Ken Trotman recognised in Australia Day honours

​Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, The Hon. David Hurley has named Scientia Professor Ken Trotman a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2020 Australia Day Honours List. Professor Trotman was officially honoured for his significant service to education, particularly in accounting.

"Researchers take on projects because they want to answer questions and address problems they think are important," Professor Trotman said.

"Much of my working life has been spent on these research projects, mentoring PhD students and new researchers, and supporting the accounting research community. These are activities that I enjoy and I am very grateful for the recognition of this work through this award."

Trotman began his career with UNSW in 1974, as a lecturer for the Faculty of Commerce and Economics (now known as UNSW Business School). He is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and CPA Australia. Trotman progressed through the ranks to become Head of the School of Accounting from 1991 – 2000.

"The School of Accounting is a very special place to work; it has an outstanding international research reputation over many decades. It is a collegial School with many research teams having a long-term history of working together," Trotman said.

"It has been wonderful to see many of our professors and associate professors in the School develop from new lecturers to world-class researchers."

In a true-to-life example of that professional development, in 2001 Trotman was successfully nominated to the role of Scientia Professor; an esteemed academic who is known amongst their peers for an impressive portfolio of international research success.

"I could only do this research in an environment where it is valued and supported. UNSW Business School has supported me for many years, most recently though as leader of the Audit Research Network," Trotman said.

In the Audit Research Network, Trotman and his colleagues investigate the quality of audits that affect the integrity of capital markets. Specifically, they consider the ways to improve auditor judgments, the role of audit committees, the economics of audit markets, inspection processes, the impact of audit and other assurance reports. Trotman's research currently provides evidence to Australian and UK parliamentary inquiries into capital market regulation.

In addition to his research, Trotman co-founded the International Symposium on Audit Research (ISAR) Conference and is currently Chair of the Scientific Committee. ISAR serves to promote high quality and useful audit research, including research that deals with issues of professional judgements and the economics of auditing.

Trotman has many other remarkable achievements, including his induction to the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame. The American Accounting Association (AAA) awarded him a Notable (Lifetime) Award Contribution in Behavioural Accounting Literature and a Notable Contributions to the Auditing Literature Award.

Trotman is currently an editor for the Accounting, Organizations and Society Journal, and has previously edited Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory.

The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. A Member of the Order of Australia (AM) is recognised for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.

Candidate nominations for the 2021 Australia Day Honours List are currently open.