Associate Professor Michelle Cull

Associate Professor Michelle Cull

Associate Professor,
Accounting

Biography

Associate Professor Michelle Cull uses her strong relationships with industry and community partners to further the School of Business mission to produce graduates who are prepared for enterprise futures. Michelle has held numerous leadership positions at the university including Associate Dean, Engagement; Director of Academic Program (Accounting and Financial Planning); Head of Program, and Academic Course Advisor (International).

Michelle is a leading academic in financial planning, with her research cited in the media. Michelle completed her PhD on the role of trust in financial planning and has published a range of academic papers, practitioner magazines, textbooks and book chapters in the areas of ethics, financial literacy, financial planning and financial planning education, with her work used for compulsory education of financial advisers. In addition to volunteering her time as a reviewer for numerous ABDC ranked publications, Michelle is co-editor of the Financial Planning Research Journal and Vice President, International Relations for the Academy of Financial Services (United States).

Michelle’s research has included leading the development of the WalletSmart App, available on Android and IOS, which aims to build the financial capability of university students. She is also co-founder of Western Sydney University Tax Clinic. Michelle’s latest research examines the moral development of financial advisers in Australia and the impact of substantial regulatory change aimed at lifting the educational, ethical and professional standards of advisers. Michelle supervises 10 PhD students and 4 MRes students.

Michelle has taught accounting and financial planning for over 25 years in face-to-face, blended and fully online modes across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. She has a proactive approach to her teaching as she considers the demands of the profession, employers, and new technologies. Michelle encourages students to take advantage of workplace opportunities with a view to improving their learning experience and to actively engage with the community through volunteering.

Prior to becoming a full-time academic, Michelle worked for 15 years in various accounting and finance roles at ASX-100 listed companies.

Michelle has also worked as a consultant and has volunteered her time as Chair of the Macarthur Advisory Council for the Salvation Army, NSW Divisional Councillor and Deputy President for CPA Australia, Board member of the Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce and as academic staff representative for the UniSuper Consultative Committee.

This information has been contributed by Associate Professor Cull.

Qualifications

  • PhD University of Western Sydney
  • BCom (Acctg) University of Western Sydney

Professional Memberships

  • Financial Planning Association (2017)
  • CPA Australia (1997)
  • AFAANZ (2017)
  • Association of Financial Services (2019)
  • Financial Planning Academic Forum (2015)
  • Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management (2023 - 2023)

Awards

  • Research Impact Competition Finalist 2015-10-27
  • Research Impact Competition Finalist 2021-10-26
  • Recognition of Contribution Award 2014-12-11
  • Academic Leadership Certificate 2010-09-21
  • FPRJ/AFS Early Career Researcher Award 2019-09-17
  • FPRJ/AFS Conference Travel Award 2019-09-17
  • SEAANZ Best Paper Award 2021 2021-11-30
  • Western Sydney Women Educator of the Year 2021 - Winner 2021-11-30

Interests

  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Ethics
  • Financial Literacy
  • Financial Planning
  • Trust Models
  • Higher Education
  • Management Accounting
  • Soft Skills

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Accounting

Committees

  • School Workload Committee
  • School Academic Committee
  • School Executive Committee
  • School Indigenous Communities Working Group
  • Badugulang Fellow, Centre for teaching and learning excellence

Contact

Email: M.Cull@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4620 3519
Mobile:
Location: 22.2.22
Campbelltown

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Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

  • 200101 Accounting Information for Managers, 2012
  • 200101 Accounting Information for Managers, 2016
  • 200399 Information Systems for Accountants, 2018
  • 200821 Financial Reports for Decision Making, 2020
  • 200866 Principles of Financial Planning, 2015
  • 200866 Principles of Financial Planning, 2016
  • 200866 Principles of Financial Planning, 2017
  • 200870 Insurance and Risk Management, 2016
  • 200871 Planning for Retirement, 2017
  • 200899 Retirement and Succession Planning, 2017
  • 200899 Retirement and Succession Planning, 2021
  • CO309A Insurance and Risk Management, 2014
  • CO801A Principles of Financial Planning, 2012
  • CO801A Principles of Financial Planning, 2014
  • CO806A Current Issues in Financial Planning, 2013
  • FINC3014 Retirement and Succession Planning, 2022

Publications

Books

  • Cull, M., Miller, M., Bruhn, A. and Skultety, C. (2021), 'Ethics and Professional Practice in Financial Planning', : LexisNexis 9780409353204.

