Tracey Riley, PhD, CPA

Biography

Dr. Tracey Riley’s research focuses on judgment and decision-making in auditing and financial reporting contexts, with an emphasis on how individuals interpret and respond to financial information. She is an award-winning author whose writing has received national recognition through professional Best Paper and Outstanding Author Contribution awards, as well as competitive research grants.

Dr. Riley has published in top academic journals, including Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, Issues in Accounting Education, Journal of Accounting Literature, Contemporary Accounting Research, and others. She has served on editorial advisory boards and as a reviewer for leading scholarly journals, reflecting her role as a trusted voice in financial education and communication.

Dr. Riley is currently the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs. She also serves on Suffolk University's Faculty Advisory Board for Retention, the Academic Misconduct Committee, and the Academic Standing Committee. She has won university, school, and student organization-level awards for her extensive service.

Dr. Riley is an award-winning teacher, and teaching is her greatest passion. Her main focus is financial accounting and overseeing the accounting department’s winter internship program, which she launched.

In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Riley, together with her son, writes children’s literature focused on early financial literacy. Their current projects use storytelling and playful characters to introduce foundational concepts such as saving, interest, and long-term growth to young readers and their families. Through both her academic leadership and creative writing, Dr. Riley is committed to expanding access to financial knowledge and empowering learners of all ages to make confident, informed financial choices.

Honors and Recognitions

• 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