Jan Williams

Background

About Jan Williams

Jan R. Williams is Dean and Professor Emeritus of the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee (UT) where he was on the faculty from 1977 to 2013. He served as Head of the Department of Accounting and Information Management from 1985 – 1993 and as Dean from 2013. Twice during his career, he worked for the professional services firm, EY. Several years after retiring to Nashville, he became affiliated with Belmont University where he filled in as Dean of the Massey College of Business in 2019-20 during the school’s period of transition. He received his BS degree from George Peabody College (now the College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University), MBA from Baylor University, and PhD from the University of Arkansas. At the U of A, he majored in both accounting and economics and did his dissertation research in finance. Prior to UT, he was on the faculties at the University of Georgia and Texas Tech University. He is a CPA in Tennessee (active license) and Arkansas (inactive). He is the co-author of multiple editions of four books and has published over 125 articles, books, research monographs, continuing education courses, and other publications on issues of corporate financial reporting and accounting and business education. Dr. Williams held leadership roles in several professional accounting and business organizations. He was Director of Education and later President of the American Accounting Association, National President of Beta Alpha Psi, Vice-President of the Tennessee Society of CPAs, and has been actively involved in several capacities with the American Institute of CPAs. He was Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. He was a member of the Accounting Education Change Commission and the Pathways Commission. In 2017, he was Visiting Professor and Consultant for Oklahoma State University’s School of Accounting. In 2018, he received the American Accounting Association Outstanding Accounting Educator Award. In retirement, he actively promotes financial literacy/wellness through several organizations, primarily focusing on preparing young adults for a life of financial wellness.(revised 1/3/23)