Dr Ifedapo Francis Awolowo PhD, MA, MSc, MRes, HDA, PGD, BSc, SFHEA, CMBE, CFE, CPA, FAIA
Senior Lecturer in Financial and Management Accounting/ ASPIRE Project Lead
Summary
Senior Lecturer in Financial & Management Accounting/ ASPIRE Project Lead.
About
Dr. Ifedapo Francis Awolowo is an accomplished scholar with a wealth of academic achievements. With 7 degrees, including a distinguished PhD in Forensic Accounting, Dr. Awolowo has established himself as a leading authority in his field. Currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in Financial and Management Accounting at Sheffield Hallam University, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his students.
Dr. Awolowo's professional credentials are impressive, holding both the CFE credential and CPA designation, underscoring his commitment to excellence in the realm of accounting. His dedication to education is further highlighted by his status as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and his certification as a Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE). He is also recognised as a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants (FAIA), symbolising his international standing in the field.
As the Principal Investigator and Project Lead of the groundbreaking Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence (ASPIRE), funded by OFS/UKRI, Dr. Awolowo is actively involved in a transformative initiative. ASPIRE is designed to enhance access and participation of Black scholars at the doctoral level through personalised mentorship, a testament to his dedication to inclusivity and diversity in academia.
Dr. Awolowo is not only a scholar but also a sought-after speaker who regularly delivers keynote addresses at conferences. His research spans a wide spectrum, encompassing Forensic Accounting, Audit Failures, Occupational Fraud and Abuse, as well as Race and Ethnicity. With a rich history of quality publications in these areas, he has significantly contributed to advancing knowledge in his field.
Beyond academia, Dr. Awolowo is a tireless advocate for the anti-racist university agenda. He actively champions this cause by conducting anti-racist workshops within the higher education sector. Dr. Ifedapo Francis Awolowo is not just a scholar; he is a trailblazer and visionary leader dedicated to shaping a more inclusive and equitable future in higher education.
Lecturer
Teaching
Department of Finance, Accounting and Business Systems
Sheffield Business School
Courses taught:
- MSc Forensic Accounting
- MSc Accounting & Finance
- MSc Financial Management
- BA Accounting & Finance
- BA Forensic Accounting
Modules taught:
- Forensic Accounting
- Accounting
- Finance
Research
Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence (ASPIRE)
- MMU
- Advance HE
- OFS/UKRI
Publications
Key Publications
Fletcher, N., Awolowo, F., & Garrow, N. (2021). Fraud Detection and Prevention: A Review of the Latest Developments in U.K. Audit. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing, 17 (1), 1-13. http://doi.org/10.17265/1548-6583/2021.01.001
Garrow, N., Somerset, N., Awolowo, I., & Clark, M. (2019). Trust: The critical factor in theory and practice, from banks to cakes. In British Academy of Management, Aston University Birmingham, 3 September 2019 - 5 September 2019. BAM: https://www.bam.ac.uk/corporate-governance-0
Jamieson, D., Awolowo, I., Garrow, N., Winfield, J., & Bhaiyat, F. (2019). Financial shenanigans: The importance of anti-fraud education. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 8 (3), 58-63. http://doi.org/10.22495/jgr_v8_i3_p5
Garrow, N., Awolowo, I., & Growe, G.A. (2018). Annual reports: Fact or fiction? Are there governance implications? Presented at: BAM2018: Driving productivity in uncertain and challenging times, Bristol, 2018
Kesseba, K., Awolowo, I., & Clark, M. (2018). Qualitative research methodology: a neo-empiricist perspective. Driving productivity in uncertain and challenging times. http://conference.bam.ac.uk/BAM2018/htdocs/conference_papers.php?track_name=Research%20Methodology
AWOLOWO, F. (2018). Qualitative Research Methodology: A Neo-empiricist Perspective. British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference.
