NSA Honors Award Winners at 2017 Annual Convention

Each year accounting and tax professionals who made significant contributions to the accounting profession are honored by the National Society of Accountants (NSA).

This year several individuals received awards at the 72^nd NSA Annual Convention in Reno, NV. Several NSA Affiliated State Organizations (ASOs) were also presented with major awards.

Person of the Year –Carol Campbell, Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Return Preparer Office was honored as the NSA Person of the Year. Campbell was instrumental in working with NSA on developing the IRS Annual Filing Season Program, which resulted in the IRS recognizing the value of Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) credentials. She also worked with NSA on other important tax-related issues.

Accountant of the Year – One of NSA’s highest honors was presented to Sally Levitt, EA, PA, ATA, ABA, of Levitt Financial Services in Shawnee, KS for outstanding achievement and service to NSA and the accounting and tax profession. Levitt has been a state director, served her state society, and served on several NSA Committees, including as Chair of the Awards Committee and on the Right to Practice Committee.

Distinguished Service Award – Presented to Mary Lemons for significant and exemplary contributions for the betterment of NSA and its membership, as well as the accounting profession. The award recognizes continuous service, loyalty, and dedication to NSA. Lemons graduated from the NSA Leadership Program in 2010, joined the Leadership Committee and became the Administrative Chair for Leadership in 2012 for two years. She then became the Governance Administrative Chair and has served in that position for three years. Lemons has also served as State Director for the Montana Society of Public Accountants since 2012.

Speaker of the Year – This award recognizes outstanding NSA continuing education presentations. The winner was Kathy Hettick, EA, ABA, ATP, of Hettick Accounting in Enumclaw, WA. Hettick has been a presenter for NSA since 2010 at the Nationwide IRS Tax Forums, where she has consistently earned top honors and high marks from IRS Tax Forum attendees. She also presents webinars for NSA as part of the NSA ConnectED webinar series, bringing her popular tax forum sessions and other topics to NSA members nationwide.

Affiliated State Organization (ASO) of the Year – The Wisconsin Association of Accountants was named ASO of the Year for its overall achievements and promoting and implementing NSA programs. Its programs in membership recruitment, member services, seminar and education sponsorship, and legislative activity combined with the financial stability of the organization helped earn the award.

Norma Kraus State Director of the Year Award – This award, given to the best State Director, was presented to Andrew Piernock Jr., ATP, of Piernock Accounting Services in Philadelphia, PA. He was praised for his dedication in attending NSA events and his affiliated state organization events and participating on a number of important committees.

NSA Young Professional of the Year Award – The winner of this award was Kevin Hettick. He served as his Affiliated State Organization President, co-chairing its legislative committee, and was very active in monitoring his State Board of Accountancy. Hettick was also instrumental – even though a CPA himself — in working with his State Board of Accountancy to allow CPAs to work in non-CPA firms.

Keith Billings Memorial Award – This award is given in memory of Keith Billings, a mainstay of the original NSA Editorial Review Committee, and recognizes the most outstanding ASO publication based on content, coverage of activities, timeliness of articles, newsletter format and overall appearance. Two winners were recognized: the Public Accountants Association of Kansas for its Kansas Public Accountant publication and the North Carolina Society of Accountants for its The Accountant publication.

National Editorial Award – This award is given annually for the best individual article appearing in a state publication of an Affiliated State Organization. The winner was Tammy J. Pachta of Manhattan, KS for her article, “Glossophobia,” which appeared in the Kansas Public Accountant. Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking, and the article gave practical tips that introverted accountants can use in their practice and profession.

Outstanding Tax Talker Award – This award recognizes an NSA member for their exceptional participation on the NSA Tax Talk, an online and email discussion forum that members often cite as one of the NSA benefits they value most. The award went to Howard W. Bleiwas of Pomona, NY, who has a knack for contributing knowledge about the practical side of tax planning and preparation, and doing so with a sense of humor.

For more information about NSA, visit www.nsacct.org

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