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Seedwell

Sithole

Biography

Career

Projects & Grants

Supervision

Outputs

Associate Professor Seedwell Sithole has over 26 years of experience in research, teaching, administration, and student supervision at various universities in Australia and internationally. He served as the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching at the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics (TSBE), University of Tasmania (UTAS) from 2019 to 2022. In this role, he strategically directed TSBE's learning, teaching, and academic quality, earning acclaim as an award-winning educator known for innovative course design and delivery. His responsibilities included data analysis for continuous improvement, contributing to debates, and fostering a culture of excellence and efficiency in learning and teaching. Seedwell received the UTAS 2020 Vice Chancellor’s Course and Curriculum Transformation Award.

Having been in diverse academic roles, including Assurance of Learning Academic Lead at Western Sydney University, Head of Accounting Discipline at Midlands State University, and Head Tutor at the University of Wollongong, he brings a learner-centered approach to teaching and research focusing on student cognitive load. He has been appointed as a Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia, aiming to contribute to high-quality research and elevate research activities and standards at that university. Seedwell has previously held academic positions as an Accounting Lecturer in the MBA program at the University of KwaZulu Natal and as the Head of Accounting Discipline at the University of Swaziland.

Seedwell is a CPA-qualified accountant with six years of industry experience. Seedwell’s commitment to excellence, both in teaching, research, and other collaborative activities, shows his standing as a distinguished Associate Professor of Accounting.


Awards & achievements

2021
Curriculum Alignment with Industry Needs
CPA Australia
2013
International Postgraduate Award
UOW
2020
Vice Chancellor’s Course and Curriculum Transformation Award
UTAS

Professional associations

Certified Practising Accountant (CPA)
Accountant

Expertise

Associate
Professor Seedwell Sithole’s research lies at the intersection of accounting
education, cognitive psychology, and curriculum design, with a strong focus on
enhancing learning effectiveness in higher education, particularly within
accounting. His key research areas include:

•  Accounting education, pedagogy, and curriculum innovation (Interdisciplinary and applied business education)

• Ethics, values, and faith in accounting and business (Integrating sustainability and ethics into business curricula)

• Equity, diversity, and inclusion in business education (Gender and equity in accounting education)

•  Sustainability and responsible business practice (Integration of economic, social and environmental issues in accounting)

•  Cognitive and motivational approaches in accounting and business education (Cognitive Load Theory in accounting, Self-efficacy and motivation, Technology-enhanced learning tools and cognitively aligned assessments)

Proficient in the following research methods and data analysis tools:

    •  Qualitative methods (e.g., thematic analysis, narrative inquiry, action research)

    •  Quantitative methods (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics)

    •  Mixed methods design

    •  Survey design and analysis

    •  Textual and discourse analysis

    •  Curriculum mapping and learning analytics

    •  SPSS and Excel (for quantitative data analysis and visualisation)

    •  NVivo (for qualitative data coding and thematic analysis)

His research
has been published in leading accounting and education journals and informs
curriculum and teaching practices both in Australia and internationally.


Education

Assurance of Learning I & II
AACSB
ULTC - University Learning & Teaching Certificate
University of Wollongong
Certified Practising Accountant (CPA)
CPA Australia
Bachelor of Accountancy Honours
UZ
MSc. in Finance and Investment
NUST
PhD (Accounting)
University of Wollongong
This project explores how Christian faith influences ethical financial decision-making among business students at Avondale University. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, it investigates how students navigate financial choices such as budgeting, giving, and investing, through the lens of faith-based values like stewardship, honesty, and generosity. The research aims to contribute to literature on ethical finance and Christian education while producing journal articles, conference presentations, and teaching case studies.
Role:
Lead Investigator
Funding Type:
Avondale grant
This project examines the gap between academic curricula and industry expectations in management accounting education by comparing insights from educators and practitioners in Australia. Using Curriculum Theory and thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses, the research investigates emerging priorities such as AI, sustainability, and organisational complexity that should inform curriculum design. The findings will support the development of responsive, context-specific curricula that align with evolving business demands and professional competencies.
Role:
Lead Investigator
Funding Type:
Non-funded project
This project involves a case study that engages students in evaluating an Airbnb property investment by integrating environmental, social, and economic factors into the decision-making process. Students assess four property options using financial modelling tools (e.g., NPV, IRR, payback period) alongside criteria such as sustainability, housing affordability, and community impact. The case fosters critical thinking and responsible investment analysis, making it suitable for accounting, finance, and sustainable business courses.
Role:
Lead Investigator
Funding Type:
Non-funded project
Auditors’ perceptions on the communication, usefulness, and challenges of reporting Key Audit Matters (KAM) in enhancing audit transparency and stakeholder understanding.
Role:
Lead Investigator
Funding Type:
Competitive grant
Exploring the use of concept maps as a learning tool in an auditing and assurance class to enhance students’ understanding of key concepts, relationships, and audit processes.
Role:
Lead Investigator
Funding Type:
Competitive grant

