State CPA Society News & Updates – May 2024

State CPA Society News & Updates is a selection of recent announcements and initiatives by CPA associations in the United States and its territories.

The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), one of the largest CPA societies in the U.S., recently announced the 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award Recipients.

ICPAS will formally present awards to the following honorees at the Leadership Recognition & Awards Dinner in Chicago on June 13, 2024:

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed on a member who has demonstrated distinguished service to ICPAS and the accounting profession.

• Larry J. Wolfe, CPA | Owner, Larry J. Wolfe, Ltd.

Women to Watch Awards

The Women to Watch Awards are presented in two categories—Experienced Leader and Emerging Leader—to recognize women who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession, their organizations, and to the development of women as leaders.

Experienced Leaders

• Anna C. Gomez, CPA | Global Chief Financial Officer and Partner, Mischief USA and No Fixed Address Inc.

• Diane L. Yetter, CPA | President and Founder, Yetter Consulting Services Inc. and Sales Tax Institute

Emerging Leaders

• Amy Sexton | Manager, Wipfli LLP

• Kelsey Straub, CPA | Audit Senior Manager, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Awards

Presented in two categories—Experienced Leader and Emerging Leader—the Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Awards recognize individuals who are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the accounting profession.

Experienced Leader

• Rose Ann Abraham, CPA | Partner, Baker Tilly US, LLP

Emerging Leader

• Jonathan C. Acevedo, CPA | Manager, Wipfli LLP

Outstanding Educator Awards

Awarded to educators at Illinois colleges and universities, the Outstanding Educator Award honors those who have made considerable contributions to the education of accounting students through their leadership, teaching excellence, and active involvement in the accounting profession.

• Susan McCarthy, CPA | Clinical Associate Professor, Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago

• Kim I. Mendoza, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Iyad Rock | Assistant Professor, Lewis University

Joshua D. Lance Young Professionals Leadership Award

The Joshua D. Lance Young Professionals Leadership Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in their career, in public or community service, and through involvement in professional organizations.

• Matthew C. Pelton, CPA | Audit & Assurance Managing Director, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Time and Talent Volunteer Service Award

The Time and Talent Volunteer Service Award honors an organization whose accounting and finance professionals exemplify outstanding service and meaningful contributions to volunteer initiatives that positively impact our communities.

• Topel Forman LLC

Distinguished Service Awards

The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed on ICPAS members who display a commitment to excellence by taking on extra challenges and responsibilities in their volunteer service roles.

• Tony Boras, CPA – Crowe LLP | Governmental Report Review Committee

• Elizabeth D. Buffardi, CPA, CFP(R) – Crescendo Financial Planners | Media Expert

• Amy M. Chamoun, CPA – Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC | Taxation International Committee

• Micheal Chandler II, CPA – George Bagley & Company LLC | Taxation Individual Committee

• Jennifer M. Culotta, CPA – Plante Moran PLLC | Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee

• John F. Cutrera, CPA – Glencoe Park District | Governmental Report Review Committee

• Brent DeMay, CPA, CGMA – Sikich LLP | Employee Benefits Committee

• Erik De Vries, CPA – CohnReznick LLP | Audit & Assurance Services Committee

• Anthony C. Ferreri, CPA – Allegheny Technologies Inc. | Accounting Principles Committee

• Melissa A. Juntunen, CPA – Lauterbach & Amen LLP | Governmental Report Review Committee

• Kimberly D. Meyer, CPA – Meyer & Associates CPA LLC | Peer Review Report Acceptance Committee

• Lauren Pflugradt – John Kasperek Company Inc. | Governmental Report Review Committee

• Michael Ploskonka, CPA, CFE – Selden Fox Ltd. | Audit & Assurance Services Committee

• Amber Sarb, CPA – RSM US LLP | Audit & Assurance Services Committee

Excel Awards

The Excel Awards recognize the Illinois candidates who earned their CPA certificates between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, and demonstrated exceptional performance across all exam sections, achieving the highest total average scores among all individuals who earned their CPA certificates in Illinois during the year. The prestigious gold, silver, and bronze medals further distinguish the achievements of those earning the top three scores in the state.

Gold Medal

• Cal B. Granite – RSM US LLP | University of Illinois

Silver Medal (Tie)

• Jared D. Dunnett – Shore Capital Partners | Indiana University

• Tyler J. Thimjon – Ernst & Young LLP | Indiana University

Bronze Medal (Tie)

• Scott Klamm – Kuhn & Company, CPAs | Northeastern Illinois University

• Collin C. Martin – Gorenz and Associates Ltd. | Bradley University

The Oklahoma Society of CPAs (OSCPA) recently announced that two OSCPA members have been inducted into the Wilton T. Anderson Accounting Hall of Fame at Oklahoma State University. Those members are:

Jack Murray, CPA– Jack earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from OSU in 1985 and is currently a partner at HoganTaylor.

Randy Mecklenburg, CPA – Randy earned his bachelor’s degree from OSU in 1973 and is the co-founder of Harrison & Mecklenburg, a law firm that has offices in three locations.

The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA) is holding a Real Estate Conference on June 20, 2024. The event, which will be live-streamed or can be attended in person and will explore financial, tax, and legal developments in the real estate industry while providing new strategies for dealing with clients.

The conference cost is $299 and includes 8.0 CPE credits.

The Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA) recently announced that Danielle Hologram, CAE will be the ninth President and CEO of the Kansas Society of CPAs. Danielle began her career at KSCPA as the Membership and Marketing Coordinator, the promoted to Director of Membership, then Senior Director, before being offered the President and CEO position.  Danielle earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 2011 and the Certified Association Executive credential in 2019.

The Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MassCPAs) is now accepting nominations for their 16^th Annual Women to Watch Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, October 29^th, at the Westin Waltham. There are two award categories: Experienced Leaders and Emerging Leaders. All nominees must be both AICPA and MassCPAs members to be eligible. The nomination form can be downloaded from the MassCPAs website.