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Faculty Directory

David Burgstahler
Office: 555
PACCAR Hall
Phone: 206-543-6316
Fax: 206-685-1561

Foster School of Business
University of Washington
Box: 353226
Seattle, WA 98195-3226

Valuation methods based on book values and methods based on earnings should be viewed as complementary-not competing-alternatives. Valuation methods that focus on book value are more appropriate for firms with low return on equity, while a focus on earnings is more appropriate for firms with high return on equity.

David Burgstahler

Professor of Accounting
Chair of the Department of Accounting
Julius A. Roller Professor of Accounting

Education

PhD University of Iowa (1981)
BAcc University of Minnesota Duluth (1976)

Academic Expertise

managerial accounting

Current Research

Valuation of the firm, management of earnings, evaluation of evidence from audit sampling, accounting information and determinants of stock prices

Positions Held

University of Washington, 1981-present

Selected Publications

  1. Size Management by European Private Firms to Minimize Proprietary Costs of Disclosure
    Journal Article:Bernard, D., Burgstahler, D., Kaya, D., (2018). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 66, pp. 94-122.
  2. Management of Earnings and Analysts’ Forecasts to Achieve Zero and Small Positive Earnings Surprise
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., Eames, M., (2006). Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, Vol. 33(5-6), pp. 633-652.
  3. The importance of reporting incentives: earnings management in European private and public firms
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., Hail, L., & Leuz, C., (2006). The Accounting Review, Vol. 81(5), pp. 983-1016.
  4. Earnings management to avoid losses and earnings decreases: Are analysts fooled?
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., & Eames, M., (2003). Contemporary Accounting Research, Vol. 20(2), pp. 253-294.
  5. Do Stock Prices Fully Reflect the Implications of Special Items for Future Earnings?
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., Jiambalvo, J., & Shevlin, T., (2002). Journal of Accounting Research, Vol. 40(3), pp. 585-612.
  6. Earnings Surprise Materiality as Measured by Stock Returns
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., Kinney, W.R., & Martin, R., (2002). Journal of Accounting Research, Vol. 40(5), pp. 1297-1329.
  7. Error Projection and Uncertainty in the Evaluation of Aggregate Error
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., Glover, S., & Jiambalvo, J., (2000). Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Vol. 19(1), pp. 79-99.
  8. Full-Cost Pricing and the Illusion of Satisficing
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., (1997). Journal of Management Accounting Research, Vol. 9, pp. 239-263.
  9. Earnings, Adaptation, and Equity Value
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D. C. and I. D. Dichev, (1997). Accounting Review, Vol. 72(2), pp. 187-215.
  10. Earnings Management to Avoid Earnings Decreases and Losses
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., & Dichev, I., (1997). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 24(1), pp. 99-126.
  11. Changes in the Probability of Bankruptcy and Equity Value
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., (1989). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 11, pp. 207-224.
  12. The Incremental Information Content of Accrual Versus Cash Flow Data
    Journal Article:Burgstahler, D., (1987). Accounting Review, Vol. 62(4), pp. 723-747.

Honors and Awards

Andrew V. Smith Faculty Development Award (2008)
AAA-AICPA Notable Contribution to the Accounting Literature Award (2002)
MBA Core Professor of the Quarter (Autumn 2001)
Beta Alpha Psi Professor of the Year (1996, 1998, 1999, and 2001)
Dean's Research Award (1998)
US West Andrew V. Smith Faculty Development Award (1994)
Burlington Northern Foundation Achievement Award for Scholarship (1986)
Peat Marwick Research Opportunities in Auditing Grant (1983)

Academic Service

Vice-President for Publications, American Accounting Association (2007-2009)
Acting Dean, University of Washington Business School (January-April 2005)
Associate editor of Accounting Horizons (1997-2000)
Editorial board of Accounting Review (1983-86, 1992-2003)
Editorial board of Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory (1986-94)
Board of referees of Accounting and Business Research (1988-92)