Iowa CPA - April 2024

Leadership event now on Thursday

Make plans now to attend the ISCPA Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting on May 2. We welcome members, new CPAs, special guests, students and award recipients to The Meadows Events & Conference Center in Altoona for this popular half-day event. Find inspiration from excellent speakers, experience great networking, and celebrate member awards and student scholarships. Spend an afternoon with us and fellow accounting professionals at this can’t-miss event.

The 5th Question

Gina Glover is an engaging storyteller and career coach who will unravel the mystery of the 5th Question and how to wield it like a pro. Gina adds humor to real-life stories that real-life people can relate to and appreciate. She provides a happy balance of useful content and entertainment around topics related to networking, teamwork and career change. Learn how to turn networking into lasting relationships and leave with strategies to make the most of every new connection you make!

Let’s talk about the profession

Okorie Ramsey, CPA, CGMA, PMP, NACD.DC, is Vice President, Sarbanes/Oxley (SOX), Kaiser Permanente and has a deep connection with CPAs across the nation as chair of the AICPA. Explore the current trends, challenges and advancements that are shaping the accounting industry.

Unwind together

With your new insights and ideas for winning in 2024, end the day with great conversation at our networking reception and Iowa CPA Education Foundation fundraiser. Congratulate the award winners, scholarship recipients and welcome new CPAs to the profession. Enjoy some light music and unwind while we all show support for the Education Foundation.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Annual Meeting

May 2, 2024 | Meadows Events & Conference Center, Altoona

Schedule:

Noon-12:45 p.m.: Lunch

12:45–1 p.m.: Annual business meeting and election of leaders

1–2 p.m.: Focus on the 5th Question | Gina Glover

2:15–3:20 p.m.: Profession update | Okorie Ramsey, CPA, CGMA, PMP, NACD.DC | Chair of AICPA

3:35–4:15 p.m.: Iowa CPA Education Foundation scholarships and CPA awards

4:15–5:15 p.m.: Networking reception benefiting Iowa CPA Education Foundation | Live music

Register today at www.iacpa.org/LCAM

ISCPA members-only CPE series continues

We are thrilled to share our popular series of FREE continuing education courses is returning for the 2024-25 membership year. Exclusively available to ISCPA members, the total value of this CPE series is far more than your annual membership dues!

As part of our commitment to providing ongoing learning opportunities, we have once again designed a comprehensive series to help you expand your knowledge and skills.

The lineup of virtual, one-hour courses will cover a wide range of topics. Whether you are looking to enhance your leadership skills, stay up to date with the latest developments in the profession, or simply explore new areas of interest, we have something for everyone.

As an ISCPA member, you will have access to 12+ hours of CPE at no charge. That’s a savings of $580 just for being an ISCPA member! Courses will be added throughout the year, so be sure to check often for updates: www.iacpa.org/24free

Be sure to renew your ISCPA membership in early May to start taking advantage of this amazing 2024-25 member benefit. Take a look at two of the courses kicking off the series in May and June.

Energize Your Career Trajectory: Strategies to Equip Yourself for Sustained Success

May 16 | 9-10 a.m. | 1 hr CPE

Value Pricing Starts by Working with the Right Clients

June 18 | 9-10 a.m. | 1 hr CPE

ISSUE NO. 2024-4

Published 10 times per year by the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA). Send address changes, advertising inquiries and all correspondence to: 1415 28th St., Ste. 450 West Des Moines, IA 50266

Email: iacpa@iacpa.org Website: www.iacpa.org or contact the ISCPA office: 515-223-8161 800-659-6375

Do you like podcasts?

If you are a fan of podcasts, ISCPA offers informative podcasts by Ed Zollars on federal tax developments as well as episodes of the Accountable Podcast with Dave Peters for other industry topics. This membersonly content is accessible at www.iacpa.org. Find podcast episodes by navigating to the Resources tab, then click on News. Sign in as a member to access the podcast news listings. The latest podcasts can also be found on the ISCPA home page in the news section.

Are you ready to take advantage of AI?

