Preface

We are delighted to present *Accounting and Finance Innovations*, a book providing business users, government leaders, academics, students, and practitioners with the most contemporary, relevant, and reliable financial and non-financial information. Topics were selected to address the various needs and demands of the international business community and academic environment.

The growing complexities of modern business have put substantial demands on innovations in accounting and finance fields. This book introduces new research innovations about blockchain, E-business models, data analytics, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, digital assets, and associated risks. Accounting challenges require innovations in the preparation and presentation of financial reports for various stakeholders. The innovations in accounting and finance focus on how effectively the business works, transforming business administration and creating business process improvements, cultural shifts, and new ways of doing things.

In recent years, the globalization of the economy has influenced the soft skills required to be successful accounting and finance professionals and has motivated accounting and finance educators to develop new approaches for delivering accounting and finance education. Accounting scholarship has moved forward toward research innovations, cloud accounting, and data analytics. Emphasis is now being given to incorporating innovations and data analytics into the accounting and finance curricula. Infusing innovations and data analytics into accounting and finance curricula can improve the analysis of a business's quality of earnings and sustainable income, accurate planning, and relevant decisions.

The editor would like to thank all the contributing authors for their valuable work. A warm thanks to the publication staff at IntechOpen and all anonymous reviewers for their support in the production of this book.

> **Nizar M. Alsharari, Ph.D.** Associate Professor of Accounting, Department of Accounting, Finance, and Entrepreneurship, College of Business, Jackson State University, United States of America

## Section 1
