In 2026, Miami continued its very successful EY Teacher-Scholar mentoring program, in which an undergraduate spends the summer engaged in research with a Miami University faculty member, EY Teaching Scholar and Arthur Andersen Alumni Professor Tim Eaton.
With a strong group of applicants and four exceptional finalists, Addison Lemon was selected to be the 2026 Undergraduate EY Student Scholar. While several areas of research were explored, ultimately, she and Professor Eaton developed a focus of exploring in depth the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accounting profession. Their article, “AI is No Longer Optional” was published in August of 2026 in International Accountant. This article explains why AI literacy is becoming an essential skill for accountants and explores its practical implications, governance, and implementation strategies.
In addition to the work with Addison Lemon, continuing work occurred with 2025 Scholar Jocelyn McAliney. Tim and Jocelyn investigated the fascinating early history of the licensure of the profession within the United States throughout the last 100+ years. They also considered the impact of the current changes taking place in Ohio and in many other parts of the country. Further, they discussed curriculum and classroom implications and developed an article on the topic, titled “What Professionals Need to Know About the New Pathway to CPA Licensure”. This manuscript was published in March 2026 in Strategic Finance. Jocelyn McAliney is currently a Master of Accountancy student scheduled to graduate in May of 2027.