Faculty Spotlight: Kelly Richmond Pope’s Impact on Forensic Accounting

Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, a certified public accountant (CPA) and certified fraud examiner (CFE) holds the prestigious title of Dr. Barry Jay Epstein Endowed Professor of Forensic Accounting at DePaul University. This position, endowed by alumnus and educator Barry Jay Epstein, supports teaching and research that advances forensic accounting. Endowed professorships like this are awarded to distinguished faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in their discipline and provide funding to further their academic initiatives. In Pope’s case, this title underscores her impact on the accounting profession and her commitment to advancing forensic accounting through her work at DePaul and beyond.

As a professor in DePaul’s online master of accountancy program, Pope brings a wealth of real-world experience to her classroom and continues to build on her numerous achievements in accounting and fraud investigation, which include:¹

• Forensic accounting: Investigates high-profile cases of financial misconduct and fraud, has provided expert testimony in legal proceedings
• Classroom focus: Teaches introductory and advanced accounting courses, including fraud and managerial accounting, at DePaul University, and serves as one of the National Instructors for Becker CPA and CMA Exam Review
• Notable works: Produced the acclaimed documentary film, “All the Queen’s Horses,” authored the book, “Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry,” and delivered, "How Whistle-blowers Shape History,” TED Talk
• Community and board service: Serves on the board of directors and audit committee chair of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and serves as a board observer for Superior Group of Companies (NASDAQ: SGC)
• Media Presence: Featured in major publications including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Accounting Today, The Economist, Harvard Business Review, NPR and CFO Drive

Pope’s unique combination of academic knowledge and practical experience allows her to provide students with invaluable insights into the field of accounting and fraud investigation. By sharing her real-world stories and expertise, she prepares students to become successful professionals in the accounting industry.
Read on to learn about the unique ways Dr. Pope prepares her students for successful careers in accounting.

Accounting Is ‘Everywhere’

Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope believes that accounting is a fundamental part of everyday life and that students should be able to see its relevance in various contexts, including when it comes to career opportunities and the applicability of a master’s in accountancy degree.

“Accounting is everywhere,” Pope says. “Our job as educators is to always make those linkages for the students. Whether that’s a grocery store, a hairdresser or the gym—I remind them that accounting is the foundation of how every business you interact with everyday works.”

To illustrate this point, she incorporates a variety of real-world experiences into her classroom, making accounting more relatable and impactful. For example, in her managerial accounting course, students can create and manage their own small businesses, gaining practical experience in financial management. Additionally, Dr. Pope invites guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, including victims of fraud, white-collar felons and accounting professionals, to share their perspectives.

Dr. Pope asserts, “The more you take the learning outside of the book, the more relevant and more impactful your class will be.”

Her own experiences working in accounting heavily influence how she teaches her courses. Let’s explore Dr. Pope’s background and professional accomplishments to better understand her teaching style.

Dr. Pope’s Journey to Accounting

Dr. Pope’s early exposure to accounting began in high school when she was influenced by her father, a business school dean and college president. Growing up in an academic environment, Pope was naturally drawn to higher education.

Early Influences and Academic Path

Pope’s father encouraged her to pursue accounting, emphasizing its versatility and job security. Following his guidance, she majored in accounting at North Carolina A&T State University. Practical considerations did not solely drive Pope’s decision to pursue a career in accounting; she also sought a career path that would offer a sense of legacy.

Academic Progression and Career Goals

After completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Pope went on to earn a master’s and Ph.D. in accounting. While her family influenced her decision to pursue further education, she also recognized the value of advanced degrees in the field. She sat for the CPA exam and obtained her certification, demonstrating her commitment to professional development.

Pope initially worked as a senior associate in forensic accounting at KPMG in Chicago. It was during this time that she connected with the director of the DePaul University School of Accountancy, which set her on the path to a career in academia.

Dr. Pope’s Book, Film and Speaking Engagements: Expanding Her Impact

Dr. Pope’s contributions to the accounting field extend far beyond her role as a professor. Her work as a documentary filmmaker, author and in-demand speaker has allowed her to reach a wider audience and make a lasting impact.

The Mainstream Book: Fool Me Once

In 2023, Dr. Pope published her book, “Fool Me Once: Scam Stories and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry,” through Harvard Business Review Press. This publication marked a departure from the traditional academic path of research articles and textbooks. Dr. Pope’s goal was to reach a wider audience and have a greater impact.

The book used research and Dr. Pope’s experience as a forensic accountant to create an approachable guide. Dr. Pope believes her book has opened people’s eyes to the reality of fraud. She wants readers to understand that anyone, not just a specific type of person, can commit fraud. While the scale of access to funds may differ, the motivations and rationalizations behind the act can be similar across the board. “Fraud looks like the person in the mirror,” she says.

The Award-Winning Documentary: All the Queen’s Horses

One of Dr. Pope’s most notable contributions to the field is her award-winning documentary film, “All the Queen’s Horses.”^2,3 Released in 2017, the film explores a major fraud case in Dixon, Ill. The film showcases Dr. Pope’s ability to tell complex financial stories in an informative and engaging way.

Pope’s journey into documentary filmmaking began with a film fellowship program at Kartemquin Films, a non-profit production company based in Chicago and specializing in documentary films. This support gave her the necessary skills and knowledge to produce, fundraise and promote her film.

