Professor Amanda Dempsey, senior director at the UJ School of Accounting.
At the end of December 2023 Professor Amanda Dempsey, senior director at the UJ School of Accounting, will be retiring after a long and impactful academic career. ‘I can truly say I have achieved many wonderful professional milestones and have made a significant impact on the lives of others,’ says Professor Dempsey.
Building a nation by educating a nation
Through her passion, Professor Dempsey has made a real impact on generations of students, their families, staff, and society in general by leading ethically with integrity and being accountable.
Her strong leadership track record and focus on results have meant that she has had extraordinary opportunities to engage with national and international academics and play significant roles on professional boards and committees.
She has always kept abreast of developments in the accounting education field and was able to consistently influence important aspects of international accounting education standards. ‘I have always been committed to ongoing professional development as a cornerstone of professional practice.’
She was appointed to the board of the IRBA (Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors) as a ministerial appointment. During this time she also represented the IRBA on the consultative advisory group (CAG) of the International Accounting Education Standard Board (IAESB) of the International Federation of Accountants for nine years.
‘It was a huge honour to serve on a committee that is instrumental in standard setting in accounting education at an international level. To my knowledge, I was only the second academic from South Africa who has had this honour.’
Between 2011 and 2018 she had the honour of another ministerial appointment to the board of the Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting, and other Financial Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) by the Minister of Higher Education.
For her, however, her appointment as dean of UJ’s Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences was a personal highlight in her career. ‘Becoming the dean and leader of the growing faculty was an honour and a privilege.’
In the 11 years Professor Dempsey served in this position, growth in student numbers on mainstream qualifications increased from 7 685 in 2006 to 10 750 in 2017.
‘Being able to lead a transforming faculty toward a new vision, to guide (and be guided) through change and challenges, and to have the ability, responsibility, and accountability to make a difference in the lives of individuals, has been remarkable. Transformation has become a steadfast endeavour throughout my career.’
She believes transformation remains a key success factor. ‘Ultimately, by educating and empowering accounting professionals at all levels and from all backgrounds across South Africa, I have been able to make an impact on individuals and broader society.’
She has worked against inequality – always endeavouring to make a positive impact on the economic and poverty divide. ‘I strive to understand and help people through encouragement, empowerment, and mentoring, encouraging research and leadership upliftment.’
Her role as an educator and a leader in innovative accounting education delivery has had a significant impact on creating and developing future leaders in the accounting field and for the economy in general.
In response to the changing nature of the educational environment, Professor Dempsey also played a crucial, innovative role in initiating the UJ online qualifications programme.
‘With the implementation of online qualifications for the College of Business and Economics (CBE), I experienced a sense of triumph borne out of forethought, planning, and innovation.
It became a huge bonus for the faculty and university, especially when the COVID pandemic struck.’
This was a fundamental shift in the landscape of higher education. ‘Physical boundaries are no longer a hurdle in getting quality accounting education,’ she explains.
In October 2020 Professor Dempsey was recognised as one of the ‘People who changed the profession’ in Accountancy SA.
Professor Dempsey walks the talk when it comes to ethics and ethical behaviour. ‘I embrace ethical leadership principles and live by the UJ values − imagination, conversation, regeneration, and ethical foundation. I strive for mastery no matter what I do.’
