Box: 353226
Sarah McVay
- Professor of Accounting William A. Fowler Endowed Professor
Education
- PhD University of Michigan (2004)
- BA University of Oregon (1997)
Academic Expertise
- financial accounting
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
“How Resilient are Firms’ Financial Reporting Processes to the Sudden Loss of a CFO? Evidence from Sudden Deaths“
McVay, S. and M.J. Rabier, (forthcoming). The Accounting Review.
“Experience with Non-GAAP Earnings and Investors’ Pricing of Exclusions“
McVay, S., E. Rodriguez-Vasquez, and S. Toynbee, (2024). The Accounting Review.
“Free Cash Flow Disclosure in Earnings Announcements“
Adame, K., J. Koski, K. Lem, and S. McVay, (2024). Journal of Financial Reporting.
“Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Resource Extraction: Evidence from China“
Ge, W., Z. Li, Q. Liu and S. McVay., (2021). Contemporary Accounting Research, Vol. 38(2), pp. 1274–1309.
“Preparers and the Financial Reporting System“
McVay, S. and B. Szerwo., (2021). Accounting and Business Research, Vol. 51(5), pp. 484–507.
“Detecting Opportunistic Special Items“
Cain, C., K. Kolev and S. McVay., (2020). Management Science, Vol. 66(5), pp. 2099–2119.
“The Changing Implications of Research and Development Expenditures for Future Profitability“
Curtis, A., S. McVay and S. Toynbee., (2020). Review of Accounting Studies, Vol. 25(2), pp. 405-437.
“How Does Intentional Earnings Smoothing Vary with Managerial Ability?“
Demerjian, P., M. Lewis-Western and S. McVay., (2020). Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, Vol. 35(2), pp. 406-437.
“Costs and Benefits of Internal Control Audits: Evidence from M&A Transactions“
Kravet, T., S. McVay and D. Weber., (2018). Review of Accounting Studies, Vol. 23, pp. 1389–1423.
“Costs and Benefits of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404(b) Exemption: Evidence from Small Firms’ Internal Control Disclosures“
Ge, W., Koester, A. & McVay, S., (2017). Journal of Accounting and Economics, Vol. 63, pp. 368–384.
Working Papers
- Carnahan, S., S. McVay, and M.J. Rabier. 2024. Capital Market Pressure and Racial Inequality: An Examination of Workplace Safety and Wage Theft.
- Chen, S., S. Lai, C. Liu, and S. McVay. 2023. Overconfident Managers and Internal Controls.
- Dechow, P., W. Ge., W. Loh, and S. McVay. 2024. Beyond Earnings Quality: Evaluating the Quality of Voluntary Corporate Financial Reporting Practices.
- Koski, J., K. Lem, and S. McVay. 2024. The Market Reaction to Free Cash Flow News.
- Kravet, T., S. McVay, and J. Warren. 2024. The Impact of M&A Transactions on Acquiring Firm Voluntary Disclosure.
Honors and Awards
- AFAANZ Annual Meeting Keynote (Plenary) Speaker, 2024
- 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
Academic Service
- Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC) 2024–present
- Editor, Review of Accounting Studies 2024–present
- American Accounting Association Vice President – Research and Publications, 2021–2024
- Editor, Contemporary Accounting Research 2014–2022
- Editor, Journal of Financial Reporting 2018–2021
- 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)