Mike Wiggins
Georgia Southern University
Dear GAAE Members,
Welcome to another exciting year with the Georgia Association of Accounting Educators.
The Board of Directors of the GAAE is busy preparing for our 2027 Annual Meeting.
Our theme this year is: “AI, Technology and the Future of Accounting.”
AI has become a dominant theme in many professions, and accounting is no exception. I recently met with several parents of prospective students and when they found out I served in an accounting department, I was repeatedly asked, “Will AI replace accounting?” This is an issue with which we must deal for the ongoing health of the accounting profession and our status as educators. Considering that in last year’s conference, nearly half of the presentations were on AI, Georgia accounting academics agree.
Save the Date:
Our upcoming conference will be February 5–6, 2027 at Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro Campus. Georgia Southern features a first rate botanical garden and the Raptor Center, which is visited by more than 17,000 annually. Statesboro has great dining and the popular Eagle Creek Brewery. Nearby Savannah is of course one of the most popular tourist spots in the South.
Keynote Speaker Highlight:
Tammie Williams, CPA, MAcc, is an engaging speaker. She serves as the CFO of the Georgia Aquarium. She was formerly a VP for Warner Brothers-Discovery and controller for Turner Broadcasting Network. She has worked in a number of industries, including finance and high-tech. She’s also an academic, currently an adjunct faculty member at Georgia Southern University’s School of Accountancy and she was formerly on the faculty of Georgia State. She was a double major in accounting and computer information systems. She is well positioned to speak on the technology issues that face our profession.
Call for Proposals
Our conference is made strong by the contributions of GAAE members. We welcome presentations focusing on the industry, the lecture hall, or your research. Submit your session proposal by November 30, 2026, and help shape a program that reflects the best of our profession.
To guide your proposals, we are pleased to announce five major conference tracks for 2027:
- The Threat of AI in the Classroom
- Technology and AI and Changes in the Profession
- Classroom Advice for Educators
- Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
We encourage proposals that are interactive, practice-focused, and forward-thinking—ideas that will not only enrich your colleagues’ teaching but also prepare students to excel in a rapidly evolving profession.
Why Attend?
This is a chance to meet new colleagues and see old friends. You can share your research or classroom experience in an environment where your contributions are appreciated and understood. It’s also an opportunity to keep up on your CPEs, as many hours will be offered.
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On behalf of the GAAE Board, I’m looking forward to seeing you in February. Please use the links provided on our website to register and book your accommodations.
See you in Statesboro!
Mike Wiggins
2026-2027 President
Georgia Association of Accounting Educators