By Thomas G. Stephens, Jr., CPA, CITP, CGMA

You’ve undoubtedly heard a great deal about Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the past eighteen months. During this time, generative AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot have become more mainstream daily. But have you explored how you can take advantage of, and benefit from, AI? Read on and you will learn how to take advantage of one of the most promising emerging technologies.

First, what is generative AI?

Since 2022, generative AI has emerged as one of the most talked-about technologies ever. As their name implies, generative AI tools can generate content for you. That content can be text-based, or it can be visual. Generative AI can also generate other forms of content, such as music, videos, and even computer code (including Excel macros).

Large datasets known as Large Language Models (LLMs) power generative AI platforms. Engineers “teach” LLMs complex relationships between the items in these datasets so that they can respond to users' requests or prompts.

Generative AI represents one of several types of AI, and in the near term, generative AI is likely to be the most commonly used in business circles. Generative AI tools can respond to prompts such as those listed below.

• Explain the principal differences between LLCs and partnerships.

• What are the significant changes to 2023 tax laws.

• Help me understand large language models.

• Write an engagement letter for preparing a corporate tax return.

• Create a memo explaining the need for adequate information security controls.

The sky is the limit when prompting your generative AI tool. Once you issue a prompt and receive your initial reply, you can modify your prompt, much like having a conversation with a human. For instance, you could prompt your AI tool with a request such as “Help me to understand The Corporate Transparency Act.” Then, after receiving the initial reply, you could add more prompts, such as “more details” or “restate in memo form.”

What can the tools do for you?

As indicated above, you can use generative AI tools to engage in “conversations” on almost any subject. For example, you can prompt your AI platform to create a business letter, a speech, a blog post, or a memo. Indeed, there are very few topics with which generative AI tools struggle to create content. However, that does not mean that these tools are perfect.

Sometimes, the LLM on which your AI tool relies may need an update. This could be particularly concerning if you were to research tax laws using a generative AI tool, but the LLM required an update. In this scenario, you would risk receiving outdated guidance from your AI platform. In other cases, the LLM may not have access to a sufficiently representative data set. In such cases, that might increase the risk of bias appearing in the provided results. So, checking the citations and references provided always helps to ensure your results are timely, accurate, and representative. Notwithstanding the above, most users will find their AI-generated results accurate and timely – probably more so than those in books, magazines, and journals.

Catch the latest technology updates and information at the ISCPA Technology Conference on June 10-11. Go to www.iacpa. org/tc

What do you need to do to get started?

Presently, three tools dominate the generative AI market: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. All three offerings provide free access, and many users will find that model sufficient to meet their needs. However, paid subscription models are also available for users with more advanced needs, including generating images or integrating with Microsoft 365. ChatGPT is one of the pioneers associated with generative AI. You can sign up for a free account by visiting their website (https://chat.openai.com/ ) and registering. However, a paid subscription to ChatGPT ($20 per user per month) provides more features, including an updated LLM and the ability to

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Continued from page 3

generate images.

Like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini platform (https:// gemini.google.com/app) also offers a free subscription and a paid offering costing $20 per user per month. Gemini provides deep integration with other Google services, including Gmail.

Microsoft’s Copilot AI platform (https://copilot. microsoft.com) is similar in some respects to ChatGPT and Gemini but also offers a strikingly different feature set in its paid model, costing $30 per user per month. For example, anyone can access the free platform without signing up for an account. To do so, open the Edge browser on your device and then click the Copilot icon near the upper right corner of the window. Doing so provides you with immediate access to Copilot. For even more power, you can sign up for the paid version of Copilot and use the tool to analyze data in Excel, summarize

lengthy email threads, and even draft PowerPoint presentations from Word documents.

Summary

Far from an exhaustive review of all you can do with today’s AI tools, this article has focused on how to get started in the fantastic new world of artificial intelligence. Today’s AI tools – although not perfect – are truly remarkable at what they can do and the time they can save you. Thus, if you haven’t experimented with AI, I encourage you to start soon. Once you do, you will probably never return to working as you did in the past!

