2026 Leadership in Accounting Education Section Midyear Meeting

Registration (in lobby at Emabssy Suites)

Registration

Table Top Exhibits: Becker and Gleim Internet, Inc.

Light Breakfast (Reminder: Those staying at the Embassy Suites, Breakfast is included)

Welcome/ Plenary Opening Session

1.01: Surviving and Thriving in the 150 to 120 hour Meltdown
This session examines the evolving CPA licensure environment as states evaluate or move toward alternatives to the 150-hour requirement, including 120-hour pathways. Participants will analyze regulatory drivers, assess the impact on accounting talent pipelines, and explore strategies for academic institutions, employers, and state boards to protect educational quality and licensure readiness amid ongoing uncertainty. The session emphasizes actionable responses to maintain program integrity, support student success, and ensure workforce stability as the profession navigates this period of disruption.

Break

2.01: Leading Together: Building Ethical, Collaborative, and High-Trust Academic Departments
This session explores how accounting department leaders can foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and shared purpose when working with deans, faculty, and professional staff. Academic units thrive when leadership is distributed and relationships are grounded in trust and transparency. Through interactive discussion and case examples, panelists will highlight practical strategies for aligning departmental goals with college and institutional priorities, communicating effectively across levels, and managing the tensions that naturally arise in academic administration. Participants will leave with actionable tools to strengthen relationships and promote a culture in which ethical and collaborative leadership can flourish.

Awards/Keynote Speaker

3.01: How to Start and Grow a Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance ( VITA) Program
This session provides accounting educators, nonprofit leaders, and practitioners with a comprehensive roadmap for launching and scaling a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Participants will learn how to establish partnerships with the IRS and local institutions, recruit and train students and community volunteers, maintain compliance with IRS Publication 1084 and Form 13615 requirements, and design sustainable operating models that deliver measurable community impact. The panel will share lessons learned from existing university and community VITA programs—covering everything from technology setup and site certification to quality review, data security, funding, and student engagement strategies that connect service learning with professional skill development.

Break

4.01: Navigating Through the AACSB Review Process: Initial and Continuing
This session provides an in-depth exploration of the AACSB accreditation review process from both the initial accreditation and continuous improvement perspectives. Designed for accounting department chairs, program directors, and coordinators, the session demystifies the stages of review, documentation expectations, and peer-review team interactions. Panelists—representing programs at various stages of the AACSB journey—will share strategies, lessons learned, and practical tips for maintaining compliance with evolving AACSB standards while fostering innovation and program quality.

5:45 pm - 6:45 pm

Reception (at Embassy Suites)

Registration

Table Top Exhibits: Becker and Gleim Internet, Inc.

Light Breakfast

5.01: Best Practices in Designing Faculty Mentoring Programs
This session provides a structured, evidence-based overview of how colleges and universities can design, implement, and sustain effective faculty mentoring programs. The session examines core components of mentoring frameworks, including mentor selection, training, workload considerations, incentives, assessment, and alignment with institutional goals. Participants will review current best practices in mentoring new, mid-career, and diverse faculty populations, explore common pitfalls, and evaluate models that support faculty development, retention, and long-term academic success.

6.01: Get Endorsed! Insider Tips from IIA and IMA
Get Endorsed! Insider Tips from IIA and IMA” will provide department leaders and faculty with a practical, behind-the-scenes look at earning program endorsement from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Representatives from both organizations, along with department chairs and faculty who have successfully completed the endorsement process, will walk through key steps, timelines, and documentation requirements. Panelists will highlight the strategic benefits of endorsement for students, programs, and employers and share candid advice on how to build internal support, address common challenges, and position your program for success.

Break

7.01: Teaching in the Age of Intelligence: Integrating AI and Emerging Technologies into Accounting Education
Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and advanced analytics are redefining the accounting profession—and reshaping what and how we teach. This interactive session explores how AI-driven tools, data technologies, and automation are transforming both accounting curricula and the skills expected of graduates. Accounting department chairs, program directors, and coordinators will gain practical insights into aligning their programs with technological competencies demanded by employers, accrediting bodies, and the CPA Evolution model. Participants will discuss strategies for integrating AI applications into coursework, balancing innovation with academic integrity, and preparing students to thrive in a tech-enabled profession.