Mary E. Barth

Mary E Barth
Professor, Accounting
Contact Info
MaryE.Barth
The Joan E. Horngren Professor of Accounting
R. Michael and Mary Shanahan Faculty Fellow for 2017-2018
Academic Area: 
Accounting

Research Statement

Professor Mary Barth’s research focuses on financial accounting and reporting issues, particularly topics of interest to accounting standard setters. Such topics include using fair values in financial reporting, stock-based compensation, recognition versus disclosure, asset securitizations, asset revaluations, the information roles of accruals and cash flows, the relation between financial statement quality and cost of capital, and issues related to global financial reporting and convergence.

Bio

Mary E. Barth is the Joan E. Horngren Professor of Accounting at the Stanford University, Graduate School of Business (GSB).  Professor Barth was a member of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) from its inception in 2001 until 2009.  She served as the Academic Advisor to the IASB from 2009 until 2011.  Prior to joining the IASB, Professor Barth’s accounting standard setting activities included serving as a member of the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of CPAs and the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Prior to joining the faculty at Stanford in 1995, she was an Associate Professor at Harvard Business School and an audit partner in Arthur Andersen & Co.  Professor Barth’s research is published in a variety of journals and has won several awards, including the American Accounting Association’s (AAA) Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature Award, the AAA’s Competitive Manuscript Award, and, on three occasions each, the AAA/Deloitte Wildman Medal Award and the Best Paper Award of the Financial Accounting and Reporting Section of the AAA.

She is an Editor of The Accounting Review and the incoming Senior Editor.  She has been the Accounting Department Editor of Management Science and Co-editor of the Journal of Financial Reporting, and served on the Editorial Boards of several other academic journals.  Professor Barth is a recipient of the GSB’s MBA Distinguished Teaching Award, PhD Faculty Distinguished Service Award, and Robert J. Davis Award for a lifetime of service as a GSB faculty member.  She served as a Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the GSB from 2002 until 2009.

Professor Barth was President of the AAA in 2013-2014 and has served as its Vice President and as Chair of several AAA committees.  She also has served as Vice President of the International Association for Accounting Education and Research.  Professor Barth is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the AAA’s Financial Accounting and Reporting Section, the Outstanding International Accounting Educator Award of the AAA’s International Section, and is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia and was an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.  She chairs the External Audit Committee of the International Monetary Fund.  Professor Barth holds an AB from Cornell University, an MBA from Boston University, a PhD from Stanford University, and DSc(HC)s from Lancaster University and London Business School.

Academic Degrees

  • DSc(HC), Lancaster University, 2008
  • PhD, Stanford University, 1989
  • MBA, Boston University, 1975
  • AB, Cornell University, 1973

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford since 1995
  • Associate Professor, Harvard Business School, 1989-95

Professional Experience

  • Audit Partner, Arthur Andersen & Co., 1974-85
  • CPA, 1976

Awards and Honors

  • R. Michael and Mary Shanahan Faculty Fellow, 2017-2018
  • Deloitte Foundation 2016 Wildman Medal Award
  • BP Faculty Fellow in Global Management for 2014-2015
  • Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature Award, American Accounting Association/American Institute of CPAs, 2012
  • Deloitte Wildman Medal Award, American Accounting Association, 1996 & 2009
  • Competitive Manuscript Award, American Accounting Association, 1993
  • Robert J. Davis Award, Stanford University Graduate School of Business, 2013
  • PhD Faculty Distinguished Service Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2006
  • MBA Distinguished Teaching Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 1996
  • Outstanding International Accounting Educator Award, American Accounting Association - International Accounting Section, 2008

