Celesta S. Bates

Celesta S. Bates is a Professor of Accounting and serves as DBA Program Director and Graduate Business Program Director at Anderson University, a position she has held since Fall 2021. Her career spans diverse professional roles including CFO of the Indiana Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Agency, partner in a family-owned construction company, and faculty member at Martin University. She holds certifications as a CPA and CGMA.

Educational background: B.S. from Butler University, M.B.A. from Butler University, and Ph.D. from Indiana Wesleyan University. Professional affiliations include board membership with Storytelling Arts of Indiana and active participation in St. Joan of Arc Church in Indianapolis.

Research and professional interests focus on applying accounting principles to public sector governance, construction industry financial management, and strategic financial leadership in nonprofit organizations. Her career trajectory demonstrates expertise in bridging academic instruction with real-world financial governance across government, corporate, and philanthropic sectors.