Chapters in Books

  • Chikweche, T., Evangelista, A., Cull, M., Evangelista, F., Dadich, A. and Gregory, S. (2023), 'SME sentiments, access to government support, and resilience during a pandemic', Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and Business Uncertainty: Just Surviving or Thriving?, Palgrave Macmillan 9789819948437.
  • Cull, M. (2022), 'The growing role of FinTech and robo-advisors', De Gruyter Handbook of Personal Finance, Walter De Gruyter 9783110727494.
  • Cull, M., Burton, S. and Lam, R. (2021), 'Ethics in financial products marketing', The SAGE Handbook of Marketing Ethics, SAGE 9781529709292.
  • Cull, M. (2017), 'Cash flow, budgeting and managing credit', Financial Planning in Australia, LexiNexis Butterworths 9780409342536.
  • Cull, M. (2017), 'Direct investing', Financial Planning in Australia, LexisNexis Butterworths 9780409342536.
  • Cull, M. (2017), 'Securing and managing credit', Financial Planning in Australia: Advice and Wealth Management, Reed International Books Australia 9780409347609.
  • Cull, M. (2017), 'Investing in property and collectables', Financial Planning in Australia: Advice and Wealth Management, Reed International Books Australia 9780409347609.
  • Cull, M. (2016), 'Investing in property and collectables', Financial Planning in Australia: Advice and Wealth Management, LexisNexis Butterworths 9780409341775.
  • Cull, M. (2016), 'Securing and managing credit', Financial Planning in Australia: Advice and Wealth Management, LexisNexis Butterworths 9780409341775.
  • Cull, M. (2015), 'Securing and managing credit', Financial Planning in Australia: Advice and Wealth Management, LexisNexis 9780409339376.
  • Cull, M. (2015), 'Investing in property and collectables', Financial Planning in Australia: Advice and Wealth Management, Lexis Nexis 9780409339376.
  • Cull, M. (2011), 'Investing in Property and Collectables ', Financial Planning in Australia, Lexis Nexis Butterworths 9780409327250.
  • Cull, M. (2011), 'Personal Credit, Debt and Lending', Financial Planning in Australia, Lexis Nexis Butterworths 9780409327250.

