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A closeup of a student praying in the chapel at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.
Mary Kay Copeland, CPA, Ph.D.Professor

Mary Kay Copeland, CPA, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Mary Kay Copeland joined the faculty of the School of Business & Leadership as a Professor of Accounting in January 2025 after teaching and directing the master’s in accountancy and enterprise systems education programs at St. John Fisher University and Palm Beach Atlantic University, respectively. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a master’s in theological studies from Northeastern Seminary, and a BS/MBA in accounting from the University of Buffalo.

Prior to university teaching, she held various positions as a CPA in public and private accounting, as well as consulting. Her experience includes 15 years as Founder and CEO of a financial consulting firm, five years of audit and consulting experience with KPMG, and five years as a CFO.

Dr. Copeland is recognized nationally as an innovative educator for her work in developing hands-on and student-centered learning coursework and methodologies. She is a frequent presenter at the American Accounting Association, serving as a thought leader in innovative accounting education.

Her research and publications include ethical and values-based leadership, biblical applications in business, efficiency and optimization of service-based organizations, and ERP and Accounting Information Systems.

She is married (more than 30 years), has two adult sons and a daughter-in-law, and cherishes the time she can spend with them.

Publications

Articles – Peer-Reviewed Journals:

  • Hayes, J, Smith, D, and Copeland, M.K. (2022). Determinants Impacting Resale Premium Disparity When Selling a Small Business: A Predictive Non-Linear Approach: Journal of Business and Economic Studies. 26(1).
  • Copeland, M.K. & Barnhart, C. (2022). Biblical Perspectives on Free Trade. Journal of Biblical Integration in Business.
  • Copeland, M.K. & Smith, D. (2021). A Predictive Classification Approach to Examining Components of Ethical and Transformational Leadership Contributing to Leader Effectiveness in the Accounting Profession. Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting, 24(1), 149–171.
  • Crossan, W., Copeland, M.K. & Barnhart, C. (2021). The Importance of Values Based Leadership in Sport Coaching. Sport in Society. (Nov 2021 ).
  • Copeland, M.K, Kennedy, J., and Lee, V. (2021). A Research Framework for Measuring Multiple Bottom Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 23(2), 13-24.
  • Copeland, M. K. & Mahsud, R. (2020). Exemplary Customer Service: Strategies for Establishing a Competitive Advantage and Improved Financial Graziadio Business Review, 23(2).
  • Copeland, & Barnhart, C.(2020). Understanding the Ignored Miracle of the Dark-Skinned Eunuch - Ideological Texture Analysis of Acts 8:26-40. Journal for Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, 10(1), 3-24.
  • Copeland, M. & Cabanda, E. (2018) Efficiency Measurement in the U.S. Publicly Held Insurance Industry: A Two-Stage Efficiency International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector (IJISSS), 18(1).
  • Copeland, K. (2016). The Impact of Authentic, Ethical, Transformational Leadership on Leader Effectiveness. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 13(3), 79-97.
  • Copeland, (2015). The Impact of Ethical Leadership on Leader Effectiveness in the Accounting Industry. Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting,19(1). Awarded - Outstanding Author Contribution in the 2016 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence, most downloaded publication in RPREA to date.
  • Copeland, (2014). The Emerging Significance of Values Based Leadership, A Literature Review. International Journal of Leadership Studies, 8(2).
  • Copeland, (2014). Should Accounting Programs Jump on Board: Considerations, Best Practices and Benefits of Online Accounting Coursework. Business Education Forum.
  • Copeland, K. (2013). The Importance of Ethical Leadership in the Accounting Industry Published Dissertation. ABI/INFORM.
  • Copeland, (2010). Marketing and Advertising for the CPA: Leading-Edge Strategies. The CPA Journal, Aug 2010.
  • Copeland, (2010). Strategies for Developing Entrepreneurs: Nature or Nurture. MBA Review, 9(3), 16-23.
  • Copeland, (2009). An Entrepreneurial Mindset: The Essential Component for a Competitive Edge. MBA Review, 8(7), pp. 32-36.
  • Copeland, (2009). HR Strategies in Seemingly Adverse Economic Times. HR Review, 9(5), 48-53.

