Where will we find tomorrow’s leaders? — David Bedford, Associate Professor at UTS
This top scholar shares the future of analytics and accounting.
David Bedford is an Associate Professor at UTS Business School in the Accounting Discipline, which he joined in 2005.
David has published in a number of leading international academic journals, as well as coordinates and lecturers in subjects such as Management Planning and Control, and Data Analytics for Decision Making.
Taking a look back at David’s career journey, from PhD to the real world. David shares his best advice and experience on transitioning from academic, leadership and the world of data analytics.
1. Growing up, what did you want to be?
An astronaut. I was fascinated with outer space as a kid, and still am.
2. What were some of your first and most memorable jobs?
Apart from a few unmemorable part-time jobs when I was younger, my first full time job is still my current one — an academic at UTS.
3. How did your path take you into your current role?
During my honours year I was coaxed into a PhD by a visiting Professor. I still thought of the PhD as just delaying the inevitable transition to the world of practice.
But I discovered that being an academic provides a lot of freedom in deciding how you want to contribute to society.
4. Can you highlight your main responsibilities in that role?
My main roles are research, teaching, and engagement with practice. My current research focus across each is on how performance measurement influences innovation outcomes, and the impacts of the digitalisation of accounting and finance functions.
In teaching I’m developing a foundational subject on business analytics that will be part of the Executive MBA program at UTS. My recent external engagements have been with local, state, and federal health authorities, to help them improve performance reporting and resource allocation decisions.
5. What does the term leadership mean to you — and what type of leader are you?
The most difficult but also most rewarding part of being an academic is supporting students through the doctoral program. At various points of their doctoral journey, I need to be a sounding board, a guide, an emotional support, a critic, and a source of motivation. Knowing when to take different roles is an important part of being a good leader.
6. What are the top trends to affect the data, analytics and accounting landscape today, and into the future?
In the accounting and finance space, probably the two main trends are in the uptake of robotic process automation applied to routine, transactional processes, and the use of machine learning in generating financial forecasts.
In the near future we are likely to see greater application of cognitive computing technologies in conducting more complex financial analyses and providing interpretations of the results.
7. How would you describe yourself?
Inquisitive. I’m always wanting to know more.
8. What are some of your passions in life? Favourite things?
My family, food and wine, and running.
9. And finally, what do you wish to achieve moving forward?
There is so much I want to do, but just never enough time.
I want my work to have a positive social impact, so I will continue to focus on working with public institutions and third-sector organisations.
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Originally published at https://www.hyperanna.com.
