Elicia Cowins, Ph.D., CPA

Elicia Cowins, Ph.D., CPA (Illinois, Inactive) is the Senior Manager, Research at the Center for Audit Quality. In this role, Elicia manages and supports research projects related to the organization’s strategic objectives and initiatives.  This includes helping to chart the strategic direction for the CAQ’s research agenda, reviewing extant research on key policy priorities, identifying emerging issues facing audit firms and investors, and assisting in the development of technical content.

Before joining the CAQ, Elicia was an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Washington and Lee University.  While there, she taught introductory and advanced accounting courses; conducted capital markets research in the areas of accounting for derivatives, financial and regulatory reporting for financial institutions, and standard setting; and, contributed to university-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Prior to her transition to academia, Elicia accumulated ten years of financial reporting experience for private and public companies in print media/publishing and software development industries.

Elicia holds a PhD in Accounting from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, a Master’s in Accounting from Florida State University, and a BS in Accounting from Florida A&M University.