Tommy is a shareholder of K2 Enterprises. At K2, Tommy focuses on creating and delivering content and is responsible for many firm management and marketing functions. You can reach him at tommy@ k2e.com or learn more about K2 Enterprises at www.k2e.com

Don’t delay, renew in May

Whether you're here for the advocacy efforts, count on us for top-notch CPE, or thrive with peer-to-peer connections, make sure you're taking advantage of all your membership has to offer.

April is the final month of our membership year. Your annual membership renewal period begins May 1. Watch for your renewal statement in your inbox, mail, or visit www.iacpa.org/renew. Please consider using our secure online renewal process or ACH option.

An ISCPA membership pays for itself

Our members-only FREE CPE series helps you expand your knowledge and skills. The total value of this benefit alone is more than your annual membership dues!

Stronger by association

Being engaged with your state society can lead to opportunities you’ve never thought possible. Attend a conference or connect with others through discussions on ISCPA Link, our member online community. Volunteer for a committee, task force or participate in the annual Iowa CPAs Month of Service. Becoming more engaged means you build relationships with amazing people!

Quality first

With an eye on the needs of our members, we continue to deliver the highest quality events and initiatives. From an ever-expanding list of highly rated online learning choices to our growing outreach to younger generations, we equip members with new skills and knowledge while opening the minds of those looking for an exciting future profession. Invest in yourself, your state society and the profession by renewing your membership in May. Thank you for your continued support of ISCPA. The membership renewal covers May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025.

2023-24 ISCPA Member Volunteer Opportunities

ISCPA Committees are comprised of member CPAs and accounting professionals just like you.

Business & Industry Committee

The Business & Industry Committee is a community of members sharing and improving their knowledge of current issues affecting accounting and finance professionals working in business and industry. The committee’s purpose is to provide a regular and structured platform for members and key stakeholders to communicate directly and openly about relevant issues and provide insight on hot topics for the annual Business & Industry Conference. Attendance at the Business and Industry Conference is strongly encouraged.

Career Awareness Committee

In an effort to increase the number and quality of candidates entering the accounting profession, the Career Awareness Committee promotes, encourages, and educates students and influencers about the CPA profession. This includes planning events for high school and college students and providing input on the development of pipeline programs and best practices.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

The DEI Committee will implement actionable steps to diversify and sustain the CPA pipeline. DEI initiatives address ISCPA members’ interest in recruiting students of diverse backgrounds and getting minorities hired into the profession. Committee members are expected to connect with community influencers to promote accounting to individuals from all backgrounds.

Iowa CPA Education Foundation Advisory Committee

This committee promotes the Iowa CPA Education Foundation by selecting scholarship recipients and advocating for this meaningful endeavor that supports the next generation of CPAs. The estimated time commitment is 3-6 hours, which includes reviewing and scoring scholarship applications, working on efforts to increase awareness of the foundation, and attending 1-2 meetings per year.

Iowa CPAs Month of Service Committee

The Iowa CPAs Month of Service Committee is responsible for planning the annual Iowa CPAs Month of Service event held in September. Committee members should evaluate how the event can best promote Iowa CPAs as local community advocates and provide value to members and their employers. Also, provide input on volunteer opportunities, promotion, and participation; and participate in the event through individual or team projects with co-workers or other CPAs. The committee is also responsible for reviewing criteria and selecting Iowa CPA Month of Service Award recipients. This committee meets 2-3 times per year.

LEAP Committee (Leaders Emerging in the Accounting Profession)

ISCPA’s LEAP Committee for young professionals 40 and under is charged with being - and finding - the leaders and future leaders of our organization. Committee members provide input on learning and development, leadership and networking to engage members. Projects include participation in the newly launched mentoring program, planning and attending service and social activities throughout the year, and identifying topics and selecting experts for Emerging Leaders Conference as a key partner in the planning process. Committee members attend two meetings per year, with hybrid participation available. Attendance at a minimum of two LEAP events strongly recommended.

Financial Institutions Committee

ISCPA’s Financial Institutions Committee is composed of members working in or with financial institutions. The committee serves as a resource for members serving or employed in the financial services arena and plans the annual Financial Institutions Conference. Committee members attend 3-4 meetings per year, with hybrid participation available. Attendance at the annual Financial Institutions Conference is strongly encouraged.