Publications

Journal Articles

Amir Amel-Zadeh, Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman. Review of Accounting Studies. September 2017, Vol. 22, Issue 3, Pages 1423-1454.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Daniel J. Taylor. The Accounting Review (In-Press). July 2017.
Mary E. Barth, Greg Clinch, Doron Israeli. Review of Accounting Studies. September 2016, Vol. 21, Issue 3, Pages 768-807.
Mary E. Barth. ABACUS. December 2015, Vol. 51, Issue 4, Pages 499-510.
Mary E. Barth, Christopher Nobes, Ann Tarca. Accounting and Business Research . September 25, 2015, Vol. 45, Issue 5, Pages 543-544.
Mary E. Barth. Accounting Perspectives. September 2015, Vol. 14, Issue 3, Pages 154-167.
Mary E. Barth, Eric C. So. The Accounting Review. September 2014, Vol. 89, Issue 5, Pages 1579-1607.
Mary E. Barth. Accounting Horizons. June 2014, Vol. 28, Issue 2, Pages 331-352.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Danqing Young, Zili Zhuang. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting. April 2014, Vol. 41, Issue 3-4, Pages 297-327.
Mary E. Barth, Doron Isreali. Journal of Accounting and Economics. December 2013, Vol. 56, Issue 2-3, Pages 178-188.
Mary E. Barth, Leslie D. Hodder, Stephen R. Stubben. Review of Accounting Studies. September 2013, Vol. 18, Issue 3, Pages 642-682.
Mary E. Barth. China Journal of Accounting Studies. April 27, 2013, Vol. 1, Issue 1, Pages 2013.
Mary E. Barth, Yaniv Konchitchki, Wayne R. Landsman. Journal of Accounting and Economics. April 2013, Vol. 55, Issue 2-3, Pages 206-224.
Mary E. Barth, Ian D. Gow, Daniel J. Taylor. Review of Accounting Studies. September 2012, Vol. 17, Issue 3, Pages 526-562.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Mark Lang, Christopher Williams. Journal of Accounting and Economics. August 2012, Vol. 54, Issue 1, Pages 68–93.
Mary E. Barth, Gaizka Ormazabal, Daniel J. Taylor. The Accounting Review. March 2012, Vol. 87, Issue 2, Pages 423-448.
Christopher S. Armstrong, Mary E. Barth, Alan D. Jagolinzer, Edward J. Riedl. The Accounting Review. January 2010, Vol. 85, Issue 1, Pages 31-61.
Mary E. Barth, Greg Clinch. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting. April 2009, Vol. 36, Issue 3-4, Pages 253–288.
Mary E. Barth. The Accounting Review. September 2008, Vol. 83, Issue 5, Pages 1159-1179.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Mark H. Lang. Journal of Accounting Research. June 2008, Vol. 46, Issue 3, Pages 467–498.
Mary E. Barth, Leslie D. Hodder, Stephen R. Stubben. The Accounting Review. May 2008, Vol. 83, Issue 3, Pages 629-664.
David Aboody, Mary E. Barth, Ron Kasznik. Review of Accounting Studies. December 2006, Vol. 11, Issue 4, Pages 429-461.
Mary E. Barth. Accounting Horizons. September 2006, Vol. 20, Issue 3, Pages 271-285.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, John R.M. Hand, Wayne R. Landsman. Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Finance. October 2005, Vol. 20, Issue 4, Pages 311-345.
David Aboody, Mary E. Barth, Ron Kasznik. Journal of Accounting Research. May 2004, Vol. 42, Issue 2, Pages 123–150.
David Aboody, Mary E. Barth, Ron Kasznik. The Accounting Review. April 2004, Vol. 79, Issue 2, Pages 251-275.
Mary E. Barth, Amy P. Hutton. Review of Accounting Studies. March 2004, Vol. 9, Issue 1, Pages 59-96.
Mary E. Barth, Greg Clinch, Toshi Shibano. Journal of Accounting Research. September 2003, Vol. 41, Issue 4, Pages 581–609.
Mary E. Barth, Ron Kasznik, Maureen McNichols. Journal of Accounting Research. June 2001, Vol. 39, Issue 1, Pages 1–34.
Mary E. Barth, Donald P. Cram, Karen K. Nelson. The Accounting Review. January 2001, Vol. 76, Issue 1, Pages 27-58.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Wayne R. Landsman. Journal of Accounting and Economics. 2001, Vol. 31, Issue 1–3, Pages 77–104.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Richard J. Rendleman Jr.. Accounting Horizons. December 2000, Vol. 14, Issue 4, Pages 455-479.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, John R.M. Hand, Wayne R. Landsman. Review of Accounting Studies. December 1999, Vol. 4, Issue 3-4, Pages 205-229.
Mary E. Barth, Ron Kasznik. Journal of Accounting and Economics. December 1999, Vol. 28, Issue 2, Pages 211–241.
Mary E. Barth, Greg Clinch, Toshi Shibano. Journal of Accounting and Economics. January 1999, Vol. 26, Issue 1-3, Pages 201–235.
David Aboody, Mary E. Barth, Ron Kasznik. Journal of Accounting and Economics. January 1999, Vol. 26, Issue 1-3, Pages 149–178.
Mary E. Barth, John A. Elliott, Mark W. Finn. Journal of Accounting Research. 1999, Vol. 37, Issue 2, Pages 387-413.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Wayne R. Landsman. Journal of Accounting and Economics. February 26, 1998, Vol. 25, Issue 1, Pages 1-34.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Wayne R. Landsman. Journal of Accounting and Economics. February 1998, Vol. 25, Issue 1, Pages 1–34.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Richard J. Rendleman, Jr.. The Accounting Review. January 1998, Vol. 73, Issue 1, Pages 73-102.
Mary E. Barth, Michael B. Clement, George Foster, Ron Kasznik. Review of Accounting Studies. 1998, Vol. 3, Issue 1-2, Pages 41-68.
Mary E. Barth, Greg Clinch. Journal of Accounting Research. 1998, Vol. 36, Studies on Enhancing the Financial Reporting Model, Pages 199-233.
Mary E. Barth, Maureen McNichols, G. Peter Wilson. Review of Accounting Studies. March 1997, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Pages 35-64.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Wayne R. Landsman. The Accounting Review. October 1996, Vol. 71, Issue 4, Pages 513-537.
Mary E. Barth, Greg Clinch. Contemporary Accounting Research. 1996, Vol. 13, Issue 1, Pages 135–170.
Mary E. Barth, Sanjay Kallapur. Contemporary Accounting Research. 1996, Vol. 13, Issue 2, Pages 527–567.
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, James M. Wahlen. Journal of Banking and Finance. June 1995, Vol. 19, Issue 3-4, Pages 577–605.
Mary E. Barth, Christine M. Murphy. Accounting Horizons. December 1994, Vol. 8, Issue 4, Pages 1-22.
Mary E. Barth. The Accounting Review. January 1994, Vol. 69, Issue 1, Pages 1-25.
Mary E. Barth, Maureen McNichols. Journal of Accounting Research. 1994, Vol. 32, Studies on Accounting, Financial Disclosures, and the Law, Pages 177-209.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Wayne R. Landsman. Financial Analysts Journal. January 1993, Vol. 49, Issue 1, Pages 18-26.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Wayne R. Landsman. Journal of Accounting and Economics. March 1992, Vol. 15, Issue 1, Pages 27–62.
Mary E. Barth. The Accounting Review. July 1991, Vol. 66, Issue 3, Pages 433-463.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Christopher H. Stinson. The Accounting Review. January 1991, Vol. 66, Issue 1, Pages 56-66.
Mary E. Barth, William H. Beaver, Mark A. Wolfson. Financial Analysts Journal. 1990, Vol. 46, Issue 3, Pages 53-60.

