Rate My Professor Hussein Tarraf

Hussein Tarraf serves as Visiting Instructor of Accounting in the Accounting and Finance Department at Oakland University. He teaches accounting courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Tarraf earned a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Lawrence Technological University in 2012, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Wayne State University in 2001, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from The Lebanese University in 1998. He holds certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA since 2007), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE since 2008), and Certified Internal Control Auditor (CICA since 2015). In addition to his role at Oakland University, Tarraf has taught at the American University of Beirut, University of Notre Dame, and Madonna University, where he is Associate Professor of Accounting and Program Director of Accounting and Finance.

Tarraf's research examines corporate governance, risk taking, and financial performance in bank holding companies. He co-authored the paper titled "Impact of Risk Taking on Bank Financial Performance during 2008 Financial Crisis" with Karl Majeske, published in the Journal of Finance and Accountancy. The study, using data from 2006 to 2009, found no significant relationship between corporate governance scores and risk-taking levels but demonstrated that lower risk taking correlated with superior financial performance, as measured by return on assets and return on equity. Tarraf established the Hussein Tarraf Scholarship at Oakland University, which awards $1,500 to Master of Accounting students or undergraduate accounting majors. His professional achievements include induction into the Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry in 2024 and selection as a member of the IRS Advisory Council. As owner of Tarraf & Associates PC, he provides tax advisory, assurance, and wealth management services to small- and medium-sized businesses and high-net-worth individuals. He is a member of the Michigan Association of CPAs, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (founding president of the Lebanese chapter), American Institute of CPAs, and National Association of Tax Professionals, and has contributed to conferences and journals.