Welcome to the Federation of Schools of Accountancy web site.  I hope that you find it useful as we strive to serve full member schools, accredited affiliate schools, affiliate schools, not-for-profits, and private enterprise associates.  A major focus of the FSA is to promote and assist accredited accounting programs to enhance accounting education, especially graduate education.  In 2007-08 we are actively pursuing various ways that FSA can be more proactive in providing this assistance.  For example regarding the Ph.D. shortage issue, at the most recent AAA meeting we sponsored (along with the AAA and APLG) a breakfast for Ph.D. coordinators to provide a forum to discuss their issues.  We are also working with the AACSB to become more involved in the accreditation standard review process.  Fortunately, the FSA has a number of talented individuals to make some exciting and useful things happen in 2007-08 and beyond.

It is my honor to serve as President of FSA for 2007-2008 along Casper Wiggins (North Carolina-Charlotte), Vice President-President Elect, Paul Shoemaker (Nebraska), Secretary, and Larry Walther (Texas-Arlington), Treasurer.  FSA Board members for 2006-07 are Ross Jennings (Texas), Mary Stone (Alabama), Gary McGill (Florida), Kathy Shoztic (Deloitte), Blane Ruschak (KPMG), and Jerry Trapnell (AACSB).  Many thanks go to Dan Hollingsworth (Mississippi State) for his tireless work as President in 2006-07.  Dan will continue to serve the FSA as Past President in 2007-08 and I look forward to Dan’s assistance.  We also owe a hearty thanks to Andy Judd (Central Florida), President for 2005-06, who served as Past President in 2006-07, along with John Wilguess (Oklahoma State), board member and Casper Wiggins (North Carolina-Charlotte), Treasurer.

A highlight of the FSA is the joint meeting with APLG.  For the fourth consecutive year, the FSA and APLG will join together for the APLG/FSA Annual Seminar, which will be held at Double Tree Guest Suites in Charleston, South Carolina on February 10-12, 2008.  The meeting promises to be a success based on some tentative topics such as: an accreditation update, the future of the accounting profession, NASBA issues, and the Ph.D. shortage.  Martha Doran (San Diego State University), FSA program chair, and Jim Young (Northern Iowa), APLG program chair, have done a great job in planning this meeting.  The APLG/FSA Annual Seminar is becoming the key meeting to attend to obtain the latest information on issues facing accounting education.  To assist in obtaining key speakers that can provide insightful and thought-provoking information to participates, the FSA Board voted to allocate up to $10,000 for nationally recognized speakers who might not otherwise be available.  In addition to the joint meeting, the AACSB plans to again have an accounting accreditation seminar prior to the meeting.  This allows participants to arrive a day or two early and attend two meetings.

Another highlight of the FSA is the joint faculty consortium held with Deloitte in Chicago each spring.  Kathy Shoztic (Deloitte) has been instrumental in making this consortium outstanding.  Through the generosity of the Deloitte Foundation (and Shaun Budnik, Foundation President), free registration and one night’s hotel cost is provided to selected faculty from member schools.  In May 2007 the faculty consortium was held at the Intercontinental Hotel and focused on measuring fair value.  Participants heard from numerous experts from accounting practice and academia on the issues surrounding the implementation of FASB 157 and how the profession is addressing implementation.  The 2008 Deloitte/FSA Faculty Consortium is scheduled for May 15-16, 2008 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago.  No doubt that the planning committee will again develop an outstanding program for faculty from member schools.

Other areas in which the FSA is monitoring or involved with include: NASBA’s study of changing the requirements to take the CPA exam, international accounting issues, and educational challenges facing the profession (e.g., fair value accounting).  In addition, the FSA continues to seek ways to improve accounting education.  Historically, FSA has focused on administrators of accounting programs, especially those with graduate programs.  Yet, as evidenced by our joint meeting with APLG and the faculty consortium, FSA is also striving to meet the needs of a broader accounting education constituent while achieving its mission related to accredited accounting programs.

In conclusion, we welcome your input on how to improve FSA and better help the organization to meet the needs of all its members. You can contact me or any of the officers or board members listed on the web site.  My email is bbehn@utk.edu and phone number is 865-974-1760.

Thank you very much!

Bruce K. Behn