Governmental Auditing and Accounting Committee

The Governmental Auditing and Accounting Committee is composed of members working in governmental accounting, members working with governmental entities through audits, etc. and members who are interested in governmental accounting work. The committee encourages excellence in the performance of professional services related to auditing and accounting for governmental units. Committee members work with appropriate regulatory bodies, such as Iowa Auditor of State and Iowa Department of Revenue. The committee also plans and attends the Iowa Governmental Roundtable and provides relevant educational opportunities to ISCPA members. This committee also monitors changes or proposed changes in governmental auditing requirements at the federal and state level and establishes a vehicle for informing members of those changes. Attendance at the Iowa Governmental Roundtable is strongly encouraged.

Insurance Industry Committee

ISCPA’s Insurance Industry Committee provides a forum and relevant educational opportunities for members in the insurance industry. The Committee plans and attends the annual Insurance Industry Conference, held each June. This committee meets 2-3 times a year and hybrid participation is available. Attendance at the Insurance Industry Conference is strongly encouraged.

Nonprofit Organizations Committee

The Nonprofit Organizations Committee is made up of members serving, or employed in, nonprofit organizations. This committee analyzes and recommends educational opportunities in not-for-profit accounting, auditing, governance, compliance and taxation, including planning and participating in the annual Nonprofit Organizations Series. Attendance in the Nonprofit Virtual Series is strongly encouraged.

Taxation Committee

The Taxation Committee offers technical assistance to members and keeps them informed of significant changes in taxation laws.

Projects include providing content for related articles to ISCPA members; maintaining relationships and meeting with representatives of governmental agencies, such as the Iowa Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service; review and offer comments to proposed changes to administrative rules; monitor proposed federal and state tax legislation as needed; participate in the Iowa CPA Legislative Day at the State Capitol in January; and monitor and provide input as appropriate to any changes to the tax appeals process. Time commitment depends on state tax legislative and regulatory activities. Committee meets May-August.

Legislation Committee

The Legislation Committee assists in formulating and advancing ISCPA’s legislative priorities as authorized by the board of directors. Projects include reviewing, updating, and submitting a proposed legislative agenda to the board of directors; keeping members informed of proposed legislation of interest during each session of the Iowa Legislature; building and sustaining relationships with policymakers; attending the Iowa CPA Legislative Day at the State Capitol in January, and participating in grassroots outreach to elected officials, as needed. The committee also advocates for the Iowa CPA Political Action Committee (ICPA/ PAC) and helps distribute financial support to candidates for the Iowa Legislature. This committee meets annually, usually in August.

Membership Council

ISCPA’s Membership Council is composed of representatives from each of ISCPA’s committees. The council receives overviews of the initiatives and priorities of each committee, offers a space for members to share feedback they are hearing from their respective committees, and disseminates ISCPA membership statistics to display transparency into the trends and challenges in today’s business environment. The Membership Council meets two to three times per year.

What the future of accounting really needs

By Seth Fineberg

I’ve said this in a multitude of ways, but I think it’s time to spell it all out: If the accounting profession is to thrive, let alone survive, some serious changes need to occur—and in fairly short order. This is a profession I’ve observed, and thankfully gotten to know closely, for more than two decades. In that time, I witnessed a few major setbacks and milestones: the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, multiple recessions, and the more recent digitalization and automation of the profession, to name a few.

But nothing, in my view, has impacted the profession more than the global pandemic. Any hesitations about automation, cloud utilization, and remote work had to be dealt with head on, because it was the only way work could get done. Firms large and small - even those that felt they couldn’t ever work from home or utilize cloud or automation tools—were forced to reckon with their new reality, which was only compounded by what seemed like a never-ending tax season and a lack of acceptable guidance from the IRS about the employee retention credit and Paycheck Protection Program.

The result? For the first time since I began covering this profession, I saw accountants literally in tears with claims they officially wanted out of accounting altogether. A growing number are simply saying they’ve had enough. It’s understandable that the numbers of accountants entering the profession and still available to do the work are in decline. If we’re going to make accounting a more attractive career to pursue and stay in, I believe there are three things the profession needs to embrace.

