Job description

Job ID: 7454

Job SummaryCentral Washington University is recruiting an Assistant Professor to join our College of Business team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We’re offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students’ Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You’ll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

The Role:

Central Washington University (CWU), Department of Accounting, invites applicants for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Accounting beginning in September 2027. Candidates with teaching interests in all areas of accounting will be considered, but we are particularly interested in applicants with expertise or teaching experience in auditing and taxation.

The College of Business has access to excellent research resources. CWU has access to WRDS and maintains subscriptions to CRSP, Compustat Merged database, Audit Analytics, Capital IQ, BoardEx, FISD, SEC filings, and ESG data. In addition, CWU has excellent library resources.

The Department of Accounting has six full-time faculty members and offers an attractive teaching load in a close-knit teaching environment. The Department hosts the second-largest undergraduate accounting program in the State of Washington and offers courses in in-person, hybrid, distance education, and online formats. CWU offers an undergraduate accounting major and a master’s in professional accountancy. CWU is on the quarter system, and professors will be required to teach 6 classes a year (two per quarter), location in Ellensburg. CWU’s College of Business is accredited by AACSB International.

Faculty will integrate CWU’s vision, mission, and values and create a learning environment that fosters student success and institutional excellence.

Minimum QualificationsPlease address in your cover letter:

• Ph.D. in accounting or related field from an AACSB accredited business program. Strong candidates who are ABD and nearing completion of the dissertation may also be considered.
• Candidates teaching experience in multiple modalities as mentioned above.
• Established or potential (evidence of submissions to) to publish research in Nationally Recognized peer-reviewed journals .

Preferred Qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

• Professional certification (CPA, CMA, etc.)
• Experience or interest in developing and updating curriculum.
• Interest and experience in providing learners with experiential learning opportunities.
• Willingness to engage with the broader community and cultivate partnerships that connect students to internships and professional opportunities across Washington State.
• Research program that that demonstrates an ability to contribute to CWU’s vision to be a model learning community of access and opportunity.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At CWU, we’re committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you’re looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work ScheduleAnnual Salary: $140,000 – $150,000, based on a full-time nine-month appointment.
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Appointment: Full-Time, Tenure-Track, 9 Month Appointment. Additional Summer teaching may be available. Central Washington University is on the quarter system with appointments from mid-September through mid-June.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance. CWU Benefits, Perks & Discounts Overview .

Additional Information: For additional information about the University, visit: http://www.cwu.edu
For additional information about Ellensburg, visit: http://www.myellensburg.com
OR http://www.kittitascountychamber.com

NOTE: Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter explaining your interest in this position and clearly demonstrating how your education and experience qualifies you to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting. This statement should include three components:
  • (a) how you meet the required and preferred qualifications;
  • (b) how your teaching, service, and/or scholarship has supported students from pluralistic societies that are underrepresented in their academic fields (applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work will further CWU’s commitment to access and opportunity);
  • (c) share a research statement that describes your plans for development of a research program at CWU.
• Curriculum Vitae including work history, education, training, and contact information for three professional references (at least one who can specifically comment on teaching);
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (recent teaching evaluations, if available);
• Copy of a recent research paper (published or unpublished); and
• Unofficial copies of transcripts degree held from an AACSB accredited business program.

Screening Begins: September 16, 2026

**NOTE: Although copies of transcripts are acceptable for application purposes, all job offers are contingent upon verification of highest degree. Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Contact InformationName: Han Donker, Ph.D.
Title: Department Chair and professor of Accounting
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (509) 963-1954 (office)
Phone: (509) 306-3328 (mobile)
Website: www.cwu.edu/academics/colleges/college-business/accounting/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of EmploymentBackground Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

The conditions of employment with Central Washington University are set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Central Washington University and United Faculty of Central, University policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal laws.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement may be found here: CWU Faculty Relations.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University’s policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance , 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email [email protected].

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.

Location: Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Title IX employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or protected veteran status.