Journal Articles

  • Dadich, A., Gliniecka, M., Cull, M. and Womsley, K. (2023), 'POMSNAME : an aide-memoire to improve the assessment and documentation of palliative care : a longitudinal project', BMC Palliative Care, vol 22 .
  • Han, W. and Cull, M. (2022), 'Auditor independence in post-reform China : a neo-Durkheimian approach', Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, vol 6, no 3 , pp 15 - 27.
  • Cull, M., Skultety, C. and Kumar, R. (2022), 'Factors influencing the motivation to pursue a career in financial planning', Financial Planning Research Journal, vol 8, no 1 , pp 40 - 78.
  • Morgan, A., Freudenberg, B., Kayis-Kumar, A., Le, V., Whait, R., Cull, M., Castelyn, D. and Vitale, C. (2022), 'Pro bono tax clinics : aiding Australia's tax administration and developing students' self-efficacy', Journal of Australian Taxation, vol 24 , pp 76 - 111.
  • Cull, M., McLaren, J., Freudenberg, B., Vitale, C., Castelyn, D., Whait, R., Kayis-Kumar, A., Le, V. and Morgan, A. (2022), 'Work-integrated learning for international students : developing self-efficacy through the Australian National Tax Clinic Program', Journal of the Australasian Tax Teachers Association, vol 17, no 1 , pp 22 - 56.
  • West, T., Cull, M. and Johnson, D. (2021), 'Income more important than financial literacy for improving wellbeing', Financial Services Review, vol 29, no 3 , pp 187 - 207.
  • West, T. and Cull, M. (2020), 'Future expectations and financial satisfaction', Economic Papers, vol 39, no 4 , pp 318 - 335.
  • Vitale, C. and Cull, M. (2020), '2019 National Tax Clinic Pilot project : Western Sydney University', Journal of Australian Taxation, vol 22, no 2 , pp 116 - 136.
  • Cull, M. and Melville, B. (2018), 'A review of ethics education in financial planning courses in Australia', Financial Planning Research Journal, vol 4, no 1 , pp 11 - 32.
  • Cull, M. and Melville, B. (2018), 'Ethics education in financial planning courses', Money & Life Magazine, , pp 38 - 38.
  • Vitale, C. and Cull, M. (2018), 'Modelling the influence of CEO values and leadership styles on financial decision making', Journal of New Business Ideas and Trends, vol 16, no 1 , pp 16 - 30.
  • Cull, M. (2018), 'Ethics : what ought one do?', Money & Life: The Magazine for Financial Planning Professionals, vol 30, no 6 , pp 34 - 37.
  • Cull, M. and Sloan, T. (2017), 'Characteristics of trust', Financial Planning, vol 29, no 7 , pp 23 - .
  • Cull, M. and Bowyer, D. (2017), 'Ethics in financial planning : myth, fact or rhetoric paradox?', e-Journal of Social and Behavioural Research in Business, vol 8, no 2 , pp 56 - 69.
  • Cull, M. and Sloan, T. (2016), 'Characteristics of trust in personal financial planning', Financial Planning Research Journal, vol 2, no 1 , pp 12 - 35.
  • Cull, M. and Davis, G. (2013), 'Students' perceptions of a scaffolded approach to learning financial planning : an empirical study', Accounting Education: An International Journal, vol 22, no 2 , pp 125 - 146.
  • Cull, M. and Whitton, D. (2011), 'University students' financial literacy levels : obstacles and aids', Economic and Labour Relations Review, vol 22, no 1 , pp 99 - 114.
  • Cull, M. (2009), 'The rise of the financial planning industry', The Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal, vol 3, no 1 , pp 26 - 37.

Conference Papers

  • Chikweche, T., Evangelista, A., Evangelista, F., Cull, M., Dadich, A. and Gregory, S. (2022), 'An investigation of micro-small and medium enterprises" engagement of business advisory and support services during COVID-19', Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand. Symposium, Online and Melbourne, Vic..
  • Cull, M. and Parry, K. (2017), 'The cost of organised sport : increasing sport participation in NSW', Sport Management Association of australia and New Zealand. Conference, Gold Coast, Qld..
  • Cull, M., Davis, G. and Walker, L. (2006), 'Educational Tools for Effectively Teaching and Assessing a Core Financial Planning Unit in an Undergraduate Degree', Proceedings of the 2006 annual Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ) conference, Wellington, New Zealand..

Other Publications

  • 2021, 'Improving Financial Capability Among University Students Using a Mobile App: Wallet$mart Project Evaluation', Report
  • 2020, 'Financial Planning Education and Regulatory Requirements: A Cross Country Comparison between Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States of America', Report
  • 2020, 'Mountains, Molehills and Milestones: Participant Experiences from the WSU Mentoring Programs', Report

 Dr Michelle Cull is currently leading the following research projects:

  •  Ethics education in financial planning;
  •  Antecedents of trust in personal financial planning;
  •  The cost of sport participation in NSW, Australia and a cross country comparison;
  •  The moral development of financial advisers in Australia.

Journal Reviewer

Accounting Research Journal

Australasian Accounting, Finance and Business Journal

Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review

Economic Papers

Financial Planning Research Journal

Financial Services Review

Journal of Financial Services Marketing

Journal of Management

Scientific Journal of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW - European Policies, Finance and Marketing

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets

   

Editorial Board

Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review

Co-Editor

Financial Planning Research Journal

Vice President, International Relations

Academy of Financial Services, United States.

 

 

This information has been contributed by Associate Professor Cull.

