The Academy of Accounting Historians, a section of the American Accounting Association, annually gives an award for the best book published in the area of accounting history. The Barbara D. Merino Award for Excellence in Accounting History Publication is given to recognize the author or authors of the best book on an accounting historical topic published in a given year.  The authors each receive a plaque and share a cash award in the amount of $1000.  The winning publication is based upon the selection of an awards committee established by the leadership of the Academy.  The 2022 award was given for the publication of MSCPA Centennial History: A Century of CPAs in Mississippi, 1920-2020. 

          Authors Dale L. Flesher and Annette Pridgen travelled to San Diego, California, where on July 31 they were presented the award at the American Accounting Association’s annual meeting.  The third coauthor, James W. Davis, was not able to make the trip, but his plaque and check will be mailed to him.

         The 217-page hard-bound volume was published by the MSCPA in June 2020 to celebrate the Society’s centennial.  An extensive name index includes the names of approximately 1,500 Mississippi CPAs who have played a role in the organization’s history.  Almost 500 photos also appear throughout the book.  A short biography appears for each of the past presidents who have served the Society throughout its history.

        Members who have not already received a copy may pick up one at the Society’s office in Ridgeland or email Noma Gillis at ngillis@ms-cpa.org to request one be mailed.  A digital copy appears on the Ole Miss Library website (the National Library of the Accounting Profession) at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/acct_inst/193/ .

Included in the photo with Dale Flesher and Annette Pridgen are the Academy of Accounting Historians President-Elect Stephen Fafatas and President Yvette
Lazdowski.