Michael Barton, CPA – 2021 40 Under 40 Honoree

• In December 2016, at the age of just 25, Michael was appointed by the Governor of Indiana to serve on the Indiana Board of Accountancy. In July of 2019, Michael was voted by his fellow board members to serve as Chairman where he continues to serve in such capacity.
• In April of 2018, Michael served as the finance committee chair for the 50^th reunion of the American Basketball Association at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
• In May of 2019 Michael received the Advocacy Award from the Indiana CPA Society for his advocacy efforts within the accounting profession.
• In January of 2020 Michael was promoted to Partner at Petrow Kane Leemhuis, PC.

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

Michael is a current member of the 2021-22 NASBA Diversity Committee where the purpose of the committee is to develop a diversity program that ensures that NASBA provides opportunities, encouragement, and support to people of color and women to participate in NASBA service and leadership roles. Michael also serves as Treasurer of the Dropping Dimes Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the well-being of former players of the American Basketball Association and their families, who are experiencing financial or medical difficulties and have encountered significant hardship or sickness. Michael has also served on various other committees for NASBA and the AICPA.

Favorite books/websites/podcasts/speakers/bloggers:

• Book: Loose Balls
• Website: Accounting Today
• Podcast: The Pete The Planner Show
• Speaker: Kimberly Ellison-Taylor

What do you like best about the accounting profession?

Best part of the accounting profession is the wide variety of things you can do and the variety of clients you can serve as a CPA. Every industry out there needs someone with financial acumen and I love that I get to be that resource for my family, friends and clients.

See all of the 2021 “40 Under 40” honorees.