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IMA Publishes Report on the Global Impact of AI on Accounting and Finance Professionals

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DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants), the worldwide association of accountants and financial professionals in business, has released ‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Accounting and Finance: A Global Perspective.’ The report outlines how to embrace a future with artificial intelligence (AI) along with the challenges organizations can face and prerequisites needed for a successful AI integration.

As AI continues to reshape the accounting and finance profession, IMA engaged global experts and leaders in the profession to study the applications of AI and what barriers could exist to implement processes into accountants’ daily work. Insights from these discussions are valuable for informing organizational strategies as leaders prepare to embark on their AI journey.

“AI is a game-changer that has the potential to empower accounting and finance professionals when it comes to data analysis, forecasting and decision-making,” said Susie Duong, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, CIA, EA, senior director of research and thought leadership at IMA and author of the report. “The use of AI will drive the future of the profession’s growth, unlock untapped potential, and increase the value of professionals and organizations.”

The research for the report found that while AI will not fully replace human expertise, professionals at all levels will need to embrace and adopt this transformation and focus on technology proficiency, data analytics, critical thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. Likewise, organizations will need to foster human-machine collaboration, focusing on upskilling and reskilling team members, and creating a culture of ongoing learning to understand AI’s strengths and weaknesses, steering toward its responsible and fruitful implementation.

Study participants identified four aspects of challenges associated with AI implementation, which are human, technological, operational, and ethical. Challenges related to people – involving all levels of employees within an organization, were identified as the biggest hurdle for success of AI initiatives, according to 38 percent of participants.

“As AI revolutionizes the accounting and finance sectors in the Middle East, it announces the beginning of a new era of enhanced efficiency, strategic decision-making, and professional development. This shift significantly improves the work-life balance and elevates the Middle East’s position in the global economy. Embracing AI means embracing a future where learning, innovation, and ethical considerations are paramount. It’s about more than technological advancement, it’s about fostering a society that values continuous improvement, ethical practices, and inclusive growth,” said Ahmad Mkhallati, senior director, IMA Middle East, India, and Africa.

To solve for these challenges and for a successful AI integration, the study outlined the following prerequisites:

Aligning AI strategies with organizational goals and ensuring adequate executive support, addressing the skills gap of the existing workforce through training and development;Fostering cross-functional collaboration, process reengineering, and scalability;Focusing on data quality and the digital preparedness of teams; andNavigating AI-related risks and embracing ethical AI practices.

The research drew insights from in-depth dialogues from interviews and roundtable discussions with experts in the field and accounting/finance leaders spanning the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, North Africa, India, and China. The full report is available on IMA’s website: https://www.imanet.org/en/Research-Publications/IMA-Reports/The-Impact-of-Artificial-Intelligence-on-Accounting-and-Finance

About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants):

IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA™ (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) certification programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its six global regions: The Americas, China, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2030446/IMA_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ima-publishes-report-on-the-global-impact-of-ai-on-accounting-and-finance-professionals-302063903.html

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Dr. Gerard van Belle Appointed Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, Charting a Bold Future for Research

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Dr. van Belle to guide scientific exploration and foster innovation in the next era of astronomical research

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerard van Belle as the new Director of Science. Van Belle, who has been an astronomer at the observatory since 2011, has been serving as the interim Director of Science.

In his new role, van Belle will lead a diverse team of astronomers and planetary scientists. He will spearhead the observatory’s new Science Vision, which focuses on advancing research capabilities and implementing cutting-edge technological improvements supporting Lowell’s leadership in astronomical research.

Under his leadership, the science department will continue to advance Lowell Observatory’s mission to pursue the study of astronomy, including the study of our solar system and its evolution, and to conduct pure research in astrophysical phenomena.

Van Belle’s own research focuses on fundamental stellar parameters, including the sizes, shapes, masses, distances, and temperatures of various types of stars. He is also renowned for his expertise in optical and near-infrared astronomical interferometry.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College in 1990, followed by a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wyoming in 1996.

Throughout his career, van Belle has been instrumental in the development and commissioning of major optical interferometers worldwide, including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the Keck Interferometer, and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. His pioneering work in stellar surface imaging earned him the inaugural Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2002.

In 2011, van Belle joined Lowell Observatory’s science staff, where he applied high-resolution astronomical techniques to detect nearby exoplanets and map stellar surfaces. He served as the Director of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona, from 2017 to 2018, and subsequently as its Chief Scientist until 2022.

Notably, van Belle was among the astronomers who voted against the definition of ‘planet’ advanced during the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference in Prague, which relegated Pluto to being a ‘dwarf planet’ (which according to the IAU resolution is not a planet).

