AICPA & CIMA to recognize accounting educators

The AICPA & CIMA have begun accepting nominations for their EDGE in Teaching Awards and Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Awards. 

Both awards will go to accounting educators at the college level for outstanding achievements in the field, as well as contribution to shaping the best new talent for the profession. The AICPA & CIMA want to recognize educators who are helping fill the pipeline of new accountants as the profession copes with a serious shortage of young people who are entering the field.

"It is an honor to recognize these excellent educators for their contributions to the profession," said Jan Taylor, AICPA & CIMA senior director of academic and student engagement, and academic in residence, in a statement Wednesday. "They are the key to not only inspiring students to be excited about their future careers, but also building young professionals with the right technical, technological, and higher-thinking skills needed to bring the accounting profession into the future."

EDGE in Teaching Awards

Interested candidates can apply for two EDGE in Teaching Awards, both of which recognize the outstanding contributions of accounting faculty who produce leading-edge teaching resources to their students:

• Bea Sanders/AICPA & CIMA EDGE in Teaching Award in an Introductory Level Course: The goal of this award is to recognize exceptional teaching in introductory accounting courses, enhancing the attractiveness of the major.

• George Krull/Grant Thornton EDGE in Teaching Award in a Junior- or Senior-Level Course: The intent of this award is to both recognize and disseminate successful leading-edge practices in the teaching of junior- or senior-level accounting courses that continue to enhance accounting majors' interest in accounting and to encourage pursuing the CPA profession as a career.

Nominees can be an individual or group of individuals, and faculty members are able to nominate themselves. The teaching practice may not be a commercial product for which the faculty member has a financial interest. 

Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award

The DAAE Award recognizes full-time college accounting educators distinguished for excellence in teaching and national prominence in the accounting profession. With this award, the AICPA hopes to extend profession-wide recognition to the recipient and promote role models in academia.

State CPA societies and individuals can submit nominations for the annual award. However, self-nominations are not accepted.

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2024.

A&A Focus Series

Separately, the AICPA & CIMA began offering an AICPA A&A Focus Series of one-hour broadcasts Wednesday to keep members up to date on developments and issues in accounting, auditing and assurance. The discussions will be led by different thought leaders in the profession, and attendees will earn one CPE credit, which will be free to AICPA members.

The series aims to help auditors recognize the latest news and most pressing issues facing A&A practitioners, recall information on important trends and regulatory activities, identify practical and technical analysis of current topics, and find helpful resources and tools.

The first episode of the series featured Carl Mayes, AICPA & CIMA vice president of audit and accounting quality, and Bob Durak, director of A&A technical services and the AICPA's Center for Plain English Accounting. For more information, visit the A&A Focus resource page.