special events

By John Rasche

Nearly 100 new CPA licensees, their guests and supporting firm and business leaders attended the 2022 New CPA Banquet at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center on Friday, June 3. Even Bango, the Milwaukee Bucks mascot, was there to celebrate. One of the WICPA hallmark events of the year for Wisconsin accounting professionals, the New CPA Banquet honors the state’s newly licensed CPAs and celebrates their hard work, determination and accomplishment. Professionals from across Wisconsin enjoyed dinner, drinks and a keynote presentation by Patrick McDonough, CPA, CFO of Fear the Deer LLC. After crossing the stage to receive their official State of Wisconsin CPA Certificates, the new licensees were awarded with a bottle of champagne and a high-five from WICPA Board Member Kyle Stephens, CPA. “I enjoy celebrating each year with the new CPAs because it is such a huge accomplishment that’s worthy of celebration. Every year that I attend the banquet, it’s also a reminder to myself that I’ve worked really hard to get where I am today,” said Stephens, the co-founder and president of Craft Beverage Warehouse in Milwaukee. “The New CPA Banquet is also a reminder for new licensees to take a moment and reflect on their future accomplishments — because with a CPA credential there will be future accomplishments,” Stephens added. Rebecca Albrecht, one of the new CPAs recognized at the banquet, appreciated the opportunity to celebrate her license with family, friends and peers. “It was wonderful to be in a room where everybody knew what a special accomplishment the CPA credential is,” said Albrecht, a new CPA with Ernst & Young LLC. “Support from family and friends is a key part of successfully passing the exams, and it was nice for them to celebrate with me as well.”

Patrick McDonough with his wife, Marnie, and Bango.

Kyle Stephens giving a high-five and bottle of champagne to a new CPA.

2021 New CPAs present at the banquet.

Accounting runs in Albrecht’s family. Her mother, Wendy, is a CPA and runs her own business. “My mother definitely was an influence in my decision to become an accountant and was able to show me the opportunities the CPA profession provides,” Albrecht said. Robert Albrecht, Rebecca’s late grandfather, was a past WICPA board member and president of the WICPA Educational Foundation.

“I was more curious about the WICPA and what kind of organization it was because my grandpa passed away around the time I started public accounting,” Albrecht said. “Being at the New CPA Banquet definitely made me feel closer to him since I know the WICPA was special to him. I know he would have been proud that I became a CPA.” Albrecht said she recommends to any new CPA licensee in Wisconsin that they celebrate at the WICPA’s annual New CPA Banquet. “It takes a significant amount of work to become a CPA, and it shouldn’t be glossed over or treated as something that is just expected of individuals in the accounting field,” she said. “It was exciting that I was still able to celebrate this accomplishment, as I had passed my exams at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,” Albrecht added. “I feel like I didn’t truly appreciate the accomplishment at the time because I was unable to celebrate with the people closest to me — but it’s truly a special accomplishment.” Benjamin Revie, an accounting student at Marquette University College of Business Administration and a recipient of one of the 2022 WICPA Educational Foundation’s LeRoy C. Schmidt 150-Hour Scholarships, agreed with Albrecht. “I think it’s important to recognize CPAs at the banquet because of all the hard work it takes to earn that CPA title,” Revie said. “These new CPAs will eventually become the leaders of the accounting profession.” The LeRoy C. Schmidt 150-Hour Scholarships of $2,500 are awarded each year to qualified applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate academic achievement and volunteerism. Accounting students can learn more about the WICPA Educational Foundation’s college scholarships at wicpa.org/scholarships. Revie also enjoyed the networking opportunities the New CPA Banquet provided. “I enjoyed connecting with my fellow WICPA Educational Foundation scholarship recipients the most,” he said. “Another highlight for me was connecting with professionals who work at KPMG, the same firm where I am currently interning.” Guests enjoyed meeting McDonough of the Milwaukee Bucks and seeing the NBA team’s Championship Trophy in person at the banquet, followed by casino-themed entertainment. Want to see photos of the event? Head to the WICPA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/WisCPAs to look through the 2022 New CPA Banquet photo album.

WICPA Educational Foundation scholarship recipient, Benjamin Revie.

John Rasche is the WICPA’s public relations manager. Contact him with news, announcements and story tips at 262-785-0445, ext. 4510, or john@wicpa.org.