Susan Smith

Susan Smith is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance at the University of Sussex Business School, where she also serves as Associate Dean (Education and Students). With extensive experience bridging professional practice and academia, she contributes significantly to both the accountancy profession and higher education sectors through her leadership roles and scholarly work.

Dr. Smith holds an LLB in Law from The University of Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCAEW). She is an elected member of the ICAEW Council representing the South East and serves on the ICAEW Ethical Standards Committee, placing her at the forefront of strategic decisions within the profession. Additionally, she is a director of the Chartered Accountants Trustees Limited, which manages ICAEW charitable trusts supporting educational activities.

Her research focuses on the intersection of professional accountancy practice and academic education, examining governance within professional bodies, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and innovative approaches to accounting education. She has conducted significant research on staff-student partnerships, education-focused academic career pathways, and the transition from professional practice to academia, with particular attention to how these elements can be integrated to enhance educational outcomes.

Dr. Smith's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on educational innovation within accounting and business education. She has explored staff-student partnerships, co-creation of assessment criteria, and the development of new career pathways for education-focused academics. Her work also includes case studies on corporate failures like Thomas Cook and Carillion, connecting theoretical frameworks with practical applications in accounting education.

Dr. Smith has received significant recognition for her contributions to education:

• CMBE (Certified Management and Business Educator)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Learning Together award (2019 University Education Awards, shared with students Andrew Donald and Yuki Kikuri)

As Associate Dean (Education and Students), Dr. Smith oversees educational strategy and student experience at the Business School. She was instrumental in developing the Certified Management and Business Educator designation through her work with the Chartered ABS. Her advising focuses on supporting students through initiatives like the 'Pop Up Accounting Cafe' where she offers weekly consultations and has developed frameworks for building community through staff-student partnerships.

Dr. Smith maintains active connections with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, serving on multiple committees that influence both the accounting profession and higher education policy. Her work bridges the gap between professional practice and academic education, with a particular focus on how professional accountancy bodies can better connect with academic institutions to enhance educational quality and professional development.