The USC Marshall School of Business announced William Holder as the new dean of the Leventhal School of Accounting, as of July 1.  He will replace dean Randolph Beatty, who will step down at the end of June.

Holder, an expert on financial reporting and auditing, has been named among the 100 most influential people in accounting.

He has held the Ernst and Young Professorship in Accounting since 1990 and has directed the USC SEC and Financial Reporting Institute since 1994.

“I view this position as one that involves being a steward of a great school,” he said. “My job is to preserve and to protect and to advance.”

Holder plans to continue teaching and keep his professional work in service and publications while serving as dean.

Leventhal, a unit of Marshall, is recognized in the top tier of accounting education.  The undergraduate Leventhal program is ranked Number 6 by U.S. News & World Report.

USC Marshall dean James G. Ellis says the new leadership should propel Leventhal to even greater academic heights.