Bio

Frank Buckless is the Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean of the Poole College of Management at NC State University.

Since he took the helm in 2019, Poole College has experienced tremendous enrollment growth and record-breaking application numbers. Under his leadership, the college has also made significant strides in national rankings; expanded to include an array of new graduate programs, certificates, initiatives and interdisciplinary programs; launched an influential thought leadership platform; and forged industry partnerships that help ensure our graduates are fully prepared to make the world a better place to live and work.

Before serving as dean, Buckless led the Department of Accounting for 18 years. During that time, the undergraduate and graduate accounting programs experienced significant growth and recognition, and the department received initial accreditation from the AACSB. The department also generated support for impactful academic research, especially in the areas of risk management and technology commercialization.

A member of the NC State accounting faculty since 1989, Buckless received his doctorate in accounting from Michigan State University. He brought valuable corporate experience to Poole College from his tenure as auditor with Arthur Andersen and Company.

Research

Buckless’ research interests include accounting education, audit and sustainability, and he has published in top journals, including The Accounting Review and Issues in Accounting Education, where he served as associate editor. He also has served on the editorial board of Accounting Education: A Journal of Theory, Practice and Research, The Accounting Educators’ Journal and Journal of Accounting Education.

Along with colleagues Kathy Krawczyk and Scott Showalter, Buckless received the 2016 American Accounting Association’s (AAA) “Innovation in Accounting Education Award” for their use of Second Life virtual reality world to enhance the classroom learning experience. He has published numerous educational books related to audit education.

Follow Buckless on Twitter @PoolePackDean.

Area(s) of Expertise

Financial Statement Auditing, Research Methodology, Accounting Education and Faculty Issues.