Robert Rankin, DBA, CMA

MBA for Veterans Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Army Veteran

As a former first-generation university student, Robert Rankin had no mentor to guide him in his post-academic career. Fortunately, he found his way, gaining nearly 20 years of management accounting experience in several Fortune 500 companies. Today, he wants to be that mentor for A&M-Commerce students. He brings his passion and hard-earned experiences into the classroom. When he’s not working with students, his research focuses on impacting current and future managerial accountants through academia and pedagogy (teaching cases).

A Conversation with Dr. Rankin

What draws you to your discipline?

I love the ability to influence business decision-makers through calculation of numbers and analyzing those numbers. Simply put, accounting, specifically management accounting, is fun.

Tell us about a project you are working on or have completed.

My current research is on the impact of career exploration on career choice. To encourage students complete a career exploration paper where they evaluate a job using six criteria (location, compensation, opportunity for advancement, challenge, culture & the chance to make a difference) occupational considerations. The goal of this research is to get students to hone in on their post-commencement employment plans.

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

East Texas A&M has big-school resources with a small-school feel. You are not just a number here. Your professors know your name and care about your academic, professional and personal success. There are so many opportunities to get involved if you are willing to embrace the university community. You will make friends for life.

What has been your favorite course to teach?

My favorite course to teach is ACCT 412 Cost Accounting. I love teaching this course because students can apply management accounting concepts to real world concepts to enhance their critical thinking skills.

Educational Background

• DBA, Advanced Accounting, Northcentral University, 2016
• MBA, Finance, Texas Tech University, 1990
• B.A., Korean, Defense Language Institute, 1987
• BBA, Marketing, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1985

Academic Positions

• Assistant Professor, East Texas A&M University, 2013-present
• Instructor, Paris Junior College, 2009-2013
• Adjunct Instructor, Northeast Texas Community College, 2006-2008

Awards and Honors

• First Place, American Accounting Association/Institute of Management Accountants Educational Teaching Case Competition for Troubled Waters: An Outsourced Ethical Dilemma, 2019
• Second Place, American Accounting Association/Institute of Management Accountants Educational Teaching Case Competition Teaching Case Competition for Higher Degrees of an Ethical Dilemma, 2017
• Third Place, American Accounting Association/Institute of Management Accountants Educational Teaching Case Competition Teaching Case Competition for The Chicken or Egg: Hatching a New and Innovative Introduction, 2016
• Outstanding Teacher, National Society of Leadership and Success, 2016

Research Interests

• Management Accounting
• Accounting Ethics
• Experiential Learning in Accounting

Professional Organizations

• American Accounting Association
• Institute of Management Accountants

Selected Publications

• Rankin, R., Driskill, T. Hartmann, C. & Cassle, J. (2023). Compromising your Morals: The Perils of New Beginnings as an Auditor, International Journal of Auditing, 1-14. DOI: 10.1111/ijau.12321
• Opara, M., Rankin, R., Ling, R. & Le, T. (2022). Public-Private Partnership in Alberta, Canada: A Path Dependence Perspective, Accounting Auditing and Accountability Journal, 35(9), 359-381. DOI: 10.1108/AAAJ-02-2022-568
• Rankin, R., Henderson, C., England, T & Opara, M. (2022). Crossroads: Which Wash is the Best Wash? Issues in Accounting Education, DOI 10.2308/ISSUES-2021-003
• Driskill, T. & Rankin, R. (2020). Cross-cultural Comparison of Ethical Reasoning of Students in China and the United States, Accounting Education- International Journal, DOI: 10.1080/09639284.2020.1760114

Featured Courses

ACCT 412 Cost Accounting
ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems