Frank Buckless
Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean
Professor of Accounting
Dean's Office
Nelson Hall 2102A
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.
Education
Ph.D. Accounting Michigan State University 1989
Area(s) of Expertise
Financial Statement Auditing, Research Methodology, Accounting Education and Faculty Issues.
Honors and Awards
- American Accounting Association’s (AAA) “Innovation in Accounting Education Award” (2016)
- College of Management Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching (1998)
- Hewlett Fellow (NC State Inquiry Based Education Grant).
- Outstanding Auditing Dissertation award issued by the American Accounting Association - Auditing Section (1990)
News
- Frank Buckless Among Big Names on the Triangle Advisory Board (November 5, 2021)
- From the Dean: Making an Impact (Feb. 24, 2021)
- Sepi Saidi ‘85 Embraces the Unknown Challenges in Business (March 10, 2020)
- Dean Buckless of NC State Poole College of Management Joins Leaders in Signing Open Letter Calling for Substantial Policy Change in U.S. Approach to High-Skilled Immigration (October 15, 2019)
- NC State Names New Dean of Poole College of Management (May 2, 2019)
- A Conversation with Dean Buckless (Aug. 10, 2018)
- NC State Poole College Names New Associate Dean (March 26, 2018)