Supervision

Year Level Research Title Institution Supervisor Type
Current PhD International Accounting Graduates (IAG) Employment Intentions and Outcomes in Tasmania University of Tasmania Principal
Current PhD Seeking God’s Will: The Role of Christian Spiritual Discernment in Christian School Boards Avondale University Principal
2023 PhD The Impact of Accounting Information Systems on the Quality of Financial Information and Decision Making in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia University of Tasmania Principal
2022 PhD Examining stakeholder engagement in a non-profit organisation: The case of the Men’s Shed Association University of Tasmania Co-supervisor
2020 PhD Heritage Reporting by Australian Public Sector University of Tasmania Principal
2020 PhD Quality Assurance Practices University of Tasmania Principal

Available to supervise PhD students in the following areas:

Accounting education

Cognitive psychology in accounting education

Ethics and faith in financial decision-making

Sustainability and social responsibility

Technology-enhanced learning


Journal articles

  • 2026
    Sithole, S. T.M. (2027). Embedding ESG, sustainability and ethics in accounting assessment: Bridging global standards and educational practice, The International Journal of Management Education, 25 (1) 101518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2026.101518
  • 2025
    Sithole, S. T. M., Ashraf, S. F., Wilmshurst, T. D., & Horner, C. (2025). The role of social responsibility in shaping quality assurance practices in accounting education. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101155
  • 2025
    Beatson, N. J., Sithole, S. T. M., de Lange, P., O'Connell, B., & Smith, J. K. (2025). Sources of self-efficacy beliefs in learning accounting: Does gender matter? Journal of International Education in Business,18(2), 196-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIEB-02-2024-0014
  • 2025
    Sithole, S. T.M., & Ashraf, S. F. (2025). Generative AI in accounting publishing: A bibliometric and thematic analysis of author guidelines with governance and ethical considerations. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21(31), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2025.v21n31p1
  • 2024
    Ashraf, S. F., Wilmshurst, T. D., Sithole, S. T., & Horner, C. (2024). External peer-review models in Australian accounting schools: Current status and perceived effectiveness. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 18(4), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v18i4.02
  • 2023
    Data mining: will first-year results predict the likelihood of completing subsequent units in accounting programs?
  • 2022
    Data mining: will first-year results predict the likelihood of completing subsequent units in accounting programs?
  • 2021
    Learning accounting through visual representations
  • 2019
    Enhancing blended learning materials using cognitive load theory
  • 2019
    Comparing accounting students' instructional preferences: Australia and Zimbabwe
  • 2018
    Application of cognitive load theory in accounting education
  • 2017
    Enhancing students understanding of introductory accounting by integrating split-attention instructional material
  • 2017
    Benefits of guided self-management of attention on learning accounting
  • 2017
    Instructional strategies and students’ performance in accounting: an evaluation of those strategies and the role of gender
  • 2016
    The Effects of Presentation Formats on Understanding Financial Accounting: an Experimental Study
  • 2016
    Benefits of Guided Self-Management of Attention on Learning Accounting.
  • 2016
    The Effects of Presentation Formats on Understanding Financial Accounting: an Experimental Study
  • 2015
    Quality in accounting graduates: Employer expectations of the graduate skills in the bachelor of accounting degree
  • 2015
    Information Technology Knowledge and Skills Accounting Graduates Need
  • 2015
    The Relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium-Sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) in Swaziland
  • 2015
    Information Technology Knowledge and Skills Accounting Graduates Need
  • 2015
    Effect of instructional design on learning the accounting equation in an introductory accounting course
  • 2015
    Quality in accounting graduates: Employer expectations of the graduate skills in the bachelor of accounting degree
  • 2015
    Effect of instructional design on learning the accounting equation in an introductory accounting course
  • 2015
    The Relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium-Sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) in Swaziland
  • 2009
    Bank Failures in Zimbabwe: Lessons from the 2003-2004 Bank-wide Liquidity Crisis
  • 2009
    Bank Failures in Zimbabwe: Lessons from the 2003-2004 Bank-wide Liquidity Crisis
  • 2008
    Financial reporting and regulations in Zimbabwean and Swaziland charities: Towards a practical underpinning
  • 2008
    Financial reporting and regulations in Zimbabwean and Swazi charities: Towards a practical underpinning

Books

Chapters

Conference Publications

  • 2025
    Sithole, S. T. M. (2025, November 24). Coherence or patchwork? Embedding ESG, sustainability, and ethics in accounting assessment [Conference presentation]. RMIT Accounting Educators’ Conference 2025: Accounting education re-imagined: Navigating the now, shaping what’s next, CPA Australia, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2018
    Undergraduate accounting students’ instructional preferences in Australia and Zimbabwe: A comparative study
  • 2018
    Transition from classroom to Blended Online Asynchronous Learning
  • 2018
    Using cognitive load theory compliant instructional resources to enhance learning
  • 2013
    Testing and self-management of cognitive load in accounting. A case example of Zimbabwe university students
  • 2012
    The Relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium Sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) in Swaziland

Theses

  • 2015
    Self-management of cognitive load in accounting within a Zimbabwean University context

Other

  • 2023
    Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia
  • 2023
    Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia
  • 2023
    Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia
  • 2023
    Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia
  • 2023
    Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia
  • 2023
    Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia
  • 2021
    Learning accounting through visual representations
  • 2021
    Comparing Accounting Students’ Instructional Preferences: Australia and Zimbabwe
  • 2017
    Accounting Education: A Cognitive Theory Load Theory Perspective
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