IAAER and the ACCA greatly appreciate ASE’s support and role as host of our annual paper development workshop that precedes AMIS. Without the support of ASE and workshop co-organizers Catalin Albu and Nadia Albu, IAAER and the ACCA could not provide young scholars from for example Romania, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Moldova, Poland, Slovenia, and Turkey with the opportunity to receive feedback and guidance on their research from internationally recognized scholars. The early career researchers from ASE and other universities attending our workshops are gifted and motivated young scholars keen to build their research and teaching skills. They are the future of the accounting academy in Romania and surrounding countries.

From humble beginnings back in 2006, AMIS now reaches out to the broader accounting academic family – not simply in Romania, and not just the CEE region. I am very proud and honored to have been part of this journey – I think this will be my 7 th time at the conference. While I always find it a stimulating intellectual experience, importantly it is supplemented by a strong social dimension that allows international visitors too truly appreciate the warm and friendly hospitability given by their Romanian hosts. In my view, the crucial role that this “human” aspect plays in the long-term success of AMIS cannot be emphasized enough. AMIS is now a key legacy for the accounting academic community in the CEE region – I look forward to continuing my close and personal association with it in the years to come.

The annual AMIS conference, and particularly the IAAER ACCA workshops and consortia organized before the AMIS main event, have put ASE and Bucharest on the map of relevant international accounting academic events. Through the conference's regional and international exposure, multiple generations of researchers, students and practitioners in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe in general will benefit from the expertise and support of internationally renowned academics and professionals who continue to volunteer their time to this significant project. We congratulate ASE for their commitment and hope that they will continue to be a leader of accounting education and research both in Romania, in the region and at the international level.