Faculty Directory

Professor of Accounting

William A. Fowler Endowed Professor

Education

PhD University of Michigan (2004)

BA University of Oregon (1997)

Academic Expertise

Current Research

Earnings quality, management disclosures, managerial ability, and the interactions between market participants

Positions Held

At the University of Washington since 2012

Faculty at University of Utah, 2007-2012

Faculty at New York University, 2004-2007

Senior Auditor at Arthur Andersen, Portland Oregon, 1998-2000

Staff Accountant at Moss Adams & Co., Vancouver Washington, 1997-1998

Selected Publications

1. “Experience with Non-GAAP Earnings and Investors’ Pricing of Exclusions“

   Journal Article:McVay, S., E. Rodriguez-Vasquez, and S. Toynbee, (forthcoming). The Accounting Review,
2. “Free Cash Flow Disclosure in Earnings Announcements“

   Journal Article:Adame, K., J. Koski, K. Lem, and S. McVay, (forthcoming). Journal of Financial Reporting,
3. “Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Resource Extraction: Evidence from China“

   Journal Article:Ge, W., Z. Li, Q. Liu and S. McVay., (2021). Contemporary Accounting Research, Vol. 38(2), pp. 1274–1309.
4. “Preparers and the Financial Reporting System“

   Journal Article:McVay, S. and B. Szerwo., (2021). Accounting and Business Research, Vol. 51(5), pp. 484–507.
5. “Detecting Opportunistic Special Items“

   Journal Article:Cain, C., K. Kolev and S. McVay., (2020). Management Science, Vol. 66(5), pp. 2099–2119.
6. “The Changing Implications of Research and Development Expenditures for Future Profitability“

   Journal Article:Curtis, A., S. McVay and S. Toynbee., (2020). Review of Accounting Studies, Vol. 25(2), pp. 405-437.
7. “How Does Intentional Earnings Smoothing Vary with Managerial Ability?“

   Journal Article:Demerjian, P., M. Lewis-Western and S. McVay., (2020). Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, Vol. 35(2), pp. 406-437.
8. “Costs and Benefits of Internal Control Audits: Evidence from M&A Transactions“

   Journal Article:Kravet, T., S. McVay and D. Weber., (2018). Review of Accounting Studies, Vol. 23, pp. 1389–1423.
9. “Costs and Benefits of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404(b) Exemption: Evidence from Small Firms’ Internal Control Disclosures“

   Journal Article:Ge, W., Koester, A. & McVay, S., (2017). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 63, pp. 368–384.
10. “Does Ineffective Internal Control over Financial Reporting affect a Firm’s Operations? Evidence from Firms’ Inventory Management“

    Journal Article:Feng, M., Li, C., McVay, S., and Skaife, H., (2015). The Accounting Review, Vol. 90, pp. 529-557.
11. “An Analysis of the Implications of Discontinued Operations for Continuing Income“

    Journal Article:Curtis, A., McVay, S. E., and Wolfe, M., (2014). Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Vol. 33(2), pp. 190-201.
12. “The Disclosure of Non-GAAP Earnings Information in the Presence of Transitory Gains“

    Journal Article:Curtis, A., McVay, S. E., and Whipple, B., (2014). The Accounting Review, Vol. 89(3), pp. 933-958.
13. “Forecasting Sales: A Model and Some Evidence from the Retail Industry“

    Journal Article:Curtis, A., Lundholm, R. J. and McVay, S. E, (2014). Contemporary Accounting Research, Vol. 31(2), pp. 581–608.
14. “Managerial Ability and Earnings Quality“

    Journal Article:Demerjian, P., Lev, B., Lewis, M., and McVay, S., (2013). The Accounting Review, Vol. 88(2), pp. 463-498.
15. “Quantifying Managerial Ability: A New Measure and Validity Tests“

    Journal Article:Demerjian, P., Lev, B., and McVay, S., (2012). Management Science, Vol. 58(7), pp. 1229-1248.
16. “Non-GAAP Earnings and Board Independence“

    Journal Article:Frankel, R., McVay, S., and Soliman, M., (2011). Review of Accounting Studies, Vol. 16(4), pp. 719-744.
17. “Manager-Specific Effects on Earnings Guidance: An Analysis of Top Executive Turnovers“

    Journal Article:Brochet, F., Faurel, L., and McVay, S., (2011). Journal of Accounting Research, Vol. 49(5), pp. 1123-1162.
18. “Analysts’ Incentives to Overweight Management Guidance When Revising Their Short-Term Earnings Forecasts“

