Texas Audit Research Symposium

Texas Audit Research Symposium 2025

November 7–8, 2025 • Austin, Texas • Hosted by the C. Aubrey Smith Center for Audit Education and Research

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Dates Nov 7–8, 2025
Location Austin, Texas
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Symposium Agenda

Navigate the experience chronologically. Each session expands into a full-width timeline card with manuscript access right where you need it.

Friday · November 7
Robert B. Rowling Hall · 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
Day One
12:00 PM
Social
Lunch
Boxed lunches available outside RRH 5.210.
1:00 PM
Session
Welcome Remarks
Steven Kachelmeier, Department Chair
1:15 PM
Research
Are Rewards or Penalties More Effective for Increasing Skepticism?
Empirical evidence on incentive structures that cultivate auditor skepticism.
Bright Hong, Timothy Shields
Paper Access
Hong & Shields • Behavioral audit study
Download Open in New Tab
2:10 PM
Break
Refresh & Transition
2:30 PM
Research
Market-Based Incentives for Optimal Audit Quality
Analytical perspectives on aligning incentives for high-quality audits.
Andrew Acito, Amir Amel-Zadeh, James Anderson, William Anderson, Daniel Aobida, Thomas Bourveau, Francois Brochet, Huaizhi Chen, Jonathan T. Fluharty-Jaidee, Martin Schmalz, Manyun Tang, Scott Jinzhiyang Wang, Josh White, William Zame
Paper Access
Acito et al. • Incentive alignment in competitive markets
Download Open in New Tab
3:25 PM
Break
Refresh & Connect
3:45 PM
Panel
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Audit
Practitioner perspectives on deploying AI across audit engagements.
Clay Kohler, Firmwide AI Change Strategy Lead, KPMG LLP
Marshall Menzies, Senior Manager, KPMG LLP
Amy Hilton, Senior Associate, KPMG LLP
Teddy Martin, Senior Associate, KPMG LLP
Nick Hallman, Moderator · The University of Texas at Austin
5:30 PM
Evening
Friday Evening Experiences
5:30 PM
Reception · Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Reception and time to explore the galleries.
6:30 PM
Dinner · Terry Black's BBQ
7:30 PM
Talent Show & Karaoke
2400 Trinity St., Austin, TX 78705
Saturday · November 8
Robert B. Rowling Hall · 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
Day Two
8:00 AM
Social
Breakfast
Available outside RRH 5.210.
8:30 AM
Session
Welcome Remarks
Jaime Schmidt, CAS Director
8:35 AM
Research
Understanding Audit Firm Culture through the Lens of the Competing Values Framework
Qualitative insights into how culture shapes audit practice.
Murray Barrick, Olof Bik, Jere Francis, Lena Pieper, Ann Vanstraelen
Paper Access
Barrick et al. • Competing Values Framework in practice
Download Open in New Tab
9:30 AM
Break
Reset & Transition
9:50 AM
Research
Does "Making a Difference" Make a Difference? How Work Significance Affects Auditors' Quality Enhancing Actions
Evidence on how meaning and mission influence audit outcomes.
Truman Rowley
Paper Access
Rowley • Field evidence on auditor motivation
Download Open in New Tab
10:45 AM
Private Equity Block
Private Equity Research & Practitioner Respondents
Two research presentations followed by practitioner commentary on private equity participation in accounting firms.
Ally Zimmerman, Research Presenter
Youli Zou, Research Presenter
Adam Salvia, Practitioner Respondent · Audit Partner, Cherry Bekaert LLP
Paper 1
Vivian Yinqing Mao, Miguel Minutti-Meza, Zeyu Ou, Ally Zimmerman • Primer for private equity research
Download Open in New Tab
Paper 2
Tuan Doan, Steve Utke, Ying Zhou, Youli Zou • Longitudinal study of PE ownership
Download Open in New Tab
Nick Hallman, Moderator · The University of Texas at Austin
12:00 PM
Social
Lunch
1:30 PM
Social
Free Time
4:00 PM
Networking
Networking at Lazarus Brewing
Address: 4803 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

Questions?

We are excited to welcome you to Austin. For registration updates, fee waivers, or logistical questions, reach out to Kiryll.Pokudin@mccombs.utexas.edu.

Additional program details will follow via email and on this page as they are finalized.