The 23rd annual Accounting Alumni Appreciation Day at Middle Tennessee State University will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business and Aerospace Building.

The event targets those interested in accounting, taxation and computer training. The fee will be $125 for MTSU alumni and $175 for all others. Net proceeds will be earmarked for accounting scholarships. Lunch will be provided in the Student Union.

Participants will earn eight hours of Continuing Professional Education credit and have the opportunity to visit with alumni and former professors and see how the campus is changing. Seating is limited, so participants should register early at www.mtsu.edu/accounting/appreciation_day.php.

Scheduled speakers and topics include:

• MTSU alumnus Phil Williams, an award-winning investigative reporter with NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, who will speak on fraud.
• L. Rene Brison, assistant director with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Special Investigative Unit, who will present a session on accounting and internal controls.
• MTSU professor Paula Thomas, who will present a Financial Accounting Standards Board update to finish the morning sessions.

During the afternoon general sessions, Matt Kefauver with LBMC Technologies LLC will discuss cloud computing. David Tiller with the Small Business Administration will end the conference with a session on “Tennessee Small Business Issues.”

Breakout sessions and leaders will include:

• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Access — Tammy Bahmanziari, MTSU associate professor.
• Professional Skepticism — Rebekah Heath, MTSU assistant professor.
• Issues in Taxation — Kim Honaker, MTSU assistant professor.
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board Update — G. Robert Smith, chair, MTSU Department of Accounting.

For more information, call the MTSU Department of Accounting at 615-898-5306.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)