Portsmouth Business School

Profile

Richard Trafford MSc AVA FAIA MCT PGCHE FHEA

As principal lecturer in finance and forensic accounting, my primary teaching areas are in business valuation, financial crime and fraud investigation and financial forensic investigation.  In addition, I have also taught in the areas of financial analysis, corporate finance, financial accounting, corporate governance and business ethics, investment analysis and enterprise finance.  In the role of Course Director for the accounting and finance postgraduate programmes, in addition to managing the MSc Finance and MSc Financial Decision Analysis programmes, I have worked on developing the forensic accounting master’s, both through campus based delivery and latterly through an online distance learning version.  Other administrative roles have involved course leadership and admissions tutor on postgraduate programmes.  I am also an external examiner at Birmingham City University for undergraduate finance modules.

Prior to joining the university in 2003, I had spent 30 years in industry and commerce, initially in accounting roles such as group internal auditor and subsequently divisional accountant for a listed national group of motor dealers and later as finance director of a number of companies in the waste management services sector, one of which I floated on the London Stock Exchange.   Following that, I worked as a business valuation consultant on a variety of projects covering merger and acquisition work, valuations for tax purposes, shareholder disputes and damages claims and was also appointed as joint independent expert in legal disputes requiring share and business valuations.

My primary research interests are in the area of company valuation, corporate fraud, financial stability in the third sector and I am closely involved with the delivery and management of our annual Counter Fraud and Forensic Accounting Conference, which is held in conjunction with the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies at the University.   Additionally, I have delivered external talks and courses on such topics as forensic accounting techniques and mergers and acquisitions.

In addition to my academic qualifications, I am an accredited valuation analyst certificated by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (USA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner accredited by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.  I also hold qualified membership of the Association of International Accountants, the Association of Corporate Treasurers and the Higher Education Academy as well as a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and have also been a member of the Society of Share and Business Valuers in the UK.  

Publications