1. A flip to ‘life-work’ balance

The idea of work-life balance has been discussed for years. For professionals who are required to regularly earn continuing professional education credits to retain their credentials, on top of working likely anywhere from 60 to 80 hours per week during the multiple busy seasons throughout the year, balance is a bygone for anyone looking to get ahead. At some point, we have to say “enough.”

Therefore, I believe the concept of work-life balance has to be flipped to life-work balance, which prioritizes people’s time, sanity, and sense of purpose. I’m not suggesting the profession should accept that

the needs of clients or companies be ignored, but a pathway to “balance” where both people’s and businesses’ well-being matter. This profession needs to set boundaries and stick to them. Let that be the norm.

Just consider the cyclical nature of what’s accepted (in an almost dystopian rite of passage) as “busy season.”

This cycle of abuse accountants endure year in and year out, to the point at which I’ve seen so many want to leave the profession because they simply can’t take it anymore, has to end.

It’s also time to say “enough” to the expectation that serving bad clients, extra hours, working weekends, and completing the majority of work during predetermined blocks of time is just the way it is. If these things don’t change, the profession will never be attractive to future generations of accountants.

2. A continued push for diversity and inclusion

Saying and doing uncomfortable things isn’t necessarily in the DNA of accountants. But, as is the theme of this article, accountants are humans and need to treat themselves—and others—as such. In order for this profession to progress and be one people want to come into, those of us in it now need to help foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment and community.

When I first began covering accounting more than 20 years ago, the number of women in leadership positions was a paltry few, as white males dominated those roles. Calls for this to change were heard and, while there’s still a long way to go to achieve true balance, today there are far more women leaders in the profession than ever before. When it comes to people of color in leadership roles, that number is still a paltry few and doesn’t begin to reflect the demographics of our country. I believe this profession has to begin to reflect the society it serves if it’s going to be a welcome career choice. This may be an uncomfortable conversation (for some) to have, particularly for those currently in leadership roles, but we must face the fact that our country has a deep history of not being inclusive or equitable. Allowing people to be their authentic

selves at work has become as important as the lifework balance I mentioned above, if not more so. Collectively, the profession has to do far better than it has and offer more than just lip service to become truly inclusive. People want to work in an environment where they’re seen and judged equally on their merits as professionals.

3. An honest conversation about pay

Finally, it’s time for the profession to have an honest conversation about compensation. Regardless of where you live, starting and even mid-level salaries for accountants simply aren’t high enough to justify one’s investment in education and professional development. Those well established in the profession know that a lucrative career may arise, but students and young professionals have a very hard time seeing when, or if, a payoff awaits. Just look at the starting salaries Robert Half’s 2024 Salary Guide estimates for the roles students and young professionals are commonly hired into:

• Associate, audit/assurance services: $49,000

• Tax associate: $52,750

• Senior associate, audit/assurance services: $57,750

• Senior tax associate: $67,250

If compensation doesn’t become more competitive with entry-level roles in comparable professions, the number of students pursuing accounting careers will certainly continue to decline.

I’ve seen time and again that the accounting profession can adapt and change when it needs to. Now is another time that it needs to. If this profession is to have a future, that change needs to be driven by those of you in the profession now. You all have the means to inspire change and help redefine what it means to be an accounting professional.

Seth Fineberg is an independent consultant to the accounting profession, working with firms and vendors that serve it. He’s been a journalist and editor for over 30 years, spending most of his career as an editor with Accounting Today and AccountingWEB.

Reprinted courtesy of Insight, the magazine of the Illinois CPA Society.

CPE Spotlight

Signature events coming in May and June

Spring marks the start of our signature conference and seminar season! We are excited to offer a wide array of unique learning opportunities in special areas of interest.

May events

MAY 2 Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting

MAY 13 Governmental and AICPA Ethics Update

MAY 13 Iowa Governmental Audits – Local Government Update

MAY 14 Iowa Governmental Roundtable

MAY 20 Audits of Employee Benefits Plans Conference

MAY 21 Financial Institutions Conference

ISCPA members-only Free CPE series

June events

JUNE 10-11 Technology Conference

JUNE 20 Insurance Industry Conference

JUNE 27 Ethics and Technology

Elevate your expertise with our FREE continuing education courses exclusively available to ISCPA members for the 2024-25 membership year. As a member of ISCPA, you gain exclusive access to 12+ hours of valuable CPE content at no cost. That’s a savings of $580 just for being an ISCPA member! Be sure to renew your membership in early May to take advantage of this series. Get more details on page 2.

