Dr. Silviya Kostova

Dr. Silviya Kostova is an associate professor at the Department of Control and Analysis of Economic Activity at the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov, Bulgaria. She has been a certified public auditor since 2012. She is a member of the Control Board of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Bulgaria. She holds a quality certificate for an internal auditor and a quality certificate for a lead auditor. She is an evaluator of research projects at the national and international level.

Her scientific interests are in the field of corporate sustainability, financial control, auditing, professional conduct and digitalization. She has participated as a project coordinator and expert in more than ten scientific and European projects. Dr. Kostova is the author and co-author of more than 50 scientific papers, books and articles, including publications in  Scopus and WoS. She is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Studies in Education and Science (IJSES) and Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology and a reviewer in International Advances in Economic Research, in the journals JRFM, Sustainability, Applied Sciences, JTAER, etc. at MDPI (Basel, Switzerland).

If you recall, what influenced your decision to become a member of the International Atlantic Economic Society?

I became a member of the International Atlantic Economic Society because I value a professional environment where scholarly dialogue is open and intellectually rigorous. The IAES brings together economists, auditors, and researchers who share a vision for sustainable development and innovative solutions. For me, it is a platform that broadens my perspective and connects me with leading scholars from around the world.

What types of projects/research are you currently working on and what inspired/motivated you to pursue these interests?

I am currently working on models for assessing corporate sustainability, auditing approaches to ESG reporting and integrated control, as well as the application of artificial intelligence in auditing and financial oversight. My motivation comes from the need for reliable methodologies that strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust in the business environment. I believe modern auditing must combine strong professional expertise with technological foresight.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering entering your line of work/field of study?

My advice is to stay curious, think critically, and embrace interdisciplinary learning across auditing, economics, law, data, and technology. This field demands precision, ethics, and the confidence to ask difficult questions. The most successful professionals are those who understand the value of detail and the importance of producing work that contributes positively to society.

Going forward, what other projects/research are you planning to or hoping to pursue?

I plan to deepen my research in sustainability assurance, automated audit procedures, and the use of AI in risk assessment. I am also interested in conducting international comparative analyses on the evolution of integrated reporting and assurance mechanisms that will shape future regulatory standards.

What’s your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobbies are dancing and traveling, two ways of discovering new energy, cultures, and rhythms that help me maintain creativity and balance within a demanding academic environment.