Book Chapters

Mary E. Barth. Market Discipline Across Countries and Industries. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2004, Pages 323-334.

Working Papers

Stock Price Management and Share Issuance: Evidence from Equity Warrants | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Kurt H. Gee, Doron Isreali, Ron Kasznik, April 272017
Bank Earnings and Regulatory Capital Management using Available for Sale Securities | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Javier Gomez-Biscarri, Ron Kasznik, Germán López-Espinosa, April 2017
The Economic Consequences Associated with Integrated Report Quality: Capital Market and Real Effects | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Steven F. Cahan, Lily Chen, Elmar R. Venter, April 2017
Evolution in Value Relevance of Accounting Information | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Ken Li, Charles G. McClure, March 142017
Asymmetric Timeliness and the Resolution of Investor Disagreement and Uncertainty at Earnings Announcements | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Vivek Raval, Sean Wang, March 2017
The Contribution of Bank Regulation and Fair Value Accounting to Procyclical Leverage | PDF
Amir Amel-Zadeh, Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, February 2017
The JOBS Act and Information Uncertainty in IPO Firms | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Daniel J. Taylor, January 2017
Conservatism and the Information Content of Earnings | PDF
Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, Vivek Raval, Sean Wang, October 2014
Procyclical Leverage: Bank Regulation or Fair Value Accounting?
Amir Amel-Zadeh, Mary E. Barth, Wayne R. Landsman, October 2014
Dynamics of Earnings Announcement News: Evidence from Option Prices
Mary E. Barth, Travis L. Johnson, Eric C. So2011

Teaching

Degree Courses

2017-18

The purpose of this PhD seminar is to facilitate your conception and execution of substantive individual research in financial reporting. It provides a vehicle for supplementing and integrating your knowledge of basic research tools and methods,...

2016-17

The purpose of this PhD seminar is to facilitate your conception and execution of substantive individual research in financial reporting. It provides a vehicle for supplementing and integrating your knowledge of basic research tools and methods,...

2015-16

This course is designed to enhance students' understanding of current financial reporting issues through a detailed analysis and comparison of U.S. and International Financial Reporting Standards. The course will cover the development of...

The purpose of this PhD seminar is to facilitate your conception and execution of substantive individual research in financial reporting. It provides a vehicle for supplementing and integrating your knowledge of basic research tools and methods,...

Service to the Profession

  • President, American Accounting Association, 2013-present
  • Accounting Department Editor, Management Science, 2009-present
  • Member, International Accounting Standards Board, 2001-2009
  • Vice President, International Association for Accounting Education and Research, 2009-2011

In the Media

The Truth About Stock Options
CBS MarketWatch, January 2006
Treasury & Risk Management, July 1, 2005
California CPA, July 2, 2003
Expert in Stock Option Accounting Thrust from Academia into Limelight
San Jose Mercury News, September 7, 2002
Los Angeles Times, August 2, 2000

Insights by Stanford Business

October 1, 2006
Despite an uproar from corporations, new financial reporting rules actually favored by shareholders, research shows.

School News

May 11, 2017
In three separate ceremonies this spring, students in the MBA, MSx, and PhD programs lauded Professors Charles Lee, Mary Barth, and Adina Sterling, respectively.
June 1, 2006
Students honored professors George Parker, Mary Barth, and Peter DeMarzo as 2006 recipients of three awards for outstanding faculty members.