Ahmad Abdo-Salloum | Auditing | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ahmad Abdo-Salloum | Auditing | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ahmad Abdo-Salloum, University of Balamand, Lebanon

Ahmad Abdo-Salloum is a Lebanese accounting academic and seasoned taxation auditor with over a decade of teaching and consultancy experience in higher education. A dynamic Course Coordinator at Lebanese International University (2017–2023), he currently serves as a Lecturer of Accounting at the University of Balamand, among other institutions. Known for his passion for pedagogy, digital literacy in accounting, and leadership in academic settings, he also contributed significantly to tax policy development through his role as a VAT & Income Tax Auditor at the Lebanese Ministry of Finance (2009–2023). He combines academic rigor with community engagement, having organized numerous student-led initiatives.

👨‍🏫 Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Ahmad is currently pursuing a PhD in Accounting at the Lebanese University (2022–2025). He holds a Master of Science in Accounting & Finance (2022) and an Executive MBA in Accounting & Audit (2010) from the same institution. Additionally, he has earned certifications in green economy skills (Deloitte, 2024) and Training of Trainers in STEAM and Divergent Thinking (Tatweer Baladna & US Embassy, 2022), reflecting his commitment to sustainability and educational innovation.

💼 Experience

Ahmad has a robust academic portfolio that includes lecturing roles across multiple Lebanese universities: University of Balamand (2023–present), Azm University (2023–2024), Beirut Arab University (2022–2023), and Lebanese International University (2013–2023). As Course Coordinator at LIU, he led curriculum design and student engagement projects. He also served as a consultant and trainer with the European Institute of Cooperation and Development (IECD), and contributed to public financial governance as an auditor with the Ministry of Finance for nearly 15 years.

🔬 Research Interests

Ahmad’s research focuses on the intersection of digital transformation and accounting education, tax evasion, fraud theory, and AI adoption in business curricula. His scholarly interests bridge academic innovation and practical applications, particularly regarding professional skepticism, ethics, and student digital readiness.

🏆 Awards & Achievements

Ahmad’s excellence in teaching was recognized by the Lebanese International University with the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2015, where he was voted best business instructor across nine campuses. In 2025, the University of Balamand honored him with the Champion of Accounting Award for his pedagogical contributions and academic leadership.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Accounting Students’ Technology Readiness, Perceptions, and Digital Competence Toward Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Accounting Curricula

Fraud Triangle Theory and Income Tax Evasion in Lebanon

Massimo Contrafatto | Accounting And Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Massimo Contrafatto  –  Accounting And Sustainability – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Contrafatto’s long-standing scholarly dedication, his leadership in internationally funded and collaborative research initiatives, and his sustained contribution to advancing sustainability and ethical accounting practices strongly align with the criteria for the Best Researcher Award. His interdisciplinary methods, commitment to social impact, and record of scholarly excellence position him as a leading figure in sustainability accounting

University of Sussex | United Kingdom

Profile
scopus

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Dr. Massimo Contrafatto began his academic journey with distinction, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, in July 2001 with a perfect score of 110/110. His dedication to excellence in business management and accounting was evident early on. This commitment led him to pursue a PhD in Social and Environmental Accounting and Reporting at the same university. During his doctoral studies, he spent an intensive 21 months as a visiting PhD researcher at Glasgow University, engaging deeply with the Department of Accounting and Finance and the Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR). Mentored by renowned academics such as Prof. R. Gray and Prof. K. McPhail, Dr. Contrafatto focused on understanding corporate motivations behind social and environmental reporting—an area that would shape his lifelong research agenda.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Dr. Contrafatto’s professional academic career began as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Bergamo and the University of St. Andrews. He collaborated with eminent scholars like Prof. Jan Bebbington and Prof. John Burns to explore sustainability reporting within social enterprises. His early academic positions included Assistant Professor and later Associate Professor at the University of Bergamo, where he taught a wide range of accounting and sustainability courses. From 2016 to 2021, he held a tenured position as Associate Professor in Accounting and Accountability. In January 2022, Dr. Contrafatto was appointed Reader in Accounting for Sustainability at the University of Sussex Business School. He also serves as Director of the PhD Programme in Accounting and Finance and as the Convenor of the Research Mobilizing Group in “Sustainability, Accounting, Finance and Economics” (SAFE RMG). Additionally, he maintains honorary affiliations with the University of Dundee and has held teaching roles at Strathclyde and St. Andrews Universities.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Accounting And Sustainability

A leading figure in sustainability accounting, Dr. Contrafatto has made significant contributions to the field of social and environmental accounting. His research encompasses sustainability transformation, decision-making, strategic management accounting, and the institutionalization of sustainability reporting. His interdisciplinary projects unite researchers across Europe, including those at the University Autonoma of Madrid, University of Urbino, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Sussex. His ongoing projects—such as “Identities, Accounting and Decision-Making for Sustainable Transformation” and “Accounting and Accountability for COVID”—demonstrate his commitment to addressing real-world issues through accounting research. His work is often characterized by a qualitative approach and an emphasis on accountability, ethics, and corporate transparency.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Contrafatto’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He received the prestigious AIDEA Award for an outstanding research article in 2014 from the Italian Management, Accounting, and Finance Academic Association. His work continues to influence both academia and industry, and he regularly acts as a PhD examiner in Italy and the UK. His national academic qualification for full professorship in Italy further underscores his academic standing.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Over the years, Dr. Contrafatto has shaped the academic landscape of sustainability accounting and business ethics. Through his roles as lecturer, supervisor, mentor, and programme director, he has inspired a new generation of researchers and practitioners. His modules—ranging from “Contemporary Issues in Accounting” to “International Corporate Reporting” and “Advanced Qualitative Research Methods”—have empowered students to critically engage with pressing issues in accounting and sustainability. Moreover, his participation in international research projects and his leadership in organizing academic events, such as the 2023 Research Capacity Building Workshop at the University of Sussex, have contributed to the global academic community’s growth and cohesion.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Dr. Contrafatto’s legacy lies in his unwavering pursuit of socially responsible accounting practices. He has helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, emphasizing sustainability transformation and ethical governance in corporate environments. His mentorship of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers ensures that his academic values will continue to thrive. Looking ahead, Dr. Contrafatto aims to deepen his engagement with sustainability transformation in accounting, potentially influencing public policy and business practices on a broader scale. His multidisciplinary research and collaborative spirit are expected to yield further impactful work in both academic and societal contexts.

Conclusion

Dr. Massimo Contrafatto stands as a pioneer in the field of accounting for sustainability. His early academic excellence, expansive professional endeavors, and groundbreaking research reflect a profound commitment to ethical, transparent, and socially responsible accounting. As a teacher, mentor, and scholar, his influence spans continents and academic generations. With ongoing projects focused on sustainability and identity in decision-making, Dr. Contrafatto is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of strategic management, accounting, and corporate governance for years to come.

📚Publications

Audit society, organisational response and (de-)coupling

 Authors: Contrafatto, Massimo, S., Moggi, Sara, D., Gervasio, Daniele, D., Montani, Damiano

Journals: An Italian story

The (non)enactment of intelligent accountability through stakeholder engagement

Authors: Bianchi, Lara, E.E., Passetti, Emilio Emilio, M., Contrafatto, Massimo

Journals: A micro-processual perspective