Bridging research and practice was the theme of the May 2026 conference marking the 40th anniversary of Accounting Horizons, one of the leading academic accounting journals in the world. Conference discussions focused on the most pressing issues in the field at a time of unprecedented industry changes.
Panel of experts discuss research on emerging issues in financial planning at Accounting Horizons Conference. Photo by Greg Johnson/Costello College of Business.
According to Long Chen, area chair and professor of accounting at the Costello College of Business, who helped organize the event, organizers believe this to be the first time in the conference's 40-year history that standard-setters, practitioners, and academics gathered in equal representation to debate the changes facing the accounting profession.
“This new format differed from the traditional accounting conference structure—typically almost entirely academic, with researchers presenting papers and perhaps one or two separate practitioner panels. Being in the same room allowed regulators, industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and students to engage in direct dialogue, discuss trends and concerns, and respond to questions,” she said.
All in all, the conference attracted more than 130 attendees from around the country and internationally.
Participants, including representatives of such regulators, businesses, and industry leaders as SEC, FASB, PCAOB, EY, Walt Disney, Meta, Baker Tilly, and PYA, discussed significant challenges for the accounting industry created by rapid technological advances. A panel on the role of AI in financial reporting and auditing was especially resonant. The panelists’ consensus was that human “soft skills,” judgement, and oversight were key to ensuring effective use of new technological tools. One of the takeaways, according to Chen, was that “the loss of jobs will be not to AI but to people who are better at using it.”
“This new format differed from the traditional accounting conference structure—typically almost entirely academic, with researchers presenting papers and perhaps one or two separate practitioner panels. Being in the same room allowed regulators, industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and students to engage in direct dialogue, discuss trends and concerns, and respond to questions."
— Long Chen, Area Chair and professor of accounting at the Costello College of Business
Another passionately debated topic was the growing influence of private equity ownership of accounting firms. Representatives of firms both PE-owned and not, shared a panel with academics and regulators. According to Janet Faughnan, senior instructor of accounting at Costello, some participants argued that private equity could “potentially weaken audit quality and auditor independence due to increased profit pressures,” while others emphasized the “expanded resources and technology investments” that PE can bring.
Participating undergraduate and graduate students enjoyed a unique opportunity to witness discussions on topics directly affecting their future in the accounting profession, such as the growing need to develop “hybrid auditor” skills that combine traditional accounting expertise with knowledge of advanced technologies and mastery of digital tools. Many Costello faculty participants also highlighted a key benefit of the conference: Beyond the formal sessions, students connected directly with regulators, researchers, and practitioners, creating valuable mentorship and networking opportunities.
Students questioned panelists about developing the technological skills expected by future employers while navigating the caution around GenAI tools emphasized by their educational institutions. “The sessions reinforced the growing importance of strong data literacy skills,” said George Mason student Sebastian Campos in post-conference feedback.
Another current challenge concerns the increasing automation of routine entry-level tasks, requiring young professionals to exercise high-level judgment much earlier in their careers. As student ambassador Madeline Ryan reflected, the conference reminded her that "being part of the accounting profession means always learning, adapting, and being open to improving your work."
In their feedback, students also commented on the volatility of the current regulatory environment. “What stuck with us is how many of the questions shaping this profession still do not have clean answers,” wrote participants from the Beta Alpha Psi student organization at George Mason. Additionally, student ambassadors reported gaining insights into controversial topics, such as “political and lobbying forces influencing the tax code” and tensions between AI-produced accounting reports and protection of data privacy.
Chen shared that student interest far exceeded the number of available spots, with each participating university utilizing a rigorous selection process. With the help of Peggy Tsirigotis, senior instructor of accounting and assistant area chair, and a generous grant from PwC, nine George Mason students were competitively selected to participate in the conference, along with several students from other local universities.
Costello College of Business accounting students alongside Long Chen, area chair and professor of accounting (top row, center) and Peggy Tsirigotis, senior instructor of accounting and assistant area chair (bottom row, far right). Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
Jenny Tucker, senior editor at Accounting Horizons, praised this year’s conference, saying that the journal “could not have hoped for a better partner than George Mason University.” She was also impressed by the Costello students' enthusiasm and initiative, noting that several students shared how the conference had opened their eyes to the profession and inspired them to become more engaged.
More than a conference marking the 40th anniversary of Accounting Horizons, the event demonstrated how bringing together students, researchers, regulators, practitioners, and standard-setters can accelerate the exchange of ideas and help prepare the accounting profession for the challenges ahead.