Dr. Oktay Urcan

Professor

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Biography

Oktay Urcan is a Professor of Accountancy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Academic Director of iDegrees. He has a strong background in archival financial accounting, focusing on debt market relevance and accounting disclosures. Urcan joined the University of Illinois in 2014 as an Assistant Professor after serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Texas at Dallas and later as a faculty member at London Business School. He has been recognized multiple times for excellence in teaching and has received notable awards in his field, including the Raymond Hoffman Faculty Excellence Award in 2016. Urcan holds a PhD in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas (2007) and a BA in Management from Bogazici University (2002). His published research covers various topics within financial accounting, including the impact of accounting information on corporate investment and the implications of regulation in the business sector. Urcan is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for his students and continues to contribute to the field through both teaching and research.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor of Accountancy

2022-01-01 — Present

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Champaign, IL

Teaching and conducting research in Accounting.

Academic Director iDegrees

2020-01-01 — Present

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Champaign, IL

Overseeing the iDegrees program and online education initiatives.

Associate Professor of Accountancy

2014-01-01 — 2022-01-01

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Champaign, IL

Conducting advanced research and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Assistant Professor

2007-01-01 — 2014-01-01

London Business School • London, UK

Conducting research and teaching courses related to finance and accounting.

Teaching Assistant

2002-01-01 — 2007-01-01

University of Texas at Dallas • Dallas, TX

Assisted in teaching and supporting undergraduate accounting courses.

Awards

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Josef Margot Lakonishok Faculty Fellowship

2022-01-01
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Fred & Virginia Roedgers Faculty Fellowship in Accountancy

2016-01-01
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Raymond Hoffman Faculty Excellence Award

2016-01-01
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List of Teachers Ranked Excellent

Courses

Atg Measurement, Reporting & Control (ACCY 500) Accounting M&As (ACCY 532)

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.