IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants) has a new professor-in-residence: Laurie Burney, Ph.D., CMA, CSCA, associate professor of accounting and holder of the J.E. Bush Professorship in Accounting at Baylor University. Burney will serve as IMA’s top academic volunteer leader for a three-year term while continuing to advocate for and teach management accounting at Baylor. She replaces Raef Lawson, Ph.D., CMA, CSCA, CFA, CAE, who served in this role and as IMA vice president of research and policy for more than 14 years.

In her new role, Burney will serve as the liaison between IMA and the university communities, helping to grow the next generation of accountants and expand the profession as a whole. This will include raising awareness about both IMA and the CMA^® (Certified Management Accountant) certification. 

“I am honored and elated to be volunteering with IMA in this capacity. Being part of the organization throughout my career as a member and CMA, I have seen the benefits and opportunities IMA provides to academics, professionals, and students. I look forward to being part of the IMA team to assist them in pursuing and realizing that change in their lives,” said Burney.

Burney has three decades of experience as a university professor and researcher, publishing in top scholarly publications, contributing to knowledge through basic research, pedagogical studies, as well as to the management accounting practice, and presenting in various capacities. Prior to her roles in academia, Burney worked in public accounting and for a government agency, and earned her CMA in 1993 and CSCA^® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) in 2017.

“We are happy to have Laurie as part of our team to bring her teaching experience to on-the-job practice. She has contributed to IMA in various capacities as a professional and academic and will continue to do so in her new role as we emerge from the pandemic stronger and ready to serve our present and future members,” said Lisa Beaudoin, CMA, CSCA, CAE, IMA senior director, business development.

Burney recently represented IMA at the AAA (American Accounting Association) Annual Meeting on August 2-5. She participated in a session titled “How to Integrate IMA Resources into the Classroom,” a lively discussion about IMA resources for the classroom and curriculum, including case studies, competitions, podcasts, free professional development courses on data analytics and RPA, and the CMA Scholarship.

Burney can be reached at Laurie_Burney@baylor.edu.