“All the Queen’s Horses” premiered at international festivals and won numerous awards. More importantly, it continues to be screened and impact communities worldwide. Pope sees the film as a way to humanize the issue of fraud and encourage viewers to consider how it might play out in their own towns.

Dr. Pope’s Ph.D. studies in accounting prepared her for the world of producing, writing and directing films. “Directing a documentary is very similar to writing a research paper,” she explains. “You are trying to ask a research question. For me, I was trying to answer the question, how does one woman steal 53.7 million dollars without anyone noticing? In film that’s called a ‘log line.’ So, it’s the same thing. There’s this transfer of information. The research process is very, very similar.”

Dr. Pope clearly explains why the film’s story resonated with audiences. “Every true crime story has a money story. Understanding how to use the money story to tell the story is really what draws people in.”

Corporate Speaker

In addition to her teaching and research, Dr. Pope is a sought-after speaker for corporations and government agencies. In her speaking engagements, she shares her insights on fraud, ethics and best accounting practices with audiences worldwide.

“Many times when I’m doing corporate presentations and workshops, it’s because an organization has experienced fraud. So they are very, very serious about making sure that their employee base is following sound ethical decision-making,” she explains.

The Impact of Faculty on Curriculum

Dr. Pope believes faculty members are the most influential factor in a successful curriculum. “It’s the innovation that faculty bring into the classroom,” she emphasizes. “It’s the passion that they bring.”

While standardized curricula and certification exams are essential, Dr. Pope argues that individual faculty members’ unique perspectives and approaches make a program stand out. This includes DePaul University’s online master of accountancy program, of which she is proud to be a faculty member.

Dr. Pope’s professional experiences outside of the classroom play an integral role in how she teaches her students. Let’s take a closer look at one of the unique elements she incorporates into her teaching and her takeaways for her students.

Red Flag Mania: A Unique Classroom Learning Experience

Dr. Pope brings a unique and engaging dimension to her classroom through an interactive game that immerses students in true crime stories, challenging them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The game is called Red Flag Mania.⁴

Key Features of Red Flag Mania:

• Interactive cases: Students delve into real-life cases, analyzing evidence and piecing together the puzzle to uncover the truth
• Critical thinking and problem-solving: The game encourages students to think critically, analyze information and develop effective problem-solving strategies
• Engaging learning experience: By combining true crime narratives with interactive gameplay, Red Flag Mania creates a more engaging and memorable learning experience

By incorporating Red Flag Mania into her curriculum, Dr. Pope provides her students with a hands-on approach to learning forensic accounting concepts. This unique activity reinforces classroom material and prepares students for the challenges they may face in real-world investigations.

Accounting as a Foundation for Lifelong Success

Dr. Pope believes that accounting is not just a job but a career. She highlights the long-term benefits of obtaining an accounting degree, including increased earning potential, job security and advancement opportunities, including becoming a certified public accountant. Drawing from her own experience, Dr. Pope notes that having a CPA designation has significantly benefited her career. She highlights the value of professional certifications in her own trajectory. “Having those professional credentials sets you apart and sort of puts an asterisk on your degree.”

She adds, “I think about just my career journey. You know, there are very few times when I’ve walked into a room and there’s been another CPA. Having those types of credentials, I think, is really important for personal branding and longevity.”

Based on her experiences working with corporations, Dr. Pope also notes the soft skills accounting students need to be successful in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of developing:

• Confidence: Students should feel comfortable voicing their opinions and concerns
• Professional presence: They should project a confident and professional image
• Communication skills: Students should be proficient in written and verbal communication, including email, text and social media
• Professional branding: They should understand how to build and maintain a positive professional brand

With the proper credentials and a grasp of soft skills, students are well on their way to a fulfilling accounting career.

A Future of Innovation and Impact

Dr. Pope’s dedication to her work and her passion for making a difference are evident throughout her career. As a professor, author and documentary filmmaker, she has consistently sought to expand her impact and contribute to the field of accounting. Her commitment to lifelong learning, her ability to connect with diverse audiences and her talent for telling compelling stories have solidified her reputation as a leading figure in forensic accounting. With each endeavor, she continues to shape the future of the field, blending expertise and innovation in ways that resonate across the industry.

Join Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope at DePaul University

Take your accounting career to new heights with DePaul University’s online Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program.

DePaul’s online MSA program allows you to take your accounting career to the next level. Learn from renowned faculty members, like Dr. Pope, who bring real-world experience and expertise to the virtual classroom.

Dr. Pope highlights several factors that make DePaul and its online MSA program a unique and impactful institution:

• Location: Chicago provides students with opportunities to connect with local businesses and professionals
• Diverse student body: DePaul’s diverse student population creates a rich and dynamic learning environment
• Generational impact: Dr. Pope emphasizes the potential for accounting education to break cycles of poverty and create generational wealth for families

Whether you want to deepen your knowledge or specialize in fraud detection, this online program offers the flexibility and comprehensive curriculum you need to succeed. Explore the course offerings, discover industry trends and get expert insights through the DePaul online Master of Science in Accountancy blog.

Start your journey today and gain the skills to advance in the ever-evolving field of accounting.