State CPA Society News and Updates – Dec. 2024

Accounting | December 24, 2024

State CPA Society News and Updates – Dec. 2024

State CPA Society News & Updates is a selection of recent announcements and initiatives by CPA associations in the United States and its territories.

Mary Girsch-Bock

State CPA Society News & Updates is a selection of recent announcements and initiatives by CPA associations in the United States and its territories.

The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA) will live stream the 2025 Health Care Conference, which will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The conference will address the current state of the health care sector along with trends and issues impacting health care providers. The cost of the conference is $299 and those interested can register online.

The Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) has announced the 2025 Women’s Awards Honorees. The Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 15 at TPC River Highlands, Cromwell at 7:30 to 10:30 AM. Those interested in attending can register online

Distinguished Service Award Winners

LeeAnne W. Creevy
Risk & Regulatory Consulting (an affiliate of RSM) 

As a partner with Risk & Regulatory Consulting (an affiliate of RSM), LeeAnne co-leads a team of more than 100 individuals who provide professional services to the regulatory insurance community. In her current role, she is responsible for leading client service and business development teams, developing and training people, and providing financial and operational oversight for the team. 

Stacey A. Curran, CPA
Whittlesey PC 

Stacey is a senior assurance manager at Whittlesey, specializing in audits for nonprofits and healthcare organizations receiving federal and state funding, and is the senior manager of many of the firm’s largest nonprofit clients. Her client work spans diverse industries, ensuring she maintains a broad perspective and versatile skills. Learn More

Mary Manfredi, CPA
General Dynamics, Electric Boat

Mary is the manager of finance at General Dynamics, Electric Boat where she manages several accounting functions including payroll, timekeeping, accounts payable, and travel expenses.

Lauren Shugrue, CPA
The Innovative CPA Group, LLC 

Lauren is a founding partner of The Innovative CPA Group, LLC. She works with businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and nonprofits in both the tax and attest areas. She is also involved in the day-to-day operations and growth of the firm. 

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Women to Watch Winners

Melanie Ballestas, CPA
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) 

As a nonprofit principal in CLA’s West Hartford office, Melanie provides audit services to a variety of nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about supporting nonprofits not only through her work at CLA, but through her involvement with The Bridge Family Center and muscular dystrophy-related organizations.Learn More

Kaitlyn Baron, CPA 
CBIZ, Inc.

As an assurance supervisor at CBIZ, Kaitlyn specializes in conducting, reviewing, and analyzing financial information within the life sciences, biotech, and manufacturing  industries. Beyond providing exceptional client service, Kaitlyn is committed to mentoring and developing her team, helping them grow, and fostering a passion for the profession. 

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Megan D’Alessandro, CPA
Deloitte & Touche LLP

Megan is an audit manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP and currently serving a two-year rotation in Deloitte’s National Office. In addition to serving her own financial services audit clients, Megan advises teams on complex transactions including public offerings, accounting for financial instruments, and adoption or evaluation of accounting standards. 

Destiny Hartmann, CPA
Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP 

Destiny is a tax manager at Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP, providing tax services to a variety of clients in the environmental, technology, and medical space. Destiny is co-chair of her firm’s Women’s Group, onboarding, training and development, and is a mentor to several young colleagues. Lean More

Kariann McDougall, CPA
CBIZ, Inc.

Kariann is a senior manager at CBIZ and is part of the tax team. She has expertise in tax compliance and planning for high-net-worth individuals and small and mid-size businesses with focuses in food and beverage and professional services. Learn More

Nicole Pelletier, CPA
Whittlesey PC

As an assurance manager at Whittlesey, Nicole provides audit and other attest services to financial institutions with a primary focus on banks, credit unions, and community lending organizations. 

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Aspiring CPAs Winners

Hannah Cleary
Ernst & Young

As an audit senior in the financial services sector of Ernst & Young, Hannah provides assurance services for high-profile insurance clients and investment managers by developing audit strategies, coordinating audit procedures, and bringing innovation to both her clients and her engagement team. Learn More

Erin Jose
Whittlesey PC 

Erin is a tax supervisor at Whittlesey where she provides tax preparation and compliance services to high-net worth individual, pass-through, and corporate clients.

Learn More

The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) is happy to announce the appointment of Brian E. Sebak, CPA, president of Sebak and Monner Associates, LLC, on being selected to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) 2024 Leadership Academy. He is among 30 CPAs chosen nationally to be included in the Academy’s 16th graduating class. The program takes place Dec. 9-12 in Durham, North Carolina.

An active member of the NJCPA, Sebak is the director of the Morris/Sussex Chapter and is a member of the Emerging Leaders and State Taxation interest groups. He has more than 15 years of experience specializing in tax returns and Quickbooks bookkeeping services as a registered Quickbooks Pro Advisor for small businesses, as well as helping clients with IRS and state tax resolution services.

“We are proud of Brian’s accomplishments, both in being selected to such an esteemed program as well as his dedication to the NJCPA. We look forward to his continued engagement with the Society and the profession,” said Aiysha (AJ) Johnson, MA, IOM, CEO and executive director at the NJCPA.

The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYCPA) recently added an additional benefit for all NYCPA members. All members will now have free, unlimited access to CPE courses that are available in the Self-Study Course Catalog.

The Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA) will continue to accept nominations for the TSCPApex Awards, which honor those whose exemplary efforts and achievements work to advance Tennessee’s accounting profession.

The TSCPApex Awards include several categories and will honor both TSCPA members and nonmembers contributing to the accounting profession. Nominations are due Dec. 31, 2024, with both multiple entries and self-nominations permitted. Winners will be announced in June 2025. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www.tscpa.com/awards.

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Mary Girsch-Bock

Mary Girsch-Bock

Contributing Writer

Mary grew up in Chicago, graduating from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She began her career as accountant and later made the switch to writing full time, concentrating on business and technology, with a focus on small business. A former QuickBooks beta tester, Mary’s work has appeared in The Motley Fool, The Blueprint, and Property Manager.com.  She currently writes a monthly accounting and technology-related blog for PLANERGY, and ghostwrites several blogs for various software companies.