Awolowo, I., Garrow, N., Clark, M., & Chan, D. (2018). Accounting scandals: beyond corporate governance. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing, 14 (8), 399-407. http://doi.org/10.17265/1548-6583/2018.08.001
Garrow, N., & Awolowo, I. (2018). Palmer & Harvey: A Case of Governance and Audit Failure. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing, 14 (7). http://doi.org/10.17265/1548-6583/2018.07.004
Awolowo, I., Garrow, N., Clark, M., & Chan, D. (2018). Accounting scandals: Beyond corporate governance. SSRN Electronic Journal. http://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3101057
Clark, M., & Awolowo, F. (2017). Towards a Forensic Accounting Paradigm: A Neo-Empiricist Research Agenda. In British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference, University of Warwick. Coventry: British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference
AWOLOWO, F. (2017). Corporate Accounting Frauds: Are Auditors to be blamed? Presented at: Sheffield Business School Doctoral Conference, Sheffield
AWOLOWO, F. (2016). Financial Statement Fraud: Updating the Accounting Paradigm to Forensic Accounting.
AWOLOWO, F. (2016). Financial Statement Fraud: The Need for a Paradigm Shift to Forensic Accounting. In 7th Annual Mid-Year Forensic Accounting Research Conference, American Accounting Association, North Carolina. North Carolina: Forensic Accounting Research Conference
AWOLOWO, F. (2016). Financial Statement Fraud: The Need for a Paradigm Shift in Accounting. International Conference on Accounting and Finance (ICAF).
AWOLOWO, F. (2014). The Relevance of Forensic Accounting in Mitigating the Audit Expectation Gap.
Journal articles
Ode, E., Awolowo, I.F., Nana, R., & Olawoyin, F. (2025). Social capital and Artificial intelligence readiness: the mediating role of cyber resilience and value construction of SMEs in resource-constrained environments. Information Systems Frontiers. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-025-10608-z
Awolowo, F., Garrow, N., Chan, D., Oni, A., & Abidoye, A. (2024). Auditors’ Evolving Responsibilities and the Rising Costs of Professional Negligence: A Comprehensive Examination. Journal of Forensic Accounting Profession, 4 (2), 20-33. http://doi.org/10.2478/jfap-2024-0007
Garrow, N., & Awolowo, I.F. (2024). Animal spirits, hubris, narcissism: Behavioural determinants of merger and acquisition outcomes. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 13 (2, spe), 287-296. http://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv13i2siart5
Abidoye, A., Awolowo, I.F., & Chan, D. (2024). Bridging the Gap: Integrating Forensic Accounting Skillsets for Enhanced Audit Quality in the Post-Pandemic Era. Journal of Forensic Accounting Profession, 3 (2), 63-81. http://doi.org/10.2478/jfap-2023-0010
Awolowo, F., Owolade, F., Abidoye, A., Dosumu, O., & Ajao, O. (2023). Towards widening participation in post-graduate research: The ASPIRE programme. People, Place and Policy Online, 18 (1), 48-58. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2023.4627796626
Garrow, N., & Awolowo, I. (2022). Mergers and acquisitions and the CEO: tenure and outcomes. Corporate Board: role, duties and composition, 18 (1), 47-61. http://doi.org/10.22495/cbv18i1art4
Awolowo, F., & Garrow, N. (2022). Why Audit will Continue to Fail! Academia Letters, 5141. http://doi.org/10.20935/AL5141
Garrow, N., Awolowo, I.F., & Growe, G. (2019). Annual Reports: Fact or Fiction? Are there governance implications? Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 16 (1). http://doi.org/10.33423/jlae.v16i1.1360
AWOLOWO, F. (2016). Financial Statement Fraud: The Need for a Paradigm Shift to Forensic Accounting. International Journal of Social, Behavioural, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 10 (3), 976-980.
