Message from the Director

Dear Mizzou School of Accountancy Alumni and Friends:

Greetings from the University of Missouri! It is with a healthy mix of pride and joy that I write this message to present you with the 2022 School of Accountancy newsmagazine. I am pleased (and relieved!) to report on a whirlwind of activity and accomplishments covering the past two years, subsequent to the challenging pandemic settings that we faced in 2020 and some of 2021. While all of us are learning to live with the new “normal,” I am pleased to report that we have stayed strong and continue to flourish, with our accountancy faculty/staff/student/alumni accomplishments and contributions at the fore.

Our faculty continue their outstanding work in research, teaching, and service activities. Ranging from high quality research publications (pages 14-19) to recognitions and awards (pages 13), our faculty and staff portfolio exemplifies excellence. Our students continue to do us proud, with a variety of activities and accomplishments ranging from participation in extracurricular activities to a national #2 ranking of 521 programs nationally on the CPA Exam Success Index (Accounting Today, February 2021). Their placements are consistently high and geographically diverse, with out-ofstate placements representing a significant and increasing proportion of our placements.

Our alumni’s loyalty and support are inspirational. They give generously of their time, talent, and treasure. They have been steadfast in their support through the initial turmoil of the pandemic and beyond. They share their expertise with our students in various forums and also connect our faculty with guest speakers and research opportunities. They exemplify gratitude for the education that Mizzou provided them by supporting our students, faculty, and programs (please see pages 34-40 for a sample of alumni contributions). This Fall (2022), we have an impressive array of named faculty positions in generous recognition and support of our faculty (see page 10). In short, our alumni have been such an integral and inspirational part of our success.

On the program/curricular side, we have a new Accounting Data Analytics certificate approved for our 150-hour accountancy program. Thus, in addition to Assurance and Taxation, students now also have an option to specialize in the Analytics area. All three areas are in high demand in our program. The addition of professional development programs and thought leadership events (e.g., Orin Ethics Symposium, Dawdy Speaker Series, Women’s Leadership Forum as shown on pages 21-23, 44-51) have also been beneficial, building valuable supplements to our students’ coursework and strengthening their connections to the accounting profession and the business world at large. The recognition of our program by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) for its Higher Education Endorsement program and the Institute of Internal Auditors for its partnership program are examples of the external affirmations of our accountancy program at Mizzou. The active presence and growth of recruiters on campus serve to highlight the value attached to our program, faculty/staff, and students.

I am forever grateful for the support of our alumni, friends, corporate partners, and supporters toward the continual advancement of the Mizzou School of Accountancy. Thank you!

M-I-Z,

Vairam Arunachalam Director, School of Accountancy