About the American Accounting Association

The American Accounting Association is a nonprofit organization concerned with how the profession of accounting is taught. The members receive resources, continuing education through professional meetings, and journals. It has a global mission to provide excellence in accounting.

History

The American Accounting Association started in 1916. Orginally called "The American Association of University Instructors in Accounting, the organization grew in 1974 when it absorbed the American Taxation Association. The "Accounting, Behavior and Organizations" section was formed in 1981. By 1982, it grew to 224 members. Twenty years later more than 1300 members have joined the section.

Each section monitors and desseminates research and accounting practices that relate to a particular subject area. Other sections of the American Accounting Association include auditing, government and nonprofit accounting, gender equity, and diversity.

Function

The organization exists to "promote worldwide excellence in accounting education, research, and practice." To carry out this mission it puts a serious effort into advocacy. This involves identifying and helping to establish standards for accounting practices around issues that may impact the future of accounting education.

Types

The American Accounting Association publishes three electronic journals: "The Accounting Review," "Issues in Accounting Education," and "Accounting Horizons." (See Resources.) All three journals are used by accounting educators and students in the classroom and are among some of the resources provided by the American Accounting Association.

Features

The association sponsors annual conferences and meetings to benefit members. Papers and proposals that will be presented at the annual meetings must be submitted for consideration well in advance. Exibitors include members as well as vendors that serve accounting professionals. The association also awards prizes, including the Wildman Medal for innovative accounting research and a competitive award for doctors of accounting who demonstrate innovations in accounting education.

Geography

The American Accounting Association is located in Sarasota, Florida. It divides its membership into six regional groups. Most of them are multi-state areas like the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Western regions. Ohio constitutes its own region. Each region conducts annual meetings that gather and focus on the region's particular issues of importance to accounting. Membership rates depend on whether you want one, two, or three journal subscriptions. Students can join for a discounted rate.

Resources

• American Accounting Association