The Accounting and Law Area in the Orfalea College of Business at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, academic year position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the primary area of accounting beginning August 17, 2026. The successful candidate will join our tenure-track system in which all faculty are expected to be outstanding teachers, maintain a consistent and productive scholarly research program, and participate actively in the area, college and university service activities.
Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated. Rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience of the individual selected. The anticipated hiring range is $140,200 to $155,000.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in accounting from an accredited institution and must be academically qualified under AACSB standards. The Ph.D. should be awarded by the time of appointment in Fall 2026. Applicants must demonstrate a record of high-quality research published in peer-reviewed journals, or clear evidence of the potential to establish such a record, as well as evidence of (or potential for) excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to those with expertise in the area of auditing or accounting information systems, but we welcome applicants with varying levels of experience from all areas of expertise in accounting.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. It is also expected that faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities. At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.
Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer or Summer/Fall) out of three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Accounting and Law Area within the Orfalea College of Business is dedicated to preparing career-ready leaders who pair an understanding of how businesses operate with strong interpersonal skills, enabling them to contribute immediately to the workplace and navigate complex organizational challenges with fairness, empathy, and data-driven insight. The successful candidate will join a faculty who are both accomplished teachers and scholars, with research published in journals such as Journal of Accounting Research, Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, Journal of Information Systems, Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Issues in Accounting Education, and Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research. Learn more about the Accounting concentration at https://orfalea.calpoly.edu/undergraduate-programs/concentrations/accounting and more about our faculty at https://orfalea.calpoly.edu/about-us/directory/accounting-and-law-academic-area.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates must submit the following documents:
- Cover Letter that describes teaching and research interests
- Current curriculum vitae
- Universal Student Success Statement - Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including any evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here. Please articulate your teaching philosophy, approach, and goals within this statement.
- Research Plan
- Unofficial transcript from institution awarding highest degree
Applicants should be prepared to provide the names and email addresses of three professional references when completing the online faculty application. Official, sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment.
Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Cal Poly SLO does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.
Review of applications will begin December 12, 2025. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. For questions, please contact: Dr. Kim Westermann, kdwester@calpoly.edu.