My Experience at the AICPA Leadership Academy

November 14, 2016Montana Society of CPAs Leadership, Professional Development, Volunteers, Young Professionals Tags: AICPA, Austin Schuerg, Barry Melancon, Donna Salter, Jeremiah Rouane, Montana Society of CPAs, MSCPA, Tim Christen, Young Professionals 2 Comments

by Austin Schuerg

In October I had the honor of representing Montana at the AICPA’s Leadership Academy (LA), thanks to the MSCPA Legacy Foundation. This four-day intensive program was designed to engage young professionals in a self-examination of leadership, what that means and how that impacts their personal life and career path. The facilitators of this Academy, Tom Hood (CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs) and Gretchen Pisano (CEO of p.Link Coaching Center) were truly amazing. If you’ve ever met Tom or Gretchen, you know they are both passionate and energizing people, key to a successful program.

The program itself consisted of 38 young CPAs from around the country with very diverse backgrounds. An application process was required that consisted of two short essays documenting the applicant’s thoughts on what the future holds for a leader in the accounting function, whether private or public, as well as how each applicant feels they would benefit from such a program. Outside of the program itself, a key component of LA was the networking and socializing with the other CPAs. This has already been super valuable in that we have formed a private Facebook group and have bounced questions and ideas around numerous times already.

Prior to the academy, the first step was identifying each of our own leadership strengths. LA utilized the book Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath which was accompanied by a Clifton’s Stengthsfinder assessment. I had always had an idea of where my leadership strengths lie, but this assessment really cemented that for me and pushed me to begin identifying how to leverage those in my daily professional and personal life. After I returned from LA, I sat down with the leaders in my current company and walked through my strengths. We have since redesigned my career path to one that will most benefit my strengths as well as the company. Actual action, I love that.

During LA, the facilitators walked us through an intensive study of the i2a facilitation process. The generalized concept here is to create buy in from team members to really help drive projects forward. As a team, you attempt to really break down an issue to its most basic form and then create a plan to overcome this. I plan to implement this process over q4 in my current role to identify ways to overcome some obstacles we are facing related to our interdepartmental relationships. If you are unaware of the i2a facilitation process, feel free to reach out to me and I will gladly provide a run down.

Barry Melancon | Austin Schuerg | Tim Christen

One of the highlights for me from the week was interacting with Barry Melancon, President of the AICPA, and Tim Christen, Board Member of the AICPA and Chair of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. During one of our “networking” nights, we had North Carolina barbecue and a bags (corn hole) tournament in which my team got knocked out in the semi-finals. The last evening of LA, we had the opportunity to have a two-hour Q&A session with Barry Melancon in which we learned about his career path as well as where he sees the profession headed. He is truly an inspiring leader and the insights he provided were amazing.

Overall, the three key takeaways for me from this program are self-awareness of my own strengths, awareness of what drives other’s motivation, and that leadership is facilitation.

Donna Salter and Erin Carson from the AICPA did a superb job in organizing this academy and I would highly recommend it to any young professional in the accounting industry who is looking to either take, or position themselves to take, that next step in their career. A special thank you to the Legacy Foundation and the MSCPA for their support in my attendance to the LA. I truly feel it was game-changer for me and I hope to assist and give back to the profession here in the state as much as I can.

Schuerg Leadership Graduation 2016 a.jpg

2016 AICPA Leadership Academy Graduates

Austin Schuerg is only the second Montanan to have the honor of attending the AICPA’s prestigious Leadership Academy, thanks to the support of the MSCPA Legacy Foundation. The first Montana attendee was Jeremiah Rouane (First Interstate Bank) back in 2010, so you can see that Austin’s attendance is landmark for Montana CPAs.

Austin works as a senior accountant with Simms Fishing Products in Bozeman. He serves as the Young Professional member on the MSCPA Board of Directors and is very active in all MSCPA initiatives to promote the success and involvement of our YPs.

Profiles: Jim Woy

October 3, 2016September 30, 2016Montana Society of CPAs Advocacy, Networking, Peer Review, Volunteers Tags: AICPA, Anderson ZurMuehlen, Jim Woy, Montana Society of CPAs, MSCPA, Peer Review Leave a comment

Profiles is MSCPA’s blog series highlighting the impact Montana CPAs are having on the national level.