Save these dates! 2024 Tax & Annual Updates

JUNE 26 Interstate Insights: Regional Perspectives on Multistate Tax Trends, live virtual seminar

OCT. 28 Accounting and Auditing Update for the Real World, West Des Moines and live webcast

OCT. 29 2024 Preparation, Compilation and Review Update for the Local Firm, West Des Moines and live webcast

NOV. 1 2024 Real World Tax Update for Individuals and Entities, S. Sioux City, Neb. and live webcast

NOV. 7 Federal Tax Update: Individual and Business, West Des Moines and live webcast

NOV. 11-12 Fall Federal Tax Summit with Ron Roberson, Cedar Rapids (last chance to see Ron in person!)

NOV. 25 Iowa Tax Update, West Des Moines and live webcast

DEC. 9-10 Winter Federal Tax Summit with Ron Roberson, live virtual seminar

LEAP forward

…Need-to-know news and events for leaders emerging in the accounting profession

Visit www.iacpa.org/young-professionals for detailed information about these events.

Playing for a cause

ISCPA LEAP Committee members have fun in and out of the office! In late February, LEAP members participated in CanPlay’s Courage on the Court tournament held at the MidAmerican RecPlex. LEAP team members discovered the skills required to play basketball while using a wheelchair. They even participated in a wheelchair dunk contest, complete with a panel of judges. Team members had to work together to perform the most creative dunks. The LEAP Committee demonstrated that not only are CPAs smart, they can shoot hoops too! The annual event raises money for adaptive sports, fitness and social programs for kids, teens and adults with a special need or disability. Special thanks to our 2024 Courage on the Court Team: Jenna Day, Michelle Hutson, Isaac LaFleur, David Wall, Sam Irwin and Judi Steward.

Get your game on at the LEAP Game Night on April 23

Whether you endured a busy tax season, stressful financial reporting deadlines, or a crazy budget cycle, it’s time to kick back and have some fun!

The Iowa Society of CPAs LEAP (Leaders Emerging in the Accounting Profession) Committee is hosting a game night on Tuesday, April 23rd from 5-6 p.m. at Ricochet in downtown Des Moines. This cool new event space features a wide variety of games, from skee-ball and foosball to bubble hockey and cornhole!

ISCPA has reserved a party room for our group and will provide appetizers and one free drink ticket. New to the group or haven't participated in a while? This event is an excellent opportunity to check out ISCPA's young professionals group!

LEAP is for emerging leaders, and this event is open to all young professionals, members and nonmembers. Sign up at www.iacpa.org/games

LEAP Lunch & Learn kickoff

We'll kick off the new membership year with a LEAP Committee meeting and Lunch & Learn seminar featuring Jeffrey Vaske, Ed.D., ACC, founder of CPE Leadership Solutions, LLC. Register now at www.iacpa. org/LEAP24

Energize Your Career Trajectory: Strategies to Equip Yourself for Sustained Success

Thursday, May 16 | 11:30 a.m. | 1 hour CPE

In-person attendance available at the ISCPA Enrichment Center in West Des Moines

Take the LEAP with ISCPA for:

• Engaging discussions and collaborations with awesome peers.

• Opportunities to influence ISCPA's initiatives for young professionals.

• Develop leadership skills that will supercharge your career.

• Making a real difference in our profession and community.

Welcome!

The following individuals have recently joined the Society. Please take time to welcome them and invite them to participate in events and programs with you. Find these members in ISCPA’s Member Directory at www.iacpa.org/my-cpa .

