The AICPA & CIMA have opened the application period for the EDGE in Teaching Awards and Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award. The two awards highlight accounting educators at the college level for their outstanding achievements in the field, and for their contribution to shaping the best new talent for the profession.

As the profession grapples with a talent shortage, the AICPA & CIMA are committed to boosting the pipeline of talented, passionate professionals entering accounting. Educators are vital partners in this shared goal of providing the highest quality accounting education and learning opportunities to future accountants.

“It is an honor to recognize these excellent educators for their contributions to the profession,” said Jan Taylor, CPA, CGMA, PhD, AICPA & CIMA senior director of academic and student engagement, and academic in residence. “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.”

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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 intent 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.

“Winning this award was an honor,” said Holly Hawk, PhD, CPA, CGMA, clinical assistant professor at Clemson University, and winner of the 2023 George Krull/Grant Thornton Edge in Teaching Award for her senior-level internal audit IT tests project. “My goal has always been to get students excited about accounting, while preparing them to the best of my ability to be the best accountants they can be. And in turn I get excited seeing them build knowledge in different areas simultaneously, then applying that knowledge in the classroom successfully.”

Detailed criteria for the awards can be found at the links above. An entrant may be an individual or group of individuals, and faculty members may self-nominate. 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 aims to extend profession-wide recognition to the recipient and promote role models in academia.

The 2023 DAAE award recipient Thomas Weirich, PhD, CPA, professor at Central Michigan University, was recognized for his distinguished 50-year teaching career. Educators such as Weirich exemplify the CPA vision, are involved in curriculum development, and are displaying excellence in teaching, research, and service both to the profession and the public. DAAE recipients are deeply involved and engaged in shaping the next generation of accountants.

State CPA societies and individuals may submit nominations for the annual award. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Interested parties can click the embedded links for more information. Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2024.

Accounting