His extensive experience and dedication to advancing astronomical research make him a valuable leader for Lowell Observatory’s scientific endeavors.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Lowell Observatory,” said van Belle. “Our Science Vision will guide us in exploring new frontiers in astronomy while strengthening our commitment to public engagement and education.”

Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh expressed her confidence in van Belle’s leadership: “Gerard’s extensive experience and dedication to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our scientific endeavors. I look forward to working closely with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Lowell Observatory.”

For more information about Lowell Observatory’s research and public programs, visit lowell.edu.

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-gerard-van-belle-appointed-director-of-science-at-lowell-observatory-charting-a-bold-future-for-research-302348440.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR

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NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MSG Networks released the following statement about their dispute with Altice USA:

“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers – don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.

Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com.”

About MSG Networks

MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact:

Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

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SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

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Infor Nexus Unveils NexTrace, its End-to-End Traceability Solution at NRF 2025

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Leveraging AI technology and a supplier-centric philosophy, the solution simplifies the data collection process, helping to promote accuracy and compliance

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Infor Nexus™ , the single-instance supply chain network platform providing unparalleled visibility and collaboration, today announced NexTrace. This innovative solution is designed to improve customer transparency and provide a competitive advantage. With the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) set to take effect in 2027, companies need to start preparing now by implementing traceability solutions. NexTrace can give customers a head start to meet regulatory requirements like the EU DPP and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). 

NexTrace provides end-to-end transparency by seamlessly tracking raw material through to finished products and beyond, ensuring full traceability throughout the entire supply chain journey. It integrates supplier ESG data and certificates for a holistic view of sustainability and compliance information. Leveraging AI technology and a supplier-centric philosophy, NexTrace simplifies the data collection process, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

“Last June, we launched Map and Trace, which empowers our customers to map their supply chains and collect documentation from multiple supplier tiers. Map and Trace provides evidence of chain of custody compliance with regulations such as the US UFLPA and the French AGEC law. With NexTrace, we’re taking this to the next level by proactively gathering full-scale item-level traceability from each tier of the supply chain. This will help our customers to not only meet upcoming regulations like the EU Digital Product Passport but also gain a competitive edge by providing comprehensive data on their products’ journey, composition, and sustainability,” said Brian Carelli, Infor VP, Sustainability and Partnerships. 

Meeting regulatory and consumer demands for product traceability requires collaboration across supply chain tiers. By connecting to Infor Nexus, companies gain a head start, leveraging an established ecosystem of over 94,000 brands, retailers, and suppliers already on the platform. Managing traceability and chain-of-custody data alongside existing supply chain processes on a unified platform accelerates progress, boosts efficiency, and reduces reliance on multiple systems. 

NexTrace Capability Highlights: 

Enables seamless lot and item-level tracing by tracking the movement of raw material lots and batches through their conversion into finished products Leverages AI to collect data from the multiple tiers of suppliers, while automatically associating transactions from one tier to the next, helping to reduce the burden on suppliers and increase data accuracy and tracing efficiency Allows suppliers to upload data from existing reports in one easy step, rather than necessitating manual data entry RFID scanning of serialized barcodes at source automatically links the multi-tier chain of custody data Integrates supplier ESG data and certificates with traceability information, providing a comprehensive view of sustainability and compliance throughout the supply chain Creates a digital link and visualization to share traceability and product information with consumers, enhancing transparency and trust throughout the supply chain Tracing data automatically updates the network graph creating linkages between products and materials providing a higher fidelity map of your supply chain network 

“Vendors will be eager to tout their Digital Product Passport solutions at NRF, but their focus is often on flashy features, rather than the minutiae of how to feed such data-hungry systems. At NRF, we look forward to demonstrating how trace data is built and how to scale a system of this magnitude,” said Carelli. 

To learn more about building a more responsible supply chain, visit https://www.infor.com/solutions/scm/infor-nexus/sustainability

About Infor Nexus 

Infor Nexus™ is the leading global supply chain platform. Infor Nexus connects a network of over 94,000 brands, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers and banks on single-instance network platform to seamlessly orchestrate global supply chain processes from source through to delivery and payment. Companies streamline their operations to eliminate inefficiencies and waste while gaining data-driven insights and optimizing the flow of capital for improved agility, resilience, and sustainability. Visit www.infor.com/solutions/scm/infor-nexus

Media Contact: 
Alexandria Truby 
Senior Public Relations Specialist, Infor 
Alexandria.Truby@infor.com

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SOURCE Infor

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