Articles – Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings Publications:

  • Copeland, M. (2014). Research Framework for Measuring Multiple Bottom Lines. American Accounting Association, 2014 Annual International Conference Proceedings Publication.
  • Copeland, M. (2014). Assessing and Measuring Financial and Accounting Consulting Success - A Case Study Providing a Proposed Assessment Methodology. American Accounting Association, 2014 Annual International Conference Proceedings Publication.
  • Copeland, M. (2014). Management Accounting - Improving Financial Outcomes through Flexible Leadership. American Accounting Association, 2014 Annual International Conference Proceedings Publication.
  • Copeland, M. (2013). The Impact of Ethics and Ethical Leadership in the Accounting Profession. (Awarded Best Research/Best Paper for a Recent PhD Graduate at the AAA Annual International Meeting - Ethics Symposium). American Accounting Association, 2013 Annual International Conference Proceedings Publication.
  • Copeland, M. (2013). Improving Critical Thinking through Effective Pedagogy for Online Coursework. American Accounting Association, 2013 Annual International Conference Proceedings Publication.
  • Copeland, M. (2010). Benefits, Limitations and Best Practices of Online Coursework. Should Accounting Programs Jump on Board? American Accounting Association, 2010 Northeast Proceedings Publication.
  • Copeland, M. (2009). The Impact of Authentic, Ethical, Transformational Leadership on Leader Effectiveness. Southern Management Association 2009 Proceedings Publication.

Textbooks:

  • Turner, L.; Weickgenannt, A. & Copeland, M. (2022). Accounting Information Systems: The Processes and Controls, 5th Edition.(4th and 3rd) Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Copeland, M. (2016). The Importance of Ethics and Ethical Leadership in the Accounting Profession. Saarbrücken, Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
  • Arens, A., Ward, D., Latham, C., Copeland, M. (2014). Cloud Based Computerized Accounting using Microsoft Dynamics GP2013. Okemos, Michigan: Armond Dalton Publishing.

Book Chapters:

  • Copeland, M. (2011). Values Based Leadership. In Gandolfi, F. (Ed.), Foundations of Contemporary Leadership (pp. 144-171). Köln, Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.

Course Materials:

  • Copeland, M. (2022). Understanding ERP and Accounting Information Systems using Microsoft Dynamics GP. Utilized by schools throughout the US.
  • Copeland, M. (2022). Understanding ERP Systems and Business Processes using Microsoft Dynamics 365 FO.
  • Copeland, M. (2022). Understanding Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC.
  • Copeland, M. (2022). Concepts in Customer Relationship Management Systems using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales.
  • Copeland, M. (2017) - Introduction to ERP Systems using Microsoft Dynamics AX. Seattle, WA: Microsoft Academic Alliance Coursework.

Becker CPA CPE Courses/Seminars:

  • Copeland, M. (2022). Author and Presenter. What is ERP Software and Digital Transformation and Why are they Important?

Presentations – Peer-Reviewed / Invited Presentations:

