Meet Dr Mohammad Al Bahloul, Lecturer in Accounting and Finance here at Salford Business School.
Mohammad brings 30 years of experience in accounting and finance to provide Salford students with a programme that broadens their skills for the professional world. He has a keen interest in understanding governance mechanisms and audit quality influence organisational performance, as well as stakeholder confidence.
Continue reading to find out more about how Mohammad began his journey into academia and how he helps Salford Business students exceed, to prepare them for a successful career in an ever-evolving industry.
How did you get into academia as a career path?
My journey into academia was shaped by a combination of professional practice and a passion for education. I began my career as a trainee auditor before qualifying as a chartered accountant. During the early stages of my career, I worked extensively in auditing, accounting, consultancy, and project management, which provided me with valuable practical experience and insights into the challenges faced by organisations and the accounting profession.
Before joining the University of Salford, I spent several years working in international management consultancy, and delivering and managing, auditing and public financial management reform projects across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. I was involved in nearly eight major international consultancy projects focused on strengthening accounting and auditing systems, enhancing professional standards and supporting institutional reform.
These experiences exposed me to diverse business environments and reinforced my interest in research, professional development and knowledge sharing. Academia offered the ideal opportunity to combine these interests through teaching, research, and engagement with future accounting and finance professionals.
Why did you choose to work at the University of Salford?
The University of Salford’s strong emphasis on applied learning, industry engagement, and student success was particularly attractive to me. Salford has a reputation for providing practical, career-focused education while maintaining a strong commitment to research and innovation. The University’s diverse student community and its close links with industry create an excellent environment for both teaching and research.
What’s the best thing about being an academic at Salford?
The best aspect is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ academic and professional development. I particularly enjoy creating learning experiences that bridge theory and practice, drawing on both my academic research and professional experience in auditing, consultancy and international projects. The supportive and collaborative environment within Salford Business School also provides excellent opportunities for innovation in teaching, research and external engagement.
Can you tell us about any of your career highlights to date?
I have been fortunate to enjoy a varied career spanning professional practice, international consultancy and academia. One of my proudest achievements was contributing to accounting and auditing reform projects across multiple countries, helping organisations and public institutions strengthen governance, accountability and financial reporting practices.
Within academia, highlights include publishing research in leading academic journals, supervising doctoral students, developing new postgraduate programmes and leading international educational initiatives.
More recently, I have been involved in designing the MSc International Accounting and Finance programme and leading experimental learning activities, such as the MSc Accounting and Finance study tour to Edinburgh, which provided students with valuable opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders and organisations. I am also particularly proud of supporting students and early-career researchers in publishing their work and presenting at international conferences.
What’s your current research focused on?
My research primarily focuses on corporate governance, auditing, financial reporting and accounting education. I am particularly interested in understanding how governance mechanisms and audit quality influence organisational performance and stakeholder confidence.
More recently, I have also been exploring the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), on accounting and auditing practices, as well as investigating innovative approaches to accounting and finance education and experiential learning.
Do you have any published papers we can read?
I have published research across areas including corporate governance, auditing, financial reporting, public sector accountability and accounting education. My publications can be accessed here as well as on academic databases, such as Google Scholar and ResearchGate.
And finally, the all-important question – where in Manchester or Salford is best to grab a coffee?
Manchester and Salford have no shortage of excellent coffee spots.
One of my favourite places is around MediaCity, where you can enjoy a coffee while overlooking the waterfront. Manchester city centre is also home to many excellent independent cafés, making it a great place for informal meetings, catching up with colleagues, or spending some quiet time reading and reflecting.