Bonita Peterson, Professor of Accounting in the College of Business at Montana State University-Bozeman, wrote a story on a subject she is passionate about - fraud. Her article, "10 Truths You Need to Know About Fraud," co-authored by Paul E. Zikmund of Tyco International, was published in the May 2004 edition of "Strategic Finance." The manuscript was chosen to be the cover story for the magazine, and it explores ten facts about fraud that business owners and managers should know, including ways to help prevent embezzlement in a business.

Peterson's expertise in writing about the subject and the information offered to the reader earned her and Zikmund the honor of receiving the IMA's "Certificate of Merit" for the article. This national award is given for an outstanding contribution to the accounting and finance literature. About 150 manuscripts were considered for the award.

"I think many people find fraud to be an inherently interesting topic," Peterson said. "So I am lucky to be involved in an area that other people find naturally interesting."

Peterson and Zikmund were invited to attend the annual conference awards luncheon sponsored by the IMA in Chicago this past June.

Strategic Finance is the flagship publication of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the leading international trade association for corporate accounting and finance professionals. An award-winning monthly magazine, it provides the latest information about practices and trends in finance, accounting, and information management that will impact members (primarily controllers, CFOs, and their staffs) and their jobs.