Cathy Jun: A Passion and Purpose in Accounting Research

By Eric Hollenbeck

Cathy Jun’s journey into the world of accounting and academia is one of dedication, a thirst for knowledge, and a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact in the business world. At the Carson College of Business, Jun embodies the power of curiosity and the relentless pursuit of excellence, not only in her career but also in her life.

Born in Buffalo, New York, and having spent most of her early life in the United States and later in South Korea during adolescence, Jun developed a unique multicultural vantage point, one that she leverages in her research and academic endeavors.

“Growing up in such a diverse environment taught me the value of understanding different perspectives,” Jun says of her formative years.

Practical insights inform research

Jun’s early life and academic path were profoundly influenced by her family, especially her father, a finance professor. This early exposure to academia not only fostered her intellectual curiosity but also revealed how an academic can contribute to the accounting profession in meaningful ways.

“I don’t want to do research just for the sake of it. I want my work to matter, to contribute something of value to the business world,” she says. This philosophy has guided her research interests, which lie at the intersection of audit and managerial accounting, focusing on aspects of the organizational culture that deter fraud and motivate employees.

Before joining the doctoral program at WSU, Jun gained valuable insights into external and internal audit during her tenure as a former audit senior for Deloitte and Touché, LLP and former senior internal auditor for Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia.

Experiences from practice have enriched her understanding of the practical implications of her research, which explores how individuals’ behaviors are influenced within organizations and how this, in turn, affects audit practices and financial reporting.

A supportive academic setting

Jun’s decision to join the PhD program at Carson College was influenced by a desire for a diverse and flexible research environment.

“WSU stood out because of its faculty’s broad research interests and the freedom to pursue my own,” she notes. Her choice was further validated by the supportive and collegial atmosphere she found in Pullman.

As she looks towards the future, Jun’s aspirations extend beyond academia. She envisions a career where she can continue to bridge the gap between theory and practice through her behavioral accounting research.

“I hope to inspire future generations of accountants and researchers, just as I have been inspired by those who came before me,” she says.