Current Projects

Title: National Tax Clinic 2022-2024
Funder:
  • Australian Taxation Office
Western Researchers: Connie Vitale and Michelle Cull
Years: 2022-01-01 - 2024-12-31
ID: P00027667

Previous Projects

Title: Ethics education in financial planning
Funder:
  • AMP Services Ltd
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull
Years: 2022-11-15 - 2023-12-31
ID: P00028420
Title: FPRJ Early Career Researcher Award - Financial Planning
Funder:
  • Academy of Financial Services United States
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull
Years: 2019-10-11 - 2021-03-15
ID: P00026131
Title: The effects of COVID-19 on the uptake of digital financial advice
Funder:
  • Accounting and Finance Association of Australia & New Zealand
Western Researchers: Greg Cunningham, Michelle Cull, Csilla Skultety and Ann Dadich
Years: 2021-01-01 - 2021-12-31
ID: P00026945
Title: Financial Literacy App
Funder:
  • Teachers Mutual Bank Limited
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull and Catherine Attard
Years: 2019-06-05 - 2021-02-28
ID: P00025881
Title: Career development models for the entry and progression of financial planners
Funder:
  • Financial Planning Association of Australia
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull and Terry Sloan
Years: 2015-12-01 - 2017-03-31
ID: P00023150
Title: Motivating factors for choosing a career in the financial planning profession
Funder:
  • Financial Planning Association of Australia
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull
Years: 2018-12-14 - 2020-02-15
ID: P00025302
Title: National Tax Clinics Program 2020
Funder:
  • Australian Taxation Office
Western Researchers: Connie Vitale and Michelle Cull
Years: 2020-03-13 - 2021-03-13
ID: P00026465
Title: Ethics Education in Personal Financial Planning
Funder:
  • Financial Planning Association of Australia
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull
Years: 2016-12-01 - 2018-03-31
ID: P00023828
Title: National Tax Clinics program trial
Funder:
  • Australian Taxation Office
Western Researchers: Michelle Cull and Connie Vitale
Years: 2019-03-04 - 2020-03-02
ID: P00025608

Supervision

Current Supervision

Thesis Title: Accounting and Financial Decision-Making in Migrant Small Businesses in Australia: Application of Theories and Ethnicity
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: How will the Financial Planning Industry need to Adapt to Changing Customer Needs and Circumstances
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: What is the role for financial planners in identifying, reporting and preventing the financial abuse of older Australians
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: "Building a system of indicators to assess the effectiveness of financial autonomy mechanism for public universities in Vietnam"
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Business Model of Non-University Providers in NSW, Australia: A Multiple Case Study Analysis.
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Financial Literacy and Financial Planning Process among young professionals across various cultures: An Investigation in an emerging economy.
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: MyRetirement: market risk and servicing costs - lifting the veil of disengagement.
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: How to Promote Empathic Financial Planning
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: MRES International coursework
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Tax and Financial Literacy Interventions for Vulnerable Groups in Australia: A Mixed Method Study to Enhance Financial Well-being
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Personal Financial Planning of the Emerging Middle-class in Bangladesh: A case study
Field of Research: Accounting; Banking, Finance And Related Fields, N.e.c.; Business And Management, N.e.c.; Investment And Securities

Previous Supervision

Thesis Title: Building a System of Indicators to Assess the Effectiveness of Financial Autonomy of Public Universities in Viet Nam
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Disclosure of tax information as corporate social responsibility: an Australian study
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Personal Financial Planning of the Emerging Middle-class in Bangladesh: A case study
Field of Research: Accounting; Banking, Finance And Related Fields, N.e.c.; Business And Management, N.e.c.; Investment And Securities
Thesis Title: How leadership style and values of Australian CEOs are reflected in the financial decisions made
Field of Research: Business And Management; Accounting; Business And Management, N.e.c.