Jim Woy, Shareholder, Anderson ZurMuehlen, Butte

I have served on the Education and Communications Task Force (ECTF) of the AICPA Peer Review Committee since 2013. The Committee is comprised of members from around the country who are peer reviewers, technical reviewers, Report Acceptance Bodies (RAB) and administrators of state peer review committees. The task force provides input to the AICPA Peer Review Committee and AICPA peer review staff. The task force has been instrumental in addressing and providing input regarding many of the recent changes in the AICPA peer review program. The task force also sets forth the agenda for the annual national peer review conference.

Volunteering as a task force or committee member on the national level allows me to meet and discuss some of top issues of the day with individuals who are in the moment, on new and soon to effective standards. These individuals become friends you can call upon when questions occur and the breadth of knowledge shared in committee meetings is excellent. It helps me understand the “what’s behind” many of the changes occurring in our great profession.

I really enjoy the opportunity to provide feedback on issues impacting the peer review process. The AICPA Peer Review Committee and AICPA peer review staff do listen to our feedback and welcomes it, and in many instances, changes get made due to this feedback. It is very rewarding.

Profile: Ron Yates

September 6, 2016August 24, 2016Montana Society of CPAs Advocacy, Membership Value, Networking, Volunteers Tags: AICPA, Montana Society of CPAs, MSCPA, Ron Yates Leave a comment

This blog post is part of our Profiles Series where we highlight the amazing accomplishments of Montana CPAs who volunteer nationally to make a difference for the accounting profession.

Ron Yates, CPA, Eide Bailly LLP, Billings

I am very fortunate and proud to have had many opportunities as a Montana CPA to represent CPAs, the accounting profession, and the Treasure State at the national level.

Currently, I am starting the second year of a three-year term on the AICPA Tax Practice and Procedures Committee (TPPC). This committee monitors developments in and changes to IRS procedural and administrative guidance. Among other things, the TPPC keeps AICPA members informed of changes to tax procedure, tax administration, regulatory guidance, and IRS services, and develops guidance, information and resources for AICPA Tax Section members to help CPAs understand and comply with the complex rules of practice before the IRS. We also serve as a resource to the IRS Advocacy & Relations Committee, as well as other technical resource panels and task forces, on matters of tax administration and procedure. The TPPC is an oversight committee for the Tax Checklist Task Force (which is responsible for developing and maintaining the Annual Compliance Kit) and the Foreign National Task Force (which is responsible for creating various resources to help members with international tax issues). We participate in a monthly committee call and meet at least twice yearly in person. Each committee member commits to writing one reviewed article for the AICPA’s Tax Adviser magazine annually. If interested, you can read my article in the April 1, 2016, edition (“PATH Brings Changes to Federal Penalty Computations”).

Also, this spring I was officially nominated by the AICPA Nominations Committee to fill an open board seat for a three-year term on the AICPA Board of Directors. The official election of board members will occur in October 2016 at the AICPA Fall Council / Annual Members meeting. I’m very excited for this tremendous opportunity to represent all CPAs at the national level.

From October 2012 through October 2015 I had the privilege of serving as Montana’s elected AICPA Council Representative, succeeding Dan Vuckovich of Great Falls. Montana is guaranteed one representative on the AICPA Council, which is the governing body of the AICPA and includes elected representatives from all U.S. states and territories. In 2015 Gordy Thompson of Havre was elected as my successor as AICPA Council Representative. Gordy is doing a fantastic job representing Montana CPAs at the national level. Gordy discussed the importance of this role in his July 18 Montana CPA blog, a great read.

Finally, from 2011-2014, I served on the AICPA Life Insurance / Disability Plans Committee, including serving as the Product Development Task Force chair in 2013. This committee’s purpose it to make available, through the AICPA Insurance Trust/AICPA Group Insurance Trust, a variety of self-supporting insurance products that are responsive to the needs of the membership and to provide oversight for plan administration and premium levels. This committee, which reports directly to the AICPA board of directors, handles millions of dollars of annual premiums providing hundreds of millions of insurance coverage to CPAs and their families. It was a great personal and professional experience and I would highly encourage you to consider applying for future service to this committee. Many of you may recall that Montana’s own Ellen Feaver chaired this committee about a decade ago.

These service opportunities have helped me to grow personally and professionally and I would highly encourage all MSCPA members to consider “raising your hand” when volunteer opportunities arise at the state or national level.

Presidentially Speaking–A year in review from Brenda Byrnes

August 1, 2016July 29, 2016Montana Society of CPAs Membership Value, Networking, Strategic Planning, Volunteers Tags: Ann Deegan, Annette Hill, Brenda Byrnes, Jane Egan, Montana Society of CPAs, MSCPA 1 Comment

Byrnes Brenda 2016 It’s a great time to be a CPA! The past year as your President was incredible and it went fast.

