Secretariat
Ms Denise Gallagher, BA, MSc, FICA
As many colleagues will already know, Ms Denise Gallagher, former Senior Teaching Fellow in the Business School (Accounting and Finance Division), died on 11 June 2012.
Denise took up her post in 2002. She brought with her a wealth of previous experience in accountancy, information systems and higher education. She began her career as a computer programmer in the mid-1960s but after a short period opted to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. Having worked as a senior auditor with a major accountancy firm for a number of years, she moved into independent practice, for much of the time combining this with a part-time lecturing appointment in accountancy. In 1987, she was appointed Senior Lecturer in Financial Reporting in the Business School at the University of Huddersfield. She remained in this post until 2000, when she moved to Manchester Metropolitan University as Senior Lecturer in Accounting Information Systems. This was a part-time post, enabling her to spend the remainder of her time on a variety of other academic and consultancy assignments.
Denise took a particular interest in the use of information technology within education, and was an able and enthusiastic proponent of the benefits of computer based learning throughout her career. Her activities in this regard were not confined to higher education but also embraced the business and commercial sectors. She also took a keen interest in the use of technology in the assessment of professional accounting examination papers. A study she carried out in this regard for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (of which she was a Fellow) formed the basis of her dissertation for her MSc in Multimedia and Education at the University of Huddersfield. Her publications include articles on computer assisted learning; workbooks on understanding accounts and management accounts; and, jointly with D Booth, a series of text books on aspects of Sage integrated accounting software.
Within the Business School, Denise taught Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting and Management Accounting across all levels, from first-year undergraduates to MBA students. Enriched by her many years’ experience, her teaching prowess was considerable; the feedback from her students was testament to the esteem in which she was held by them. In her, they also found a compassionate and understanding ear during any times of difficulty. Unfailingly helpful and constructive, and generous with her time and support, Denise was equally popular among her colleagues.
Denise took early retirement in 2009 but continued to work on a part-time basis until stricken with her final illness. Throughout her illness, she kept in regular touch with her colleagues.
Married to Michael, Denise was a loving wife and mother, and a dedicated grandmother.