Mark Maffett

Mark G. Maffett studies international financial reporting and the effects of disclosure regulation, with a focus on real effects, such as mine safety, healthcare prices, and foreign corruption. His papers have been published in the The Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Accounting Economics, the Journal of Accounting Research, the Review of Accounting Studies, Management Science and Foundations and Trends in Accounting.

Outside of academia, Maffett's professional experience extends to a stint at a healthcare-focused investment banking firm and work as an associate in auditing, assurance services, and financial consulting at a mid-tier accounting firm. During this time, he worked with firms in industries ranging from healthcare to NASCAR and gained an appreciation for the value of knowledge of financial accounting principles for managers, investors, bankers and financial analysts. He hopes that students who take his “Complex Deals” course will increase their sophistication as users of financial information by enhancing their ability to understand complex organizational structures.

Maffett earned his Ph.D. in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, he holds a M.A. in humanities from The University of Chicago, has dual degrees from Wake Forest University in accounting (M.S.A.) and in analytical finance (B.S.), and is also a licensed (inactive) C.P.A.

Mark enjoys hanging out with his daughters Maya and Emmy, exploring the Chicago restaurant scene, and drinking bourbon.

Research Interests

• Financial disclosure and capital markets; financial reporting transparency; liquidity; international accounting; institutional investors.

Publications

“The Real Effects of Mandated Information on Social Responsibility in Financial Reports: Evidence from Mine-Safety Records” (with Hans Christensen, Eric Floyd, and Lisa Liu), conditionally accepted, Journal of Accounting and Economics.

“Foreign Institutional Ownership and the Global Convergence of Financial Reporting Practices” (with Vivian Fang and Bohui Zhang), Journal of Accounting Research 53 (2015), 593-631.

“Post-Listing Performance and Private Sector Regulation: The Experience of the AIM” (with Joseph Gerakos and Mark Lang), Journal of Accounting & Economics 56 (2013), 189-215.

“Financial Reporting Opacity and Informed Trading by International Institutional Investors” Journal of Accounting & Economics 54 (2012), 201-220.

“Transparency, Liquidity, and Valuation: International Evidence on when Transparency Matters Most” (with Mark Lang and Karl Lins); Journal of Accounting Research 50 (2012), 729-774.

“Transparency and Liquidity Uncertainty in Crisis Periods” (with Mark Lang); Journal of Accounting & Economics 52 (2011), 101-125.

“Economic Effects of Transparency in International Equity Markets” (with Mark Lang); Foundations and Trends in Accounting 5 (2011), 175-241.