Following the lead of Ann Deegan we (myself and your Board of Directors) continued to implement the strategic plan. Our concentration was the introduction of an updated volunteer model. A model that focuses on the time you as a volunteer can commit, what tasks inspire you to assist and when it fits your schedule. The unveiling of the new Volunteer Center on the MSCPA website this month is the culmination of that process. Now your new President Annette Hill and Board of Directors challenge you to find your spot to fill on the Volunteer Center or simply sign up for the “pool.” The pool is for those of us who don’t see a spot that fits yet but definitely are up to a task, just waiting for it.

What else did the year entail?

Social media presence enhanced
University student outreach efforts increased
First virtual board meeting conducted online
Jane announced her retirement date of June 2017
- ED Succession Strike Force created
CGMA designation opened for nonCPAs
Continued tax advocacy at the Federal & State levels
AICPA/CIMA joint venture vote
Jane is diagnosed with cancer, has treatment and is in remission all in one board year—She ROCKS!

What’s my biggest “take away” this year?

Our profession is a great one! I mean it wholeheartedly. We have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact each day in our respective careers: public, business, industry, not-for-profit, governmental, education and so many other areas. The heart of what we learn as CPAs is valued and trusted throughout the world. We are sought after for the value we have to offer but we do have to work hard to maintain this position.

That “take away” was driven home for me by the terrific members of your Board of Directors who served this past year. Their commitment to our profession and the CPAs of Montana is outstanding. Thanks to each of them for their nimbleness as we changed up meetings, activities and our volunteer structure. The Directors provided thought provoking input and purposeful active participation which made this year successful. It was truly a pleasure to serve with them.

However, none of these outcomes would have occurred without the team at MSCPA. Jane, Margaret, Jean, Carol and Heidi provide tremendous support every step of the way. We are so lucky to have them!

I was inspired at the beginning of my career by several Past-Presidents of the MSCPA to set a goal of becoming President. The passion they showed for being a CPA and how they translated that passion into efforts aimed at keeping the MSCPA a relevant, supportive professional home for us throughout our careers was what motivated me. This was an awesome opportunity to be a part of that legacy and I am grateful for it. Thank you.

Brenda

Brenda L. Byrnes, CPA
Past President 2015-2016

PS GO Annette! You’re “it” to make an IMPACT .

Profiles: Linda Harris, AFWA National President

July 25, 2016July 21, 2016Montana Society of CPAs Advocacy, Networking, Volunteers Tags: AFWA, Linda Harris, Montana Society of CPAs, MSCPA Leave a comment

Note: This is the fourth in a series of blogs highlighting the dedication of Montana CPAs and their service nationally to the accounting profession.

AFWA (Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance) was founded in 1938 to increase the opportunities for women in all fields of accounting and finance. My involvement began when I was a student. I went to an accounting club meeting and a member of AFWA was presenting. I was impressed that she decided to open her own accounting firm because of her connection to this organization. A year later I had another opportunity to attend their student night and decided to join.

Harris Linda 2015 On May 19^th this year, I had the honor of being installed as the 2016-2017 President at the National Conference hosted by AFWA’s Billings Chapter. I am honored to lead this organization and the great women who serve on the Board.

AFWA supports our members and provides them with the skills to be successful professionally. We help our members develop relationships, be creative, have higher emotional intelligence, relate to clients and customers, present and speak well, become better listeners and much more!

The President and Board are very involved in setting the course of the organization. Along with our staff, we develop a strategic plan, work with chapters and members to communicate that plan and support the membership on a national level. As President, I will oversee the vice presidents who chair our committees to ensure that the goals we have set for the year will be implemented and the projects completed. I will work closely with our Executive Director on any issues that affect the organization from a national perspective and I will represent the organization wherever, whenever needed.

My involvement in this organization has been instrumental in providing me with leadership skills that have helped me advance not only within AFWA, but in other organizations, including the Montana Board of Public Accountants, and my own practice in Absarokee as well. It has been a safe environment to hone public speaking skills, to share professional knowledge and grow my network of colleagues and friends.

Being involved at a national level has allowed me to be exposed to topics that I might not encounter Montana. I feel like I have a broad base of knowledge AND a whole network of colleagues that I can call upon. My membership certificate still says “student member”. I never imagined that one day I would be the National President of AFWA.