Conference papers
Awolowo, I. (2023). Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence (ASPIRE). In UKCGE EDI Conference, Crown Plaza, Sheffield, 2 November 2023 - 3 November 2023. https://ukcge.ac.uk/assets/pdfs/EDI-Programme-v1.24.pdf
Awolowo, I. (2023). Achieving Equity in the research environment: The ASPIRE Agenda. In Vitae International Researcher Development Conference, Manchester, 25 September 2023 - 26 September 2023. https://www.vitae.ac.uk/acl_users/credentials_cookie_auth/require_login?came_from=https%3A//www.vitae.ac.uk/events/vitae-international-researcher-development-conference-2023/booking-vitaecon2023
Awolowo, I., Abidoye, A., Owolade, F., Seun, A., & Dosumu, O. (2023). Give me a hand, and I will thrive: How personalised mentorship is helping black students progression. In BAM Conference, University of Sussex, 4 September 2023 - 7 September 2023. British Academy of Management
Awolowo, I., Abidoye, A., Ajao, S., & Dosumu, O. (2023). Impact of personalised mentorship on black heritage students: A case study of ASPIRE. In Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference, Keele, 2 July 2023 - 5 July 2023. https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/Day%202%20-%20Part%202%20T%26L%202023.pdf
Awolowo, I., Abidoye, A., Ajao, S., & Dosumu, O. (2023). Towards Fixing the Broken Pipeline: The ASPIRE Agenda. In CABS Learning, Teaching & Student Experience, ICC, Wales, 22 May 2023 - 23 May 2023. https://charteredabs.org/events/ltse2023/
Awolowo, I., Abidoye, A., & Chan, D. (2022). Reshaping the credibility of audits for the new normal – a forensic accounting skillsets agenda. In 2022 ANZAM Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 2022 - 2022 (pp. 335-352). ANZAM - Australian & New Zealand Academy Of Management: https://www.anzam.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BC8905_ANZAM-Papers-and-Abstracts-Conference-Solutions_JAN-2023.pdf
Theses / Dissertations
Awolowo, I. (2019). Financial Statement Fraud: The Need for a Paradigm Shift to Forensic Accounting. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Chan, D. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00230
Internet Publications
Awolowo, I.F. (2024). How the zero-based budgeting method could boost your savings. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/how-zero-based-budgeting-could-boost-your-savings/
Awolowo, I.F. (2024). How the zero-based budgeting method could boost your savings. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/how-zero-based-budgeting-could-boost-your-savings/
Awolowo, I.F. (2024). Growing numbers of black academics quitting for private sector. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/growing-numbers-black-academics-quitting-private-sector
Awolowo, I.F. (2024). Growing numbers of black academics quitting for private sector. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/growing-numbers-black-academics-quitting-private-sector
Awolowo, I.F. (2023). How universities can address the lack of Black scholars in academia. https://theconversation.com/how-universities-can-address-the-lack-of-black-scholars-in-academia-216051
Awolowo, I. (2023). Expanding Influence In Business And Beyond For Black Students. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattsymonds/2023/10/26/expanding-influence-in-business-and-beyond-for-black-students/?sh=4c52f94e11d4
Awolowo, I. (2023). Black History Month 2023: The Power Of Mentors – Dr. Ifedapo Francis Awolowo. https://bluesky-thinking.com/black-history-month-2023-the-power-of-mentors-dr-ifedapo-francis-awolowo/
Awolowo, I. (2023). How ASPIRE is changing the narratives for Black students. https://wonkhe.com/blogs/how-aspire-is-changing-the-narratives-for-black-students/
Awolowo, I. (2020). With the help of artificial intelligence, auditors can do more at a reduced cost. https://ibuhgalter.net/material/1018/20389
Awolowo, I., & Garrow, N. (2020). Audit keeps failing – here’s why a fundamental change is needed. https://theconversation.com/audit-keeps-failing-heres-why-a-fundamental-change-is-needed-142598
Media
Awolowo, I. (2023). News Release: ASPIRE programme supports more than 40 Black students into research.
Awolowo, I.F. (2023). How ASPIRE programme supports more than 40 Black students into research - BBC Radio Interview.
Presentations
Chan, D., Garrow, N., Clark, M., & AWOLOWO, F. (2017). Financial Statement Fraud: Auditors are not to be blamed.
Other activities
- Reviewer - Journal of Governance and Regulation
- Journal of Forensic Accounting Research
- Journal of Corporate Ownership and Control
- SN Business & Economics
Postgraduate supervision
I am currently supervising 3 PhD students. I welcome research proposals from prospective PhD and DBA students.