Nolan Black

Global Atlantic Financial Group

Des Moines

Samuel Conlan RSM US LLP

Cedar Rapids

Chitunga Crandall EY, Des Moines

Becky Decker EY, Des Moines

Evan Dosedel EY, Des Moines

Hannah Dueker

RSM US LLP

Cedar Rapids

Brad Gregory

RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Alex Hartwig

Myers & Stauffer LC

Des Moines

Tyler Huntley

Welgaard CPAs and Advisors

Urbandale

Brett Huth

Meriwether Wilson and Company PLLC

West Des Moines

Jeff Jacobs Kingland Systems Corporation

Ames

Luke Kluesner RSM US LLP

Dubuque

Austin Lackey RSM US LLP

Cedar Rapids

Erik Lackore

RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Kayla Lenz EY, Des Moines

Kara Lindhoff

Meriwether Wilson and Company PLLC West Des Moines

Tom Lofredo, Deloitte Des Moines

Jessica Ludwigson EY, Des Moines

New Student Affiliates

Coe College

Jack Allison

Creighton University

Trevor Pudenz

CSU - Global Campus

Carlyn Goebel

Marshalltown Community College

Griffin Busch

Southern New Hampshire University

Carla Rentschler

University of Iowa

Pramisha Biswa

Ashley Christians

Kenji Fisher

Adalyn Goodwin

Bridget Hansen

Natalia Jasinska

Kai Johnson

Hunter Lagone

Gustav Muenzenmay EY, Des Moines

Nathan Mueterthies RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Jessica Pitzer RSM US LLP

Davenport

Riley Plummer RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Alexis Pottebaum RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Cassie Renken

Williams & Company PC

Sioux City

Hattie Rhodes RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Henry Smith

Denman CPA LLP

West Des Moines

Gavin Sullivan

RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Kaitlyn Taylor Evans RSM US LLP

Davenport

Timothy Teut

Denman CPA LLP

West Des Moines

Emma Troutman RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Jesse Van Wyk RSM US LLP

Des Moines

Jakob Wesselink EY, Des Moines

Allison Wilkerson

Deloitte

Davenport

Alec Wulfekuhle RSM US LLP

Cedar Rapids

Jin Yu EY, Des Moines

Adam Maharry

Edward Meendering

Maxwell Moldt Culbertson

Kira Price

Carter Rial

Ryan Riggs

Michael Roper

Steven Schnur

Aidan Shumaker

Anna Van Roekel

Logan Waltz

University of Northern Iowa

Haley Christensen

UW-Platteville

Brayden Bohnsack

Western Illinois University

Jennifer Warren

Members in the news

Kip Albertson, Banker’s Trust, Des Moines, has been promoted to executive vice president.

Carter Amundsen has been hired by Tri-City Electric Company of Iowa, Davenport as Controller.

Brad Carlson, F&G, Des Moines, has been promoted to SVP, FP&A & Operational Execution.

Samantha Fritz has been hired by Dexter Laundry, Inc, Fairfield, as a Senior Staff Accountant.

Chris Grisham has been hired by Ragan Mechanical Inc, Davenport, as Controller.

Eric Miller, Meriwether Wilson and Company PLLC, Perry, has been promoted to Member.

Alexis Pitzen has been hired by Mittera Group, Des Moines, as a Senior Financial Analyst.

Taylor Promes, Principal, Des Moines, has been promoted to Senior Associate Accountant.

Jessica Ringena, HyVee Inc, West Des Moines, has been promoted to President, Amber Specialty Pharmacy.

Jennifer Robbins, Dotdash Meredith, Mesa, Ariz., has been promoted to Internal Audit Manager.

Sandi Smith, Principal, Des Moines, has been promoted to Senior Director.

Tara Sterba has been hired by the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Iowa City, as Associate VP, Controller.

Zachary Vande Weerd, Carson Wealth, Pella, has been promoted to Associate Wealth Advisor.

Matt Vogl, Meriwether Wilson and Company PLLC, West Des Moines, has been promoted to Member.

Marc Wampler, Hy-Vee Inc, West Des Moines, has been promoted to AVP, Internal Audit.

CLASSIFIEDS

IOWA PRACTICES FOR SALE: Gross revenues shown.

