William W. Holder, DBA, CPA, Recognized for Contributions to Higher Education and Accounting

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, January 31, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — William W. Holder, DBA, CPA, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Holder has established himself as a distinguished figure in the field of accounting, with a career marked by significant contributions to academia and professional service. Currently, he is professor of accounting at the University of Southern California, a role he has occupied since retiring as dean of the Leventhal School of Accounting and Alan Casden Dean’s Chair in Accountancy in August 2024. His expertise in accounting is widely recognized, and he is celebrated for his dedication to advancing the field.

Dr. Holder served as the dean and Alan Casden Chair in Accountancy at the University of Southern California from 2001 to 2014. During this period, he was instrumental in shaping the academic direction of the School of Accounting, a position he found deeply rewarding. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to excellence and innovation in accounting education.

Dr. Holder’s tenure at the University of Southern California began in 1979 as an associate professor. Subsequently, he was promoted to (full) professor, held the Accounting Circle Professorship, and then the Ernst & Young Professorship in Accounting, a position he held until 2011 when he was named dean. Throughout these years, he contributed significantly to the academic community, fostering an environment that encouraged research and professional growth among students and faculty alike.

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Holder has been actively involved with several industry and profession-related organizations. He is a member of the American Accounting Association and has served on the Accounting Standards Executive Committee (now Financial Reporting Executive Committee) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Furthermore, his 10 years of service as a member of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects his commitment to establishing reporting standards that govern access to capital markets for the nation’s state and local governments.

Dr. Holder’s educational background laid a strong foundation for his illustrious career. He earned a doctorate in business administration in accounting from the University of Oklahoma in 1974, where he also completed a master’s degree in accounting the previous year. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Oklahoma in 1969.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dr. Holder has made significant contributions through civic associations. He serves on the board of directors and chairs the audit committee for the John Wayne Cancer Institute and is involved with the National Board of Directors for the Trauma Intervention Program. Additionally, he participates in activities with the Police Action League of Los Angeles.

Dr. Holder’s excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Gold Medal for Professional Service from AICPA and being twice named among the 100 Most Influential People in the Accounting Profession by Accounting Today. He has also been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma as well as the California Society of CPAs, among many accolades.

Outside his professional life, Dr. Holder enjoys playing golf, boating, fishing and spending time with his family, which includes three children. Looking ahead, he aims to successfully fill an endowed chair and enhance an endowed scholarship that he and his wife established, reflecting his ongoing commitment to education and philanthropy.

About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #