THE GUIDE TO WICPA COMMITTEES AND BOARDS

Joining a WICPA committee or serving on a board is a great way to network with like-minded individuals, sharpen communication abilities, gain leadership skills, form business relationships and friendships and strengthen your brand. They are also ways to “give back” to the profession that has given you so much. Sharing your talents as a volunteer enhances the CPA profession while helping others achieve ambitious goals. You can receive CPE credit when you attend a meeting — and you can attend in person or by video conferencing, so you can be involved wherever you are and whatever your schedule. For more information about committees and to join one, contact Tammy Hofstede, WICPA president & CEO, at tammy@wicpa.org.

WICPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Accounting Higher Education Committee

Chair: Matthew

Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, Bank of Wisconsin Dells

The WICPA board of directors provides strategic governance in accordance with the WICPA strategic plan, mission and vision. The board ensures the WICPA serves the diverse needs of members, enhances professional competency, promotes the value of members and the profession, advocates on behalf of the profession and builds community among members.

Chair: David Schlichting

The Accounting Higher Education Committee consists of educator representatives of Wisconsin colleges and universities that have accounting programs intended to qualify graduates to take the CPA Exam and obtain a CPA license. The committee has provided a forum for educators to network; share information; learn about each other’s institutions and programs; and serve as a resource to Wisconsin legislators, regulators and other policy makers.

WICPA

Educational Foundation Board Of Directors

President:

Paul Frantz, Partner, Baker Tilly LLP

The WICPA Educational Foundation plays a pivotal role in supporting programs to improve awareness and perceptions by educating students and educators about the exciting opportunities available to accounting professionals.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE — FALL

Chair: Carver Smith, Partner, Truity Partners

Chair:

Accounting

&

Auditing Conference Planning Committee

Gary Schmid, Retired, F.I.R.E. New Market Tax Credits

The Accounting & Auditing Conference Planning Committee provides CPAs and financial professionals in public accounting, industry and government — and their staff — with information on current changes and timely issues in auditing standards, FASB, GASB, governmental managing, improving data and document workflow, and accounting and financial reporting. Training in technology and soft skills is also offered at the conference. Those who attend the planning meeting, find a presenter or introduce a speaker at the conference receive complimentary conference registration.

Accounting Careers Committee

Chair: Ryan Hanson

The Accounting Careers Committee promotes, educates and excites students about the changing roles of a CPA and the unlimited career opportunities.

The Business & Industry Fall Conference provides CPAs, CEOs, CFOs, controllers and accounting staff in industry, public accounting, government, education and nonprofits updates on current issues and tax implications affecting various areas of business and operations, human resources and IT, as well as new and improved ways to manage a changing workplace. Those who attend the planning meeting, find a presenter or introduce a speaker at the conference receive complimentary conference registration.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE — SPRING

Chair: Christopher

Cholka, Accounting Manager, Cousins Subs

The Business & Industry Spring Conference provides CPAs, CFOs, CEOs, controllers and accounting staff in industry, public accounting, government, education and nonprofits updates on current accounting and tax implications affecting various areas of business and operations, human resources, IT, as well as new and improved ways to manage a changing workplace. Those who attend the planning meeting, find a presenter or introduce a speaker at the conference receive complimentary conference registration.

Editorial Planning Committee

Chair: Marcia Tillett-Zinzow (mtzinzow@icloud.com)

The annual On Balance Editorial Advisory Committee meeting is an opportunity for members to critique content published in the magazine and contribute ideas for article topics. Members are encouraged to share issues and trends affecting their businesses, clients and the accounting profession. Feedback is used to help plan the editorial calendar. The meeting sometimes results in committee members being asked to write articles on specific topics in which they have expertise. During the year, members may be called upon to contribute topic ideas for specific issues of the magazine.

Ethics Committee

Chair: Barry Sattell

The Ethics Committee oversees the effective regulation and enforcement of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

High School Educator Committee

Chair: Mark Bichler, Business Education Teacher, Port Washington High School

The High School Educator Committee is relatively new. It was formed in 2020 to provide a forum for high school educators to discuss accounting in the classroom and engage WICPA members to promote the profession at their schools through career fairs, speaking in the classrooms and providing input on topics for the Educator Accounting Symposium. The committee consists of educator representatives from Wisconsin high schools that have accounting and/or business programs.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Chair: Jessica Horning, CFO, Milwaukee Catholic Home

Chair: Lucas Petzold, Tax Leader, Kollath & Associates, CPA LLC

The Federal Taxation Committee regularly engages in dialogue with the IRS, discusses new developments in federal taxation matters and keeps WICPA members informed of new developments in tax authority, practice and procedures.

Federal Taxation Committee Finance Committee

Chair: Lucien Beaudry, Equity Shareholder, ReinhartBoerner Van Deuren s.c.

The Finance Committee oversees the financial activity of the WICPA, including the annual budget, audit, investments and net assets.

Financial Institutions Conference Planning Committee

Chair: Wendy Peters, Retired, Kohler Credit Union

The Financial Institutions Conference covers a variety of specialized topics that include regulatory and legislative updates, compliance issues and the latest economic conditions that challenge both larger and community-based financial institutions. Those who attend the planning meeting, find a presenter or introduce a speaker at the conference receive complimentary conference registration.

The Not-for-Profit Accounting Conference provides all levels of financial professionals in nonprofit and health care organizations with the knowledge, insight and strategies to use when facing accounting and financial challenges specific to their organizations with topics including tax-exempt issues, fundraising and risk management. Those who attend the planning meeting, find a presenter or introduce a speaker at the conference receive complimentary conference registration.

Public Policy Committee

Chair: Jeff Dewane, Controller, Vinton Construction Co.

The Public Policy Committee is vigilant in monitoring public policy issues that impact the profession and in recommending and implementing appropriate actions and responses to our state’s elected representatives and other policy-making bodies.

School District Audit Conference Planning Committee

Chair: Wendi Unger, Partner, Baker Tilly

The School District Audit Conference, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, provides the only training for auditors of Wisconsin public school districts and private school choice program schools. This includes the latest auditing updates, developments and tools they can use to better serve school districts and their communities. Those who attend the planning meeting, find a presenter or introduce a speaker at the conference receive complimentary conference registration.