School of Business Administration

Here in the School of Business Administration, it’s often said we’re one big family. But in the Department of Accounting, it truly is a family affair. Timothy Keune recently took over the role of Department Chair following the appointment of his wife, Marsha Keune, as SBA Associate Dean. Tim recognizes the challenges that he and all School administrators currently face. “However,” he said, “Marsha did an amazing job in her time as chair to lay the groundwork for what still needs to be done. I am thankful to her, and I also know that I have big shoes to fill.”

Keune joined the SBA faculty in August of 2014, and was awarded tenure in 2019. “I’m proud of many achievements since coming to UD, but one that stands out is publishing a paper with Marsha in a highly rated leading journal. Publishing as a husband/wife team was special.” Another highlight is the team effort to finalize the recently submitted SBA budget. “The new budget process was challenging,” he said. “Due to an unforeseen transition in SBA staff, Interim Dean Collier reached out to the Department of Accounting faculty. I stepped in to help, along with others, and we delivered on time under difficult circumstances.”

In addition to teaching managerial and cost accounting, Keune enjoys pursuing favorite research topics such as how managers within organizations use the discretion they are given, and how this is affected by accounting information and performance measurement. His work has been published in The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting and Economics, and Journal of Accounting Literature, and earned two research awards from the Management Accounting Section of the American Accounting Association. Prior to entering the Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Keune was a Division Controller for a Fortune 500 company.

Interim Dean Trevor Collier speaks enthusiastically about the work being done, and the new initiatives coming in the department. “Tim’s professional and academic experience has helped develop an exceptional framework for this leadership position. His recent involvement in numerous School and University service activities (including: Catholic and Marianist Identity Committee, SBA Promotion and Tenure Committee, Common Academic Program Leadership Committee, and as a co-chair of the Financial Stewardship Task Force) demonstrates his dedication to UD and provides the perspective, knowledge, and vision needed to excel in this role.”

When asked what he sees ahead for the Department of Accounting, Keune shared that one of the most pressing challenges is revising the accounting curriculum due to significant changes to the CPA Exam that go into effect in 2024. “Change is always hard, but we have a great group of faculty and I’m confident we will successfully continue to provide students with a great pathway to many different career options, including becoming a CPA.”