    Journal Article:Feng, M., and McVay, S., (2010). The Accounting Review, Vol. 85(5), pp. 1617-1646.
19. “Internal Control and Management Guidance“

    Journal Article:Feng, M., Li, C., and McVay, S., (2009). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 48(2-3), pp. 190-209.
20. “SEC Scrutiny and the Evolution of Non-GAAP Earnings Numbers“

    Journal Article:Kolev, K., Marquardt, C., and McVay, S., (2008). The Accounting Review, Vol. 83(1), pp. 157-184.
21. “Determinants of Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting“

    Journal Article:Doyle, J., Ge, W., and McVay, S., (2007). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 44(1-2), pp. 193-223.
22. “Accruals Quality and Internal Control over Financial Reporting“

    Journal Article:Doyle, J., Ge, W., and McVay, S., (2007). The Accounting Review, Vol. 82(5), pp. 1141-1170.
23. “Earnings Management Using Classification Shifting: An Examination of Core Earnings and Special Items“

    Journal Article:McVay, S., (2006). The Accounting Review, Vol. 81(3), pp. 501-531.
24. “Trading Incentives to Meet the Analyst Forecast“

    Journal Article:McVay, S., Nagar, V., and Tang, W., (2006). Review of Accounting Studies, Vol. 11(4), pp. 575-598.
25. “The Disclosure of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act“

    Journal Article:Ge, W., and McVay, S., (2005). Accounting Horizons, Vol. 19(3), pp. 137-158.

Working Papers

Adame, K., J. Koski, K. Lem, and S. McVay. 2023. Why Are Investors Paying (More) Attention to Free Cash Flows?

Carnahan, S., S. McVay, and M.J. Rabier. 2023. Who Bears the Cost of Capital Market Pressure? Job-related Injuries, Wage Theft and Race.

Chen, S., S. Lai, C. Liu, and S. McVay. 2023. Overconfident Managers and Internal Controls.

Kravet, T., S. McVay, and J. Warren. 2023. The Impact of M&A Transactions on Acquiring Firm Management Guidance: An Analysis of Competing Disclosure Incentives.

McVay, S. and M.J. Rabier. 2023. How Resilient are Firms’ Financial Reporting Processes to the Sudden Loss of a CFO? Evidence from Sudden Deaths.

Honors and Awards

William A. Fowler Endowed Professorship, 2021–present

CBDC Diversity Research Grant, 2023–2025

Pacific Coast Banking School Dean’s Leadership Award, 2023

PhD Faculty Mentor Award, 2016, 2022

MBA Professor of the Quarter, 2016 (Spring Quarter), 2021 (Spring Quarter)

Deloitte and Touche Endowed Professorship, 2015–2021

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching, 2019

TMMBA Faculty of the Quarter Award, 2013–2016, 2019 (Winter Quarter)

TMMBA Excellence in Teaching Award, 2016

William and Helen Fowler Endowment for Special Achievement in Accounting, 2014

Glen and Lucille Legoe Endowed Professorship, 2012–2015

Contemporary Accounting Research Outstanding Reviewer Award, 2011

Doctoral Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, 2011

David Eccles Emerging Scholar/Faculty Fellow, 2008–2011/2011–2012

Deloitte and Touche Fellowship, 2002

Beta Alpha Psi, President (Oregon Chapter), 1996–1997

Oregon State Society of CPAs Outstanding Student Award, 1997

Academic Service

Service to journals:

Editor, Contemporary Accounting Research 2014–2022

Editor, Journal of Financial Reporting 2018–2021

Editorial Board, Journal of Financial Reporting 2021–present

Editorial Board, Review of Accounting Studies 2017–present

Editorial Board, Accounting and Finance 2012–present

Editorial Advisory and Review Board, Accounting Horizons 2008–present

Editorial Advisory and Review Board, The Accounting Review 2008–present

Ad Hoc Editor, Contemporary Accounting Research 2013–2014, 2023

Editorial Board, Contemporary Accounting Research 2010–2014

Select service to the American Accounting Association:

AAA Vice President – Research and Publications, 2021–2024

AAA/Deloitte Foundation/J. Michael Cook Doctoral Consortium Invited Speaker, 2021

FARS President, 2019–2020

New Faculty Consortium Committee, 2016 (Chair), 2011–2013, 2015, 2017 (Member)

Organizer of the Western Region Doctoral Student Faculty Interchange, 2013–2015

FARS Financial Reporting Policy Committee, 2012–2013 (Chair), 2008–2012 (Member)