Bob Walker

Professor Bob Walker was a Professor of Accounting at the University of Sydney until his retirement from full time academic work in 2011 and is now Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Sydney.

He is the author or joint author of six books and monographs and more than 70 articles in academic or professional journals or chapters in books. His specialist interests include public sector finances, corporate regulation, and corporate governance.

In parallel with academic activities, Prof Walker’s professional involvements and community activities include serving for six years as the chairman or deputy chairman of the Australian Shareholders’ Association. He was a foundation member of the Accounting Standards Review Board.

He has served as a consultant to a range of organisations in the public and private sectors. Public sector consultancies include the National Companies and Securities Commission, the Australian Securities Commission, the Australian Stock Exchange, Treasury Departments in NSW and the Northern Territory, and Public Accounts Committees in NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Many of his activities have involved working with government in policy development. His work with the NCSC led to the most fundamental change in the regulation of corporate disclosure requirements since the 1940s.
He was a member of the Companies and Securities Advisory Committee to the Commonwealth Attorney-General, and a member of the advisory committee to the Commonwealth Auditor-General.

From 1995-99 he served as Chairman of the NSW Council on the Cost of Government, an agency established by the NSW Government to review state finances and develop proposals for reform. In that capacity he reported directly to the Premier and the NSW Parliament.

From 1993-97 he served as a director of a Commonwealth statutory authority, and from 1999-2007 as chairman of a NSW state-owned body, the Superannuation Administration Corporation.

His research interests include Accounting standards and standard setting, Audit compliance, Corporate governance in the public and private sectors, Corporate reporting and Financial accounting and reporting.