Jenny Kent

Jenny Kent is a Professor and Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University (CSU). She holds qualifications including BOccThy (QldUni), MAcc (CSU-Riv), MCom (Deakin), PhD (CSU), and is a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA). Her research focuses on public sector and not-for-profit accounting, rural development challenges, and transformative approaches to accounting education. She has led interdisciplinary projects funded by government agencies and NGOs, addressing issues such as drought impacts, rural youth exclusion, and academic integrity in distance learning.

Dr. Kent’s academic leadership includes roles as Associate Dean (Academic) and 2015 President of the NSW CPA Australia Division. Her work bridges academia and practice, exemplified by university clinics serving rural communities and studies on aligning accounting curricula with industry needs. Her publications emphasize non-technical skill development, stakeholder collaboration, and addressing systemic barriers in rural education and healthcare access.

• Education:
  • PhD in Accounting (Charles Sturt University)
  • Master of Commerce (Deakin University)
  • Master of Applied Commerce (Charles Sturt University)
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Queensland University)
• Key Research Projects:
  • Impact of drought on rural education access (funded by DEST and FRRR)
  • Academic integrity in online education (CSU-funded)
  • University-clinic models for rural healthcare (collaboration with Greater Murray Health Service)
• Awards:
  • Fellow of CPA Australia (2015)
  • NSW CPA Divisional Presidency (2015)

Her recent articles highlight trends in aligning educational practices with employer expectations, addressing rural youth marginalization, and mitigating academic misconduct in distributed learning environments. Collaborative research with government and industry ensures practical policy implications in accounting education and rural development.