UQ Business School academic honoured by his profession

University of Queensland Business School Emeritus Professor Reg Gynther is one of five accounting experts inducted into Australia’s accounting hall of fame last week.

World War II veteran Professor Gynther began lecturing part-time at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 1952 and was appointed foundation head of UQ’s Department of Accounting when it was established in 1961.

In marked contrast to the requirements of higher education today, Professor Gynther had not even completed his undergraduate degree when appointed.

Professor Don Anderson, who was himself appointed by Professor Gynther, wrote and presented the citation at the gala dinner hosted last week by the University of Melbourne.

Professor Anderson said Professor Gynther had hastened to extend his qualifications, receiving his Master of Economics from the University of Adelaide in 1964.

“Soon after completing his degree, Professor Gynther published his first book on the choice of index in accounting for price-level changes,” he said.

“The book led to another promotion and Reg again scrambled to achieve the qualification that today would be a prerequisite for such a role.”

“He was awarded his Doctorate by the University of Washington in 1966.”

A UQ spokesperson said Professor Gynther had introduced a range of educational initiatives including the innovative Honours program.

"The strength of our Commerce Honours program today can be traced back to Professor Gynther."

UQ Business School has established an annual R.S.Gynther Lecture in honour of the contribution he made to the profession.

The other accounting experts inducted alongside Professor Gynther were Ray Chambers AO, the first non-American to be included in the Ohio Accounting Hall of Fame; the first professor of accounting at Melbourne University Sir Alex Fitzgerald QBE; former President of the CPA Australia, Elizabeth Alexander AM; and Emeritus Professor Philip Brown of the University of Western Australia.

Media: Cathy Stacey (07 3346 8068).