Robert Whited

Education

Ph.D. Accounting University of Tennessee 2014
M.S. Accounting Wake Forest University 2008
B.S. Chemistry University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill 2007

Courses

MBA 584 – Root Cause Analysis: Interpreting Data for Decision-Making

Area(s) of Focus/Expertise

Capital Markets, Financial Accounting, Auditing

Research Interests

My research interests focus on capital market efficiency, applied econometrics in accounting research, costs and benefits of financial reporting regulation, and economic incentives influencing auditor selection and auditor performance.

Recent/Past Research

Recently, I have been conducting research on whether investors unravel the bias in sell-side analyst forecasts. We find that the analysts issue low forecasts that firms meet or beat 70 percent of the time. However, our analysis suggests that investors are not fooled by these predictably biased forecasts and adjust their expectations of firm performance accordingly. 

In other research, I consider the effects of the recent SEC rule amendment exempting low-revenue firms from the requirement to obtain an internal control audit. We find that the relaxed requirement results in cost savings for firms but does not increase the risks of financial misreporting. Overall, our result supports scaled-back reporting requirements for smaller firms. 

Why Students May Want to Study Risk and Analytics

Understanding how to analyze data to inform decisions is crucial. As business leaders try to assess which risks to take and which to avoid, quantifying the information and understanding what we can learn from the data, and perhaps more importantly, what we cannot learn from the data, is essential. Individuals with these skills are extremely valuable to their organizations.

Highlights of Teaching for the Program

My course is conducted in a case study format. For each case, I have Zoom sessions where we discuss the case. I love when students share personal experiences and insights that are relevant to the case. Often, these insights are things I had never considered when I planned the case.

Advice for prospective students

When analyzing data, always be skeptical, critical, and cautious about what you can learn. Different people may analyze the same data and come to very different conclusions. Understand the limitations of your data and avoid overconfidence in your conclusions. 

Something personal you would like to share? (fun facts, interests, etc.)

I love to golf, listen to music, and spend time with my two daughters and wife.