Kanellos Toudas | Financial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas | Financial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Agricultural University of Athens | Greece

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas is a scholar in accounting and financial analysis with extensive academic, governmental, and professional experience. He earned both his graduate and postgraduate diplomas in Business Administration from the University of Piraeus, followed by a Ph.D. in Financial Management and Accounting from the Athens University of Economics and Business, and later extended his research expertise through postdoctoral studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Toudas has combined rigorous academic work with significant professional service, beginning his career as an auditor for the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, where he later served as Head of the Accounting Department. His public-sector leadership includes roles as Deputy Mayor of Finance and Deputy Governor within national financial and agricultural institutions. In academia, he is an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, having also taught at major Greek universities in areas such as accounting principles, financial analysis, and IFRS. He has authored and co-authored numerous research papers and has participated in many national and international conferences. His research interests include financial reporting, auditing, accounting standards, and capital market regulation. Dr. Toudas continues to contribute to the advancement of accounting research and financial governance through teaching, scholarship, and public service.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Toudas, K., Poutos, E., & Balios, D. (2013). Concept, regulations and institutional issues of IPSAS: A critical review. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2(1), 43–54.

Boufounou, P., Mavroudi, M., Toudas, K., & Georgakopoulos, G. (2022). Digital transformation of the Greek banking sector in the COVID era. Sustainability, 14(19), 11855.

Boufounou, P., Moustairas, I., Toudas, K., & Malesios, C. (2023). ESGs and customer choice: Some empirical evidence. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3(4), 1841–1874.

Frangos, C., Frangos, C., Sotiropoulos, I., Orfanos, V., Toudas, K., & Gkika, E. (2012). The effects of the Greek economic crisis on eating habits and psychological attitudes of young people: A sample survey among Greek university students. Proceedings of the World Congress of Engineering, 1, 485–489.

Georgakopoulos, G., Toudas, K., Poutos, E. I., Kounadeas, T., & Tsavalias, S. (2022). Capital structure, corporate governance, equity ownership and their impact on firms’ profitability and effectiveness in the energy sector. Energies, 15(10), 3625.

Edward Douthett | Qualitative Research | Excellence in Research

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Dr. Edward Douthett | Qualitative Research | Excellence in Research

George Mason University | United States

Dr. Edward B. Douthett is an accomplished academic and accounting professional serving as an Associate Professor of Accounting at George Mason University’s School of Business. He holds a Ph.D. and M.B.A. in Accounting and Finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and a B.S. in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. Before entering academia, Dr. Douthett gained extensive industry experience at Exxon Chemicals and Exxon Company USA, where he held key roles in financial reporting, analysis, auditing, and management. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia, his teaching expertise spans managerial and cost accounting, financial accounting, and performance evaluation across undergraduate, MBA, and EMBA programs. His academic contributions emphasize cost management, performance measurement, and international business environments. Dr. Douthett’s work bridges theory and practice, integrating real-world corporate insights into academic learning. He has been recognized for his excellence in teaching and leadership, particularly as the Northern Chapter Virginia Society CPA Professor of Public Accounting. Dedicated to fostering ethical decision-making and analytical skills among future accounting professionals, Dr. Douthett continues to inspire innovation in accounting education and practice.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Amoruso, A., Douthett, E., & Duchac, J. (2025). The effect of the legal environment on assurance services: evidence from international registrants in U.S. capital markets. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting.

Copley, P., Douthett, E. B., & Zhang, S. (2021). Venture capitalists and assurance services on initial public offerings. Journal of Business Research.

Douthett, E. B., & Copley, P. (2020). The Enrollment Cliff, Mega-Universities, COVID-19, and the Changing Landscape of U.S. Colleges. CPA Journal.

Douthett, E. B. (2020). Do Auditors Protect Shareholders Against Financial Expropriation by Corporate Insiders? The Journal of American Academy of Business.

Douthett, E. B. (2020). Do auditors provide assurance beyond the financial statements? Evidence from the market for new issues. Journal of Theoretical Accounting Research.

