IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) will host two of its popular “Faculty Friday” webinars this fall, on September 11 and September 25. These hour-long webinars cover in-demand topics that can add excitement and energy to the classroom experience. 

The next webinar, “Differentiate Your Accounting Curriculum Through IMA’s Higher Education Endorsement Program,” will be held on September 11 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. EDT. Featured speakers are Roopa Venkatesh, Ph.D., CMA, associate professor of accounting at University of Nebraska at Omaha and member of the IMA Global Board; and Michael Easterday, CMA, CPA, CIA, senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. 

During the webinar, Venkatesh and Easterday will provide detailed guidance on the application and review process for the IMA Higher Education Endorsement Program. They will discuss how becoming an IMA-endorsed school can allow a university to gain recognition as a leader in accounting/management accounting education, as well as benefit critical stakeholders. Visit this link to register.

On September 25, from 1-2 p.m. EDT, IMA will host a second Faculty Friday titled, “The Bots Are Coming…to Intro Accounting.” Featured speakers are Jennifer Cainas, CPA, DBA, clinical professor at University of South Florida; Tracie Miller-Nobles, CPA, associate professor at Austin Community College; and Wendy Tietz, CMA, CSCA, CPA, professor at Kent State University.

This webinar will cover the seemingly daunting task of introducing robotic process automation (RPA) and bots into an entry-level accounting course. The presenters will discuss what RPA is, why it needs to be taught even in an introductory course, and where to find RPA classroom resources that are designed for the learner – or instructor – who has no knowledge of RPA. Visit this link to register.

Also on September 25, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. EDT, IMA will host a special Faculty Friday Student Edition, featuring members of the IMA Small Business Committee (SBC) who will share insights about their career paths. During the webinar, moderated by Shari Littan, CPA, JD, IMA manager of corporate reporting technical activities and SBC staff liaison, the panelists will describe how they can wear “all hats” and, at the same time, apply their expertise well beyond financial reporting to respond to real-world business needs, such as cash flow planning, succession planning, business model development, human resources compliance, supply chain management, and helping with access to capital. This is a great opportunity for students (and faculty) to hear more about this exciting career path that some may have not previously considered. Visit this link to register.

In addition, a recorded version of the most recent IMA Faculty Friday webinar, held on July 31 and titled “Pivot to Virtual: Turn-Key Content for the Classroom,” is available on the IMA website. You can view the entire Faculty Friday library on the IMA website. Note: Recorded webinars are not eligible for CPE credit.

Members who have an idea for a webinar or would like to lead one in the future should contact Jodi Ryan, CAE, IMA director of member engagement, at jryan@imanet.org.