For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jennifer Rieman 614.764.2727, ext. 331 (office)
614.519.1279 (mobile)
(COLUMBUS, June 20, 2012) –
The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) welcomed 500 CPA leaders to its annual meeting yesterday in Columbus. The statewide association of 22,000 CPAs celebrated a year of accomplishments and rapid change for members. Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, a CPA and OSCPA member, outlined progress the Kasich/Taylor administration has made to encourage a more business-friendly environment in the state with the support of OSCPA. She commended OSCPA’s support of CSI: Ohio, The Common Sense Initiative, and the CPA organization’s push for reforms including the repeal of the estate tax and the Forever Buckeyes program as examples of how OSCPA is helping to drive new jobs and talent in Ohio.
In other news, OSCPA installed Brendan Fitzgerald, CPA, partner with Sustin, Bartell & Waldman Ltd. in Cleveland as the 2012-2013 chair of the OSCPA Executive Board. In addition, OSCPA awarded its highest honor, the Gold Medal for Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession, to J. Clarke Price, CAE, the organization’s president and CEO. Price, only the second non CPA to receive the award in more than 20 years, will retire December 31 after 40 years with OSCPA. He has been CEO since 1990.
In presenting the Gold Medal to Price, James Gottfried, CPA, immediate past chair of the OSCPA Executive Board said, “Clarke’s commitment to both looking out for the interests of CPAs and growing the Society have gained OSCPA respect among business leaders, legislators and other associations. That includes creating an exceptional legislative team, commitment to leveraging technology and success in building a unique culture that drives innovation for member and public service initiatives.”
During his tenure as CEO, Price has led several high-profile legislative wins for OSCPA including driving tort reform, overhauling Ohio’s antiquated tax code and the 2009 creation of the Ohio Budget Advisory Task Force in response to Ohio’s $8 billion budget crisis. Currently, OSCPA is leading a coalition of 18 professional organizations in Ohio driving for r reform of the state’s municipal income tax structure.
Price’s has been named one of the “100 Most Influential” in the accounting profession by Accounting Today magazine on 10 occasions. He’s been named a “Technology Superstar” by Accounting Technology magazine and received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).
Fitzgerald has been an OSCPA member since 1988 and has served in various leadership roles including on the Executive Board, Finance Committee, The Centennial Campaign Steering Committee and the Programs Committee for The Ohio CPA Foundation, OSCPA’s charitable affiliate.
Robert Zunich, CPA, ABV, Director with Barnes Wendling CPAs Inc. in Sheffield Village, was installed as chair-elect and will become chair in 2013 while James Gottfried, CPA, retired partner with Ernst & Young LLP in Cleveland, assumed the position of immediate past chair. Phillip Wilson, CPA, Principal and COO, Hill Barth & King LLC, Youngstown, continues as Vice Chair, Finance.
The following individuals were named to new, two-year terms on the Executive Board: - Ron Antal, CPA, MST, Research Credit Group (Akron);
- William Chorba, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, NineSigma Inc. (Cleveland);
- Christoper Dean, CPA, Senior Manager, GBQ Partners LLC (Columbus);
- Kathleen Hoover, CPA, Partner, Corbets & Associates (Cleveland);
- Kenneth Haffey, CPA, CVA, Partner, Skoda Minotti CPAs (Cleveland);
- Glenn Roberts, CPA, Partner, Hoover & Roberts, Inc. (Cincinnati);
Additional Member Awards Eileen Sass, CPA, a sole practitioner in Akron and 19-year OSCPA member, received the 2012 Outstanding Member Volunteer Award for her support of OSCPA’s education programs, including instrumental membership in committees that develop events such as the Cleveland Accounting Show and Akron CPE Day. Sass is the owner of Sass Accounting Services, LLC in Copley.
E. Ann Gabriel, CPA, CGMA, Ph.D., received the Ohio Outstanding Educator Award. An associate professor of accountancy from Ohio University, Gabriel has a long-standing record of service to the CPA profession. The recipient of numerous awards, including Ohio University College of Business Excellence in Professional Activity and Service Award in 2009, Gabriel is also a published author.
Claudia Lubaski, CPA, CMA, CFE was the first recipient of the Outstanding Ohio Two-Year Accounting Educator Award. Lubaski is an assistant professor of accounting at Lorain County Community College. She is currently co-authoring a book and has participated in The Ohio CPA Foundation’s High School Accounting Career Day.
The Ohio Society of CPAs, established in 1908, represents more than 22,000 CPAs in business, education, government and public accounting. The Ohio Society’s members not only meet statutory and regulatory requirements as CPAs, but also embrace the highest standards of professional and ethical performance. This is achieved through ongoing professional education, comprehensive quality review and compliance with a strict Code of Professional Conduct.
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