Tracey J. Riley, PhD, CPA

Biography

Dr. Tracey J. Riley serves as interim dean of Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School (SBS). A respected educator, scholar, and academic leader, Dr. Riley brings more than fifteen years of experience at SBS and a deep commitment to student success, faculty excellence, and innovative business education.

Throughout her career at Suffolk, Dr. Riley has held numerous leadership roles, including Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Dean of Online Education and Learning Assessment, Director of Graduate Programs in Accounting, and Chair of the Accounting Department. In these positions, she has led major academic initiatives, supported faculty development, advanced accreditation and assessment efforts, and strengthened partnerships with students, alumni, and industry leaders.

An accomplished scholar in accounting, auditing, and financial communication, Dr. Riley's research examines how individuals interpret and respond to financial information and how communication influences judgment and decision-making. Her work has appeared in leading academic journals and has contributed to conversations on accounting education, auditing, and financial reporting.

Teaching remains central to Dr. Riley's professional identity. A recipient of numerous teaching and service awards, she is known for creating engaging learning experiences that connect academic concepts to professional practice. She developed SBS's accounting winter internship program and has championed experiential learning opportunities that help students build confidence, skills, and career readiness.

In addition to her academic leadership and scholarship, Dr. Riley is co-writing a series of children's books with her son. Their stories combine engaging characters with themes of financial literacy, helping young readers explore concepts such as saving, investing, and making thoughtful financial decisions. Through both her teaching and writing, she seeks to make financial knowledge more accessible to learners of all ages.

As interim dean, Dr. Riley is committed to supporting the Sawyer Business School community and advancing its tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful engagement with the business profession.

Honors and Recognitions

• Outstanding Educator of the Year, MassCPAs, 2026
• Suffolk University Faculty Award for Outstanding Service, 2020
• SBS Research Committee Grants, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
• SBS Dean’s Award for Service, 2019
• Best Paper Award, AAA Southeast Regional Meeting, 2017
• Outstanding Service to Beta Alpha Psi, 2017
• Outstanding Author Contribution, Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence, 2015
• Dean John Brennan Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate Students, 2015
• SBS Dean’s Award for Teaching, 2014
• Suffolk University TEALIG Grant, 2013
• Outstanding Faculty Award from Beta Alpha Psi, 2011
• Outstanding Service to Delta Sigma Pi, 2008
• Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2006-2007

Professional Activities

• Member, MassCPA’s Accounting Pipeline Initiatives Committee, 2023-present
• Member, Northbridge, MA, Fire Department Auxiliary, 2021-2024
• Member, Northbridge, MA, Fire Department Events Committee, 2022-2023
• Member and Treasurer, Board of Directors, Valley View School, 2012-2017

Publications

Recent Intellectual Contributions

Referred Journal Articles

Fuller, S.H., Heron, N.M., Riley. T.J., & Stuart, A.C. (2025). Current developments in sustainability assurance: Impact of emerging regulations. Current Issues in Auditing, 1-13.

Stuart, A.C., Riley, T.J., & Nolder, C.J. (2024). Self-concept priming and message framing as strategies for improving individuals' compliance: A case study of bicultural taxpayers' tip reporting. Accounting and the Public Interest, 1-19.

Fuller, S.H., Riley, T.J., & Stuart, A.C. (April 2023). Antecedents and outcomes of auditor identities: evidence from the behavioral literature and directions for future research. Behavioral Research in Accounting, 1-20.

Renschler, M.E., Riley, T.J., & Stuart, A.C. (2023). From equal to equitable: Developing an inclusive winter internship program. Issues in Accounting Education, 38(1), 163-183.

Stuart, A.C., Fuller, S.H., Heron, N.M., & Riley, T.J. (2022). Defining CSR disclosure quality: A review and synthesis of the accounting literature. Journal of Accounting Literature, 45(1), 1-47.

Stuart, A.C., Riley, T.J., Fuller, S.H., & DeStefano, C. (August 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has shaped and impacted a new class of accounting graduates in significant and lasting ways. Strategic Finance, 53-57.

Riley, T.J., & Yen, A.C. (2019). Accounting Narratives. In Oxford Encyclopedia of Business and Management. Oxford University Press.

Yen, A., Riley, T., & Liao, P. (2017). Chinese vs. US investors’ reactions to accounting narratives: An experiment. Asian Review of Accounting, 25(4), 526-548.

Riley, T., & Simons, K. (2016). The written communication skills that matter most for accountants. Accounting Education: An International Journal, 25(3), 239-255.

Nolder, C., & Riley. T.J. (2014). Effects of differences in national culture on auditors’ judgments and decisions: A literature review of cross-cultural auditing studies from a judgment and decision making perspective. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 33(2), 141-164.

Riley, T.J., Semin, G.R., & Yen, A.C. (2014). Patterns of language use in accounting narratives and their impact on investment-related judgments and decisions. Behavioral Research in Accounting, 26(1), 59-84.

Riley, T.J., & Simons, K.A. (2013). Writing in the accounting curriculum: A review of the literature with conclusions for implementation and future research. Issues in Accounting Education, 28(4), 823-871.

Bhattacharjee, S., Moreno, K.K., & Riley, T. J. (2012). The interplay of interpersonal affect and source reliability on auditors’ inventory judgments. Contemporary Accounting Research, 29(4), 1087-1108.

Media Highlights

• A Win-Win for 'Winternships' - Suffolk University
• Zoom’s Silver Lining @Suffolk News
• IRS Agents for a Day @Suffolk News