  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference – Aug 2023 - Panel – Accounting Data Analytics – Presenter and Panel Leader – The Impact of Data and Data Analytics on the Accounting and Business Professions
  • Palm Beach Atlantic University Interdisciplinary Research Conference – March 2022 -Paper Presentation - A Predictive Classification Approach to Examining Components of Ethical and Transformational Leadership Contributing to Leader Effectiveness in the Accounting Profession.
  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference – Aug 2020 – Presenter and Panel Leader – The Impact of Technology and Data Analytics on the Audit Profession.
  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference – 2019 -Presentation - Utilizing AIS/ERP Cloud Software in accounting coursework– Effective cloud-based ERP, AIS, and Data Analytics Handson Curriculum.
  • American Accounting Association – Northeast Regional Conference – 2018
    • Invited Presentation, Adding Hands on Learning in Accounting Information Systems Courses.
    • Facilitator and Presenter. On-line coursework Best Practices and Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes.
  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference – 2017
    • Panel Facilitator/Panel Presenter - Utilizing AIS/ERP Cloud Software in accounting coursework–Effective cloud-based ERP, AIS, and Data Analytics Hands on Curriculum.
    • ELS Presentation – Including Cloud Based ERP/Accounting Systems in Accounting Coursework - Easy to Deploy options for Hands Accounting and ERP Systems Learning (Also presented at the Northeast and Southeast Conferences in 2017)
  • American Accounting Association – Northeast Regional Conference – 2016
    • Panel Facilitator/Panel Presentation - Online coursework Best Practices and Strategies for Improving Outcomes.
    • Invited Session Presentation - On-line Accounting Homework Managers – Facilitating Improved Learning Outcomes.
  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference – 2015
    • Emerging/Innovative Research - Sustainability and Measuring What Matters – ERP and Lean Production and Accounting – Complimentary or Contradictory?
    • Conference for Teaching and Learning Presentation - Adoption of Online Accounting Coursework - Strategies and Lessons Learned for Maximizing On-line Learning Effectiveness (Teaching and Technology Roundtable).
    • Conference for Teaching and Learning Presentation - Including ERP and Financial Reporting and Analysis Cloud Options in Accounting Coursework.
  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference – 2014
    • Field Studies in Management Accounting – Paper Presentation: Assessing and Measuring Financial and Accounting Consulting Success - A Case Study Providing a Proposed Assessment Methodology.
    • Research Interaction Forum Session - Public Interest Section - Research Framework for Measuring Multiple Bottom Lines.
    • Research Interaction Forum Session - Management Accounting Section - Paper Presentation: Improving Financial Outcomes through Flexible Leadership.
    • Conference for Teaching and Learning Presentation - Adding Hands on Learning – Cloud Computing Options for Accounting Coursework.
  • American Accounting Association – Northeast Regional Conference – 2014
    • Public Interest Section – Paper Presentation - Sustainability and Measuring What Matters - Research Framework for Measuring Multiple Bottom Lines.
    • Session Presentation - Pedagogy and Strategies to Maximize Learning in Online Courses.
    • Session Presentation - Boot camp - Adding easy to adopt, hands on learning of QuickBooks or Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains to any accounting course.
    • Session Presentation - On-line Accounting Homework Tools - Pros, Cons and Strategies.
  • American Accounting Association – Annual International Conference –2013
    • Ethics Symposium Paper Presentation - The Impact of Ethics and Ethical Leadership in the Accounting Profession. (Also presented at Northeast AAA Conference in 2013) – Awarded Best Research Paper by a recent PhD graduate at Annual Conference.
    • CTLA Presentation - Adding Hands on Learning of Accounting Systems to Undergraduate and Graduate Coursework. (Also presented at Northeast AAA Conference in 2013).
    • Paper Presentation - Improving Critical Thinking through Effective Pedagogy for Online Coursework.
  • American Accounting Association – Northeast Regional Conference – October 2010
    • Paper Presentation - Benefits, Limitations and Best Practices of Online Coursework. Should Accounting Programs Jump on Board?
  • Conclave for Leadership Research and Analysis – Regent University - May 2010
    • Paper Presentation - Values Based Leadership and Leader Effectiveness.
  • Southern Management Association – November 2009
    • Paper Presentation – The Authentic, Ethical and Transformational Leadership Model (Research Study).
  • American Accounting Association – Northeast Regional Conference – November 2009.
    • CTLA – Poster Session - Incorporating Accounting Software Coursework into Accounting Curriculum.

Awards & Honors

Academic Honors and Awards

Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • 2022 Researcher of the Year - Rinker School of Business
  • 2022 Researcher of the Year - Palm Beach Atlantic University
Northeast Regional American Accounting Association Leadership Awards
  • President (Peer elected) –2016-2017
  • Conference Chair - 2015-2016
  • Paper Chair - 2014- 2015
Paper Awards – Paper Based on Regent University PhD Dissertation
  • 2016 - Outstanding Author Contribution - Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence
  • 2013 - American Accounting Association Best Research Paper (Recent PhD Graduate, Annual International Conference – Ethics Symposium)

Professional/Industry Honors and Awards

Certifications
  • Certified Public Accountant, New York State
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Certified Solution Partner
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Financial and Software Certified Consultant
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Distribution Software Certified Consultant
  • FRx Consolidation and Budgeting Software Certified Consultant
  • FRx Forecaster Software Certified Consultant
  • Paramount eProcurement Software Certified Consultant
  • Microsoft CAE Certified