William H. Beaver

Bio

William H. Beaver is widely recognized for his innovative research on how accounting information in corporate financial statements affects security prices. He was among the first to investigate financial ratios as predictors of business failure. His recent work has centered on public policy issues connected with government regulation of corporate financial disclosure.

Academic Degrees

• MBA and PhD, University of Chicago, 1965
• BBA, University of Notre Dame, 1962
• CPA, 1969 (Illinois)

Academic Appointments

• At Stanford University since 1969
• Assistant Professor, University of Chicago, 1965-69

Awards and Honors

• Teaching Excellence Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business, PhD Student Program, 2004
• Teaching Excellence Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Sloan Student Program, 1999
• AAA Outstanding Educator Award, American Accounting Association, 1990
• Wildman Award for Outstanding Research, American Accounting Association, 1985
• Distinguished Teaching Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA Students, 1985

Insights by Stanford Business

writtenAre Earnings Reports Obsolete?

October 6, 2015

It’s easier than ever to find up-to-the-minute data on companies. So why are investors in love with old-fashioned financial statements?

writtenBeware: Corporate Financial Statements Decline in Predictive Value

March 15, 2013

New research explores the value of financial and market data to ascertaining the likelihood of bankruptcy.

writtenWhy You Shouldn't Discount Financial Statements

November 1, 2005

New research shows that financial ratios are still quite effective at predicting bankruptcy.

writtenResearch: The Bond-Rating System Isn't Broken

April 1, 2005

Certified agencies may "miss" based on short-term news, but they still serve their purpose for large institutional investors.