By Lacie Blankenship
Bin Li, Associate Professor of Accounting, is one of 6 new full-time faculty members joining Vanderbilt Business this fall. Li earned his PhD in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Duke University. Before joining Owen, he was an Assistant Professor of Accounting and a Bauer Research Fellow at The University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business. Li also previously held positions at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Dallas. Li is an archival financial accounting researcher whose scholarship falls into 3 primary streams: accounting standards and disclosure, asset pricing, and stakeholder-firm relationships. His research is published in top-tier accounting and business journals and has received multiple national awards, including the Notable Contribution to Accounting Literature Award and the FARS Best Paper Award.
Professor Bin Li
Why Vanderbilt Business?
Vanderbilt is renowned for its strong academics and vibrant campus life. More importantly, it offers a welcoming culture and a collaborative environment that supports students and faculty in their academic and professional growth.
Can you tell us about your research?
In my view, accounting is not only the “language of business” but also the “information hub” in every company. Through accounting, we can understand how a business operates and performs. Over the past decades, the accounting field has rapidly evolved with advancements in information technology, such as AI and big data, and the increasing demand for firms’ nonfinancial information, such as ESG performance. My recent research focuses primarily on leveraging the power of AI and big data to generate important business insights and evaluate firms’ environmental performance and sustainability.
What is a course you’re particularly excited to teach?
Any and all accounting classes! In my classroom, I like to connect accounting topics to reality; I also do this with my research. I want students to understand why accounting matters to various stakeholders. I will teach Financial Reporting I (MGT 6410) to MBA, MS Finance, and MAcc students at Owen this year.
What should the Vanderbilt Business community know about you?
I think of us as if we’re a big family at Vanderbilt. Some people like to put themselves into specific areas like I’m in accounting, there’s finance, marketing, etc. I think we’re all in business; we have common interests, and it’s always enjoyable talking to people with different backgrounds because that gives you a new perspective and stimulates thoughts and creativity. A lot of business is about communication. Feel free to say hello next time anyone sees me, and we will start a conversation!
What excites you about living in Nashville?
A lot of things! The people here are warm. My family and I like to explore a lot; there’s great food, culture, different places, and the natural environment. We love music, too.
What are you reading or do you have book recommendations?
For people interested in ESG, climate change, and climate risk, Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters by Steven E. Koonin is a great book. It challenges your pre-existing thoughts, is based on scientific evidence, and inspires interesting thoughts.
I recommend Undelivered by Philip F. Rubio to anyone who likes history. This book discusses the Great Postal Strike of 1970 and gives insight into the political climate at that time. I’m an empirical researcher, and this book encouraged my thoughts about accounting and inspired a research project of mine.
Outside of work, what are you interested in?
I’m a sports enthusiast and recently picked up pickleball with my family, which has become a fun weekend tradition. In the past, I played a lot of basketball, soccer, and did quite a bit of running, but it’s been harder to stay consistent as life gets busier each year. Still, I always prefer playing sports with my family whenever I can. Spending time with family and friends is something I truly enjoy
