Melisa Galasso, CPA, CGMA – 2018 40 Under 40 Honoree

Professional Associations/Memberships: 

• AICPA – Technical Issues Committee,  Leadership Academy Alumni (2014), CPE Content Author, Frequent Speaker, NFP Conference Planning Committee
• NCACPA – Past President – Charlotte Chapter, Past Chair – A&A Committee, Frequent Speaker, Interim Review article contributor, Co-Chair – Charlotte Women’s Initiative, Professional Women’s Conference Planning Committee Co-Chair
• VSCPA – Board Member, Disclosure Task Force Member, Frequent Speaker, Disclosures article contributor

Career Highlights

Melisa Galasso is the founder of Galasso Learning Solutions, where she designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics as well as essential business skills. In addition to running her own business, she works part time as a Director in Cherry Bekaert’s Professional Practice Department. She meticulously monitoring regulatory bodies for changes in auditing and accounting guidance and serves as a subject matter expert in implementing the changes. Melisa takes complex technical topics and transforms them into understandable material that results in positive learning experiences. In the last five years, Melisa received the Women to Watch – Emerging Leader Award from the NCACPA and AICPA, the 50 Most Influential Women by the Mecklenburg Times, the Top 5 Under 35 Award from the VSCPA, several 5.0 Speaker awards, and the Don Farmer Award from the NCACPA for excellence in training of technical courses. In 2017, Melisa received the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ Designation. Prior to establishing Galasso Learning Solutions, Melisa worked in public accounting, industry, internal audit, and academia.  She earned her BSBA from Georgetown University.

What are you doing to make a difference in the profession, your community, the world?

Melisa supports many charitable organizations including the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Ballet, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Theater of Charlotte, Dress for Success, and Girls on the Run. Her daughter, an animal lover, makes certain that she also shows support for several animal related causes. Melisa is an active volunteer for Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, Providence Day School, and Georgetown University. Melisa is active in the CPA profession serving on committees at the local, state and national levels. She has a passion for accounting and enjoys teaching Becker CPA review courses to help the next generation of CPAs join the profession!

Favorite books/websites/speakers:

Favorite Books – “Presence,” by Amy Cuddy, Extraordinary Circumstances by Cynthia Cooper, 

Websites – Working Mother Magazine, Biz Chix, Journal of Accountancy,

Speakers – The CPA profession is lucky to have some amazing speakers like Donny Shimamoto, Jennifer Elder, Art Auerbach, Joe Rugger and Raven Catlin. In addition, some of our leaders are amazing speakers like Kimberly Ellison-Taylor and Tom Hood.

What do you see yourself doing professionally in 10 years?

I see Galasso Learning Solutions continuing to serve the accounting community by providing custom training that results in genuine learning. This year GLS expanded into NASBA approved webinars. In 10 years, much like the accounting profession, my career and company will adapt to meet changing industry needs, but I will continue to have the goal of insuring high quality education that provides great return on investment. 

What accounting conferences do you normally attend? 

This year I attended the AICPA’s ENGAGE conference and in particular the National Advanced Accounting & Auditing Technical Symposium. I spoke at the AICPA’s Not For Profit and Government Accounting & Auditing Conferences. I am the co-chair of the NCACPA’s Professional Women Conference and I’ve also spoken at several state society conferences throughout the country.

What websites/magazines do you use to keep up on news of the accounting profession?

• Journal of Accountancy
• Checkpoint Newsletters
• FASB & GASB media notices
• Accounting Today

 

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See more of the 2018 40 Under 40 Honorees, and the 20 Under 40 Vendor Superstars.