1. NEW -North Central Iowa CPA Practice - $1,040,000

2. NEW- Sioux City, Iowa Tax Practice - $220,000

3. Quad Cities Area CPA Practice - $760,000

4. Eldora, IA CPA Practice - $354,000

5. Cedar Rapids/Waterloo Area CPA Practice - $825,000

6. Northeast Iowa CPA Practice - $326,000

7. NE Iowa (Fayette County) Tax & Accounting Practice - $390,000

8. North Central Iowa Tax Bookkeeping Practice AVAILABLE AFTER 4/15/24- $277,000

9. Southeastern Iowa CPA Practice AVAILABLE AFTER 4/15/24- $860,000

10. North Central Iowa Tax EA Practice AVAILABLE AFTER 4/15/24- $298,880

11. Winterset, Iowa CPA Practice AVAILABLE AFTER 4/15/24 - $704,000

12. Northwest Iowa/Plymouth County EA Practice AVAILABLE AFTER 4/15/24- $490,000

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VALERIE CULP

JOB: Adjunct accounting instructor at DMACC

HOMETOWN: Huxley

ALMA MATER: Iowa State University, B.S. and MAcc

What can we find you doing when you’re not at work?

I currently teach one course at DMACC but spend most of my time hanging out with our one-year-old daughter, Frankie. We love going for walks, reading books and thrifting. I also enjoy making Instagram and TikTok content about our daily lives, and I am recently into making budgeting content.

What’s one thing you can’t make it through the day without? Chapstick

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Although I am only in my first semester of teaching, I am absolutely loving it and would love to pursue it in a greater capacity once my child(ren) is older.

What (or who) motivates you the most? Having our daughter shifted my entire worldview in the best way, and I feel incredibly motivated to model living an intentional life for her.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

Since I am currently teaching at a community college, many of my students have not yet decided on their major. Throughout this semester, I have successfully “converted” several of my students to accounting majors, which is so exciting since I know the doors a career in accounting has opened for me.

What ways have you been involved in ISCPA and how have they benefited you? I joined the Career Awareness and DEI Committees in 2021 after connecting with ISCPA's Director of Membership & Business Development, Lindsey Haley, at a conference. I have volunteered through numerous opportunities the society has presented me with, including reading to local elementary students the book, “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be an Accountant,” presenting to high school and college students about what it means to be a CPA, and judging at the Iowa Collegiate FBLA State Leadership Conference, to name a few. Volunteering through ISCPA has given me the opportunity to give back to my community through promoting a profession with immense opportunity for students.

What made you want to become a CPA? My dad is a CPA, and I loved growing up with a parent who understood money. I took a financial literacy class in high school, and on the first day we took a pretest over all of the concepts we were going to cover that semester. I got the highest score in the class by a considerable amount. I realized what an advantage I had in life having grown up talking about personal finance and the economy.

What’s your best piece of advice for a college student thinking about becoming a CPA? CPAs are in high demand, so it’s important to clearly define what it is you are interested in and what you want out of your career so you can save your “yesses” for the opportunities that align with your personal and professional goals (travel, work/life balance, money, helping others, etc.).

Best concert I’ve been to: Last summer, I got to see Bruce Springsteen play in Edinburgh, Scotland at their outdoor rugby stadium along with 67,000 fans.

Favorite app: I was never on Facebook, but have since discovered Facebook groups, and I can’t get enough. My current favorite Facebook groups are Iowa Critters, 1000 Hours Outside Official Group, and Ankeny Moms.

First job as a teen/youth: I worked at Casey’s in high school. My favorite shift was Saturday mornings because I loved the energy (most people are in a good mood on Saturday mornings). I had a 50% employee discount on the food, so I’d always get a donut and a piece of breakfast pizza for like $2, which I am sure contributed to my preference for this shift. For almost two years, I worked 5-8 every night, one 8-hour shift on Saturday, and one 8-hour shift on Sunday, which led me to earn the nickname of “Casey’s girl” in my hometown.

What I wanted to be when I grew up: I grew up watching The Today Show almost every day, and always thought being a television anchor would be the coolest job. As a fun fact, I actually skipped walking at graduation for my MAcc because my husband and I wanted to plan a trip to NYC to visit The Today Show plaza during that time.