sector Group.

Research centers on public sector accountability mechanisms, particularly examining Devolved Public Accounts Committees across UK administrations. Her scholarship analyzes accountability frameworks in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland through comparative political studies, while complementary work investigates accounting education efficacy. Methodologically, she employs Q-methodology and survey analysis to assess committee effectiveness and work placement impacts on student outcomes.

Publications consistently address accountability in devolved UK governance, with recent works focusing on parliamentary oversight structures and educational interventions. Her research bridges academic theory and practical policy applications, including government advisory roles.

Award recognitions include:

• Distinguished Teaching Award (2014) as team member
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

As Course Director, Foster mentors accounting students while serving as Published Accounts Award judge for the Irish Stock Exchange. She contributes to professional accounting bodies through examining roles and advises government on public accountability matters. Her work integrates academic research with practical policy development in public financial governance.

Foster operates within Ulster University's Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, collaborating with the Public Sector Group of Chartered Accountants Ireland. Her research informs both academic discourse and real-world accountability practices across devolved UK administrations.