Distinguished Professor Rahat Munir is an internationally recognised academic leader and the Head of the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance at Macquarie University, Sydney. An expert in management & forensic accounting, financial crime, sustainability and governance research, he brings a unique blend of academic excellence and banking experience as senior executive. He holds the titles of FCA (Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand), FCPA (Certified Practising Accountant Australia), SFHEA (Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy), and earned his PhD from Macquarie University. He is also the Chairperson of Chairs of Accounting and Finance Departments/Schools Forum (CAFF) of Australian and New Zealand universities.

Distinguished Professor Munir is globally recognized for his expertise in curriculum development, innovative teaching practices, and accreditation, including AACSB and AMBA. He has played a pivotal role in fostering strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as professional associations, universities, and communities in regions including China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Europe. He has also served on various faculty and course review panels across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the USA. His close engagement with industry includes leading prestigious national forums such as the CFO Forum, Women Thought Leadership initiatives, and Business Leaders Roundtables and Think Tanks.

He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles in leading global journals, along with books, book chapters, monographs, conference papers, and commissioned reports. His extensive research, which primarily focuses on management accounting and controls, extends into other significant fields such as education, corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance, corporate culture, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Distinguished Professor Munir has conducted research across diverse industries, including Big Four accounting firms, banking, manufacturing, airlines, and politics, particularly in countries China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Germany, to name a few. He has delivered numerous invited and keynote presentations and his expert opinions have been featured in international media outlets, including radio, television, newspapers, newsletters, and websites. He has successfully supervised over 30 HDR students to completion and assessed the theses of many others from both Australian and international universities.

Distinguished Professor Munir is affiliated with a range of professional bodies, including the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, the Professional Risk Managers International Association (USA), the American Accounting Association, the British Accounting Association, the Canadian Accounting Association, and the European Accounting Association. He also serves on various high-level committees and advisory boards, including the national Education Board of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the TAFE NSW Higher Education Academic Board in the past. Additionally, he is serving on the editorial boards, guest editor, referee, and member of scientific program committees for numerous international journals, and has organised conferences and workshops.

His commitment to teaching and research excellence has been recognized through several international awards. These include the Business/Higher Education Roundtable Award for excellence in accounting teaching collaborations and CPA Australia’s awards for achievements in academia. His contributions have also been acknowledged at the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards at the University of Pennsylvania in the Nurturing Employability Award category in 2015, 2021, and 2024, recognizing his innovative pedagogical approaches to learning and teaching. Distinguished Professor Munir has served on the judging panels for the Momentum Media and Accountants Daily’s Australian Accounting Awards, Australian Digital Technology Awards, Women in Finance Awards, and the 30 Under 30 Awards. His case study on The Ethics of Profit in the Australian Retail Industry was recognized as one of the top four teaching cases globally by the Decision Sciences Institute, Washington DC, in the ‘Best Teaching Case Studies Award’ competition.

He was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honours, comparable in significance to the Medal of the Order of Australia, by the President of Pakistan in recognition of his distinguished contributions to higher education globally and his service to Pakistan. This prestigious civilian honour reflects his strong commitment to advancing innovation, international collaboration, and impactful academic leadership across borders.

His professional & scholarly contributions advance the achievement of following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):