Media

Title: What motivates people to become financial planners?
Description: Money & Life Magazine
Title: 'That trumped everything???: Helping others the key motivator to becoming an adviser
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Patricia didn't grow up with money. Here's how she's building her financial literacy
Description: ABC Everyday
Title: Patricia didn't grow up with money. Here's how she's building her financial literacy
Description: ABC Everyday
Title: Australia's special dependency on volunteers to battle bushfires
Description: Business Daily Media
Title: Australia's special dependency on volunteers to battle bushfires
Description: Business Daily Media
Title: Documentation: The bridge to the other side
Description: Ethics for Advisers: A Professional Planner Podcast Series
Title: Extension Reading - Applied ethical and professional reasoning and communication
Description: FG003 FASEA Exam Preparation Guidance
Title: App to aid student budget
Description: Fairfield Advance
Title: In Brief: 'Ethics should sit above the law'
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Above and beyond the law
Description: Professional Planner: Professional Education
Title: Value beyond money: Australia???s special dependence on volunteer firefighters
Description: The Conversation
Title: Advisers expect $140k, but salary not important
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Advisers warned not to take FASEA delay for granted
Description: Professional Planner
Title: FPA-backed academic journal announces awards
Description: Independent Financial Adviser
Title: Financial Planning Research Journal announces award winners
Description: Money Management
Title: Active kids vouchers a little help but parents still concerned with rising cost of kids sports
Description: Daily Telegraph
Title: New financial adviser competency rankings out soon
Description: The Australian Financial Review
Title: New financial adviser competency rankings out soon
Description: The Australian Financial Review
Title: Business sentiment up in Western Sydney
Description: Western Sydney University News Centre
Title: FPEC announces winners of the 2018 Financial Planning Academic Research Grants
Description: Adviser Voice
Title: Are kids sports becoming too expensive to play?
Description: ABC - Overnights with Trevor Chappell
Title: The cost of junior cricket may be high but compassion is not out yet
Description: ABC News
Title: Cost of youth sport blindsiding parents
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Cost of youth sport blindsiding parents
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Pay to play: is participating in sport becoming too expensive for everyday Australians?
Description: SBS
Title: Exciting business alliance
Description: Good Morning Macarthur
Title: WSU offers advisersadvanced standing with challenge units
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Already time to start planning for adviser education
Description: Professional Planner
Title: Pay to play: is participating in sport becoming too expensive for everyday Australians?
Description: The Conversation
Title: Cost of playing sport
Description: ABC Perth - Radio Interview
Title: Is participating in sport becoming too expensive?
Description: ABC News Media Article
Title: The cost of participating in sport
Description: ABC Radio Sydney Interview - Afternoons with James Valentine
Title: Is grassroots sports too expensive?
Description: 2ser 107.3 Radio interview
Title: Is participating in sport becoming too expensive for everyday Australians?
Description: Macquarie Sports Radio - interview with David Morrow and Tony Leonard
Title: Is taking part in sport turning into too costly for common Australians?
Description: The Stuffnews
Title: Michelle Cull - The Rising Cost of Junior Sport Participation in NSW
Description: 2NM - Breakfast Radio - interview with Andrew (The Bear) Reynolds
Title: Rising Cost of Junior Sport - Michelle Cull
Description: Audioboom
Title: Wesley School for Seniors Newsbites
Description: Wesley Mission School for Seniors Newsletter
Title: What if the biggest barrier to kids playing sport is cost?
Description: Player FM
Title: Is sport becoming too expensive to play?
Description: Perth LIVE 6PR
Title: Study finds families struggle to keep kids active
Description: Weekend Sunrise (Channel 7)
Title: Ethics: What Ought One Do?
Description: Money & Life Magazine: CPD Monthly
Title: Ethics Education in Financial Planning Courses
Description: Money & Life (News and Opinion)
Title: 7 Characteristics of Trust
Description: Money & Life
Title: Laws must recognise value of current advisers
Description: Financial Observer
Title: Research finds changes to financial advice sector will rebuild public trust
Description: Western Sydney University News Centre
Title: Trust, education go hand in hand
Description: Financial Observer
Title: Mentors vital to develop nextgen advisers
Description: Financial Observer
Title: Study examines changes to financial planning profession
Description: Western Sydney University News Centre
Title: Trust demands adviser competency, reform
Description: Financial Observer
Title: FPEC Research Grant winners announced
Description: FPA Express
Title: Financial Planning by Degrees
Description: Newspaper Article (The Australian)

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