AICPA Honors 11 Forensic and Valuation Professionals

The AICPA recently recognized the contributions of 11 finance professionals during the 2023 AICPA & CIMA Forensic and Valuation Services Conference held in Las Vegas in November. AICPA, as part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, hosts this annual conference to provide the profession with cutting-edge information on new technology and quality networking opportunities.

Each year, AICPA recognizes volunteer contributions to the practice and profession. The awards spotlight significant contributions to the advancement of the fields of forensics accounting and business valuation. This year, Natalya Abdrasilova and Howard Silverstone were named as Volunteers of the Year, while nine young finance professionals received the Forensic and Valuation Services (FVS) Standing Ovation award.

2023 Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year – Natalya Abdrasilova, CPA/ABV

Natalya has been working in the public accounting arena for twenty years, providing forensic, valuation, litigation, and tax services across various industries and testifying on a variety of valuation and litigation matters. Currently, she is a Director of Valuation and Litigation Services at Boyle, Deveny & Meyer, PC in Missoula, MT.

“Natalya spent three years on the Business Valuation Committee as an active contributor to countless projects, helping to support AICPA initiatives,” said Mark Smith, director of valuation services for AICPA & CIMA. “She has also stepped up on numerous occasions to help on advocacy efforts, where her expertise in the complicated area of ESOPs has been invaluable.”
Natalya has been giving back to the accounting and finance profession for many years. She served three years on the AICPA’s Business Valuation Committee and was a co-lead on the update of the AICPA’s Business Valuations for Gift and Estate Tax Practice Aid. She has also served as a task force member developing an estate and gift focused resource page, presented multiple sessions at the last three FVS Conferences, worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to help inform constituents about ESOP valuation matters, and appeared as an FVS podcast guest.

2023 Forensic & Litigation Services Volunteer of the Year – Howard Silverstone, CPA/CFF

Howard has nearly 40 years of professional experience, serving as a forensic accountant in both the United States and the United Kingdom, where he holds the titles of U.S. CPA and Chartered Accountant (England and Wales). He is currently a director with forensic and investigative accounting firm Forensic Resolutions, Inc. in Westmont, N.J.

Currently, Howard serves as a member of the AICPA’s Forensic & Valuation Services Executive Committee, having previously served on both the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) Credential Committee as well as the Forensic & Litigation Services (FLS) Committee. He has played an instrumental role in a number of FVS Section initiatives, including: authoring and serving as a subject matter expert for the AICPA Fraud Investigations course; speaking frequently at the annual Forensic & Valuation Services Conference; participating in webcasts and fireside chats; and playing a pivotal role in the development and launch of the FVS Eye on Fraud Quarterly Report in 2016.

“Howard’s extensive knowledge and commitment to the profession during his tenure on multiple committees has been instrumental in advancing the interests of the forensic and valuation services area,” said Barbara Andrews, director of forensics and technology advisory services for the AICPA & CIMA. “He has a genuine passion for helping others and has brought an innovative approach to developing key member resources.”

Standing Ovation Program

The Standing Ovation Program recognizes young professionals holding the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) or Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV^®) specialty credentials who have exhibited exemplary personal achievement. The recipients in this year’s class were honored during the AICPA & CIMA Forensic and Valuation Services Conference. They were recognized for their efforts to advance their fields, including volunteering at various nonprofit organizations, speaking to local CPA groups, serving as volunteer experts to legal organizations and guest lecturing in college accounting classes.

“We applaud the exceptional individuals who have earned the prestigious FVS Standing Ovation award for their outstanding contributions and unwavering education,” said Andrews. “Their commitment to excellence is inspiring and their achievements are a testament to the incredible impact that individuals can make within their organizations and communities.”

The 2023 list of FVS Standing Ovation recipients is in alphabetical order below:

Katie Brown, CPA/CFF — Huselton, Morgan & Maultsby, P.C., Dallas, TX
Nathan Dean, CPA/CFF/ABV — FTI Consulting, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Christopher Draney, CPA/CFF — BRG, Alpine, UT
Rachel Gillilan, CPA/CFF — Red Bike Advisors, Wilmington, NC
Jackson Jewkes, CPA/ABV — Lone Peak Valuation Group, Lehi, UT
Robert J. Nowlin, Jr., CPA/CGMA/CFF/ABV — Ankura Consulting Group, LLC, Chicago, IL
Trevor Shaw, CPA/CFF/ABV — Withum, Princeton, NJ
Scott Sievers, CPA/ABV — The McLean Group, McLean, VA
Christopher Wenrich, CPA/ABV — Wilke CPAs & Advisors, LLP, Pittsburgh, PA

In addition to forensic accounting and business valuation represented by the FVS Section, the Standing Ovation Program also recognizes young finance professionals who exhibit exemplary professional achievement in the areas of Personal Financial Planning (PFP) and Technology Advisory Services).

Business partners or managers are encouraged to submit applications on behalf of nominees, and applicants may self-nominate with an accompanying letter of recommendation from a partner or manager. Standing Ovation nominees must be 40 or younger, and nominations may be submitted on the AICPA & CIMA website.

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