Brian Williams
Indiana University Kelley School of Business
“Brian Williams has made a remarkable impact on students and significantly contributed to the intersection of accounting and technology. He currently serves as the youngest full professor at the Kelley School of Business, where his student-centered approach has earned him numerous accolades across diverse areas of teaching. Williams has also been recognized for his expertise across distinct subject areas—receiving awards for both his teaching in income taxes and his development of Kelley’s first undergraduate accounting analytics course, for which he earned the Innovative Teaching Award in 2022.” – Sreeni Kamma, Associate Dean for Academics, IU Kelley School of Business
Brian Williams, 37, serves as a professor of accounting, Fettig/Whirlpool Faculty Fellow, and Chair of the Virtual Advanced Business Technologies Department at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
In his role of chair of the Virtual Advanced Business Technologies Department, Williams leads 66 faculty members dedicated to keeping Kelley at the forefront of technological advancements, including AI. He has served in leadership roles promoting teaching excellence at IU and helped to spearhead efforts to integrate cutting edge technology within the accounting curriculum at Kelley. His innovative teaching methods have earned him the Kelley School’s Sauvian Teaching Award, Innovative Teaching Award, and Trustees Teaching Award.
His scholarly contributions include research studies cited more than 1,500 times, underscoring his impact in the field of accounting. He has received multiple accolades, including the American Taxation Association Manuscript Award for his work on tax avoidance and firm risk, and the Journal of the American Taxation Association Outstanding Manuscript Award.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2015-2023 and 2024-present
Education: University of Oregon, Accounting, Ph.D., 2015
Texas A&M University, Accounting, M.S., 2010
Texas A&M University, Accounting, B.B.A, 2010
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Communicating Accounting Analytics, Taxes and Decision Making, Basic Accounting Skills
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … my undergraduate tax professor, Dr. Connie Weaver at Texas A&M, took the time to share with our class about her research and life as a professor.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? I’m currently researching explainable AI algorithms and their use in business settings. My coauthors and I have been able to use explainable AI in the setting of using accounting disclosures to predict corporate tax payments, which are notoriously volatile and hard to forecast. I am excited about this project because it provides information both on what machines do better than humans, and how humans can better compete with AI going forward.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … working in tech.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I truly care about my students, treat them respect, and view class as a joint effort where they can give me anonymous feedback that I will incorporate during the semester.
One word that describes my first time teaching: excited.
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: That being in a position to serve others would be even more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.
Professor I most admire and why: Brian Miller because he makes genuine connections with his students and helps them succeed in any way he can. He has been a great mentor to me in research, teaching, and life.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? They are keenly aware of current events and are generally motivated to use their business knowledge to make the world a better place.
What is most challenging? Sometimes they can get too focused on a very specific career path and tie their self-worth to it.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: curious
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: disengaged
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … fair
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Hanging out with my family, going on nature walks, and watching sports – particularly College Football.
How will you spend your summer? Hanging out with my family.
Favorite place(s) to vacation: a walkable city – like Boston.
Favorite book(s): I’ve really enjoyed reading “The Hobbit” to my children and sharing it with them. In terms of non-fiction, I also really enjoy “The Happiness Advantage” from Shawn Achor and try to re-read it every couple of years or so.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? Rings of Power – I love anything in the Tolkien Universe.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I like a wide variety of music but if I had to pick a single type it would be worship music because I find it really encouraging.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … a focus on teaching the skills that our students can apply immediately to succeed in their chosen endeavors.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … thinking for the long run, rather than focusing on short-term metrics.
I’m grateful for … being alive in this really exciting moment in time.
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