Maksym Lazirko | Accounting Information Systems | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Prof. Maksym Lazirko | Accounting Information Systems | Best Academic Researcher Award

Rutgers University | United States

Prof. Maksym Orest Lazirko is an emerging scholar and academic professional specializing in Management Information Systems, Accounting Information Systems, and advanced technologies impacting modern business practices. With a multidisciplinary foundation spanning management, accounting, geological sciences, and quantum computing, he has developed a unique expertise that bridges technical innovation and business strategy. His academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to research, teaching, and technological transformation in accounting and audit domains. Prof. Lazirko actively engages in developing frameworks for blockchain applications, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting, quantum computing integration in accounting systems, and data-driven audit methodologies. His work emphasizes innovative approaches to automation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies that redefine corporate reporting and decision-making.

Professional Profiles

SCOPUS
ORCID

Education

Prof. Lazirko completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science in Management of Information Systems and a minor in Geological Science. Building upon his academic foundation, he pursued advanced research as a Doctoral Candidate in Management with a concentration in Accounting Information Systems at Rutgers University, where he has made significant contributions under the mentorship of Dr. Miklos Vasarhelyi. His educational background reflects a blend of business management, technological innovation, and applied sciences, equipping him with the expertise to address interdisciplinary challenges in the digital and corporate ecosystem.

Experience

Prof. Lazirko has amassed extensive teaching, research, and industry-related experience across multiple roles, including instructor, research assistant, teaching assistant, and guest lecturer at Rutgers University. His teaching portfolio spans courses such as Audit Analytics, Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Data Warehousing & Data Mining, Management Information Systems, and Advanced Design & Development of Information Systems. His instructional expertise integrates theory with cutting-edge technological tools, providing students with practical and forward-thinking insights into accounting and information systems. Beyond academia, he has held roles in child development and robotics education, aquatics, and geology-focused positions, where he honed his leadership, process improvement, and technical skills. His volunteering work as a leader and advisor at a nonprofit organization reflects his dedication to community service, operational support, and technological guidance.

Research Interests

Prof. Lazirko’s research interests focus on the convergence of emerging technologies and accounting systems. His primary areas include quantum computing applications in accounting, blockchain-based proof of reserves frameworks, ESG-focused corporate reporting methodologies, automation in audit processes, metaverse and augmented/virtual reality applications in information systems, and artificial intelligence integration for financial transparency. He has contributed to developing methodologies for monitoring and reporting Natech disasters for business continuity, advanced risk assessment in cryptocurrency markets, and innovative designs for academic advisory chatbots. His interdisciplinary approach aims to bridge gaps between technological potential and practical business needs in an evolving regulatory landscape.

Awards and Contributions

Prof. Lazirko has been recognized for his active participation in professional conferences, workshops, and peer review activities in the field of accounting and information systems. He has served as a moderator, discussant, and organizer at significant academic meetings, including AAA Mid-Year Meetings, Transformative Technology Workshops, and WCARS conferences. His contributions as a volunteer referee for leading journals such as The British Accounting Review, Accounting Horizons, and the Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting reflect his standing as a critical contributor to scholarly discourse and research development. Furthermore, his involvement in the creation of innovative educational platforms such as quantum computing courses for business students and virtual reality classrooms highlights his forward-thinking contributions to academic innovation.

Publications

Lazirko, M., Appelbaum, D., & Vasarhelyi, M. (2025). “Proof of Reserves: A Double-Helix Framework” in The British Accounting Review.

Lazirko, M. (2025). “The Quantum Dynamics of Cost Accounting: Investigating WIP via the Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation” in Journal of Decision Science and Optimization.

Lazirko, M., & Gates, A. (2025). “Unveiling Nature’s Fury: Natech Disasters for Business – A Continuous Monitoring & Reporting Framework” in Journal of Risk Research.

Conclusion

Prof. Maksym Orest Lazirko embodies the intersection of technology, research, and education, actively shaping the future of accounting and information systems. His work reflects a continuous pursuit of integrating next-generation technologies—quantum computing, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and immersive systems—into the financial and corporate sectors. Through his teaching, research, and community engagement, he promotes the advancement of sustainable, transparent, and innovative business practices. His ongoing efforts in developing cutting-edge frameworks and educational initiatives position him as a valuable thought leader in the fields of accounting innovation, digital transformation, and academic mentorship.