Meet the outstanding members and successful Exam candidates honored at CPA Celebration
The Indiana CPA Society recently recognized CPAs who are advancing their profession, organizations and communities, as well as successful Exam candidates at The Crane Bay Event Center on November 17. Read on to learn more about each award winner and finalist.
CPA Celebration Quick Stats
- Nearly 400 Guests
- 14 Award Winners
- 60+ Successful Exam Candidates
- 15 Indiana CPA Exam High Grade Award Recipients
- 26 Organizations Represented
- $7,000+ Raised for Indiana CPA Educational Foundation
ADVOCACY AWARD
This award honors an individual or organization that has advocated on behalf of the CPA profession by working with the INCPAS advocacy team, legislators and/or regulatory officials.
 |
|
L–R: Tom Bayer, CPA, CExP; INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM; Donna Niesen, CPA; Brian Myers, CPA
|
WINNERS
Thomas E. Bayer, CPA, CExP
Partner – Sikich, LLP
Tom volunteers on the Government Relations Advisory Council, serves as a CPA Advocate and also as a Trustee on the Indiana CPA Educational Foundation Board. This year, Tom shared his expertise to help members with Employee Retention Credit claims and issues, helped guide our work in the PTET legislation, and advocated for the profession on our behalf on WISH-TV’s Business Equity & Opportunities program. Tom is a valuable resource as we prepare for new Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements, sharing tools and resources of value.
Brian D. Myers, CPA
Partner – Crowe
Brian has been an active advocate for the profession and played an instrumental role on the Society’s Pass-Through Entity Taxation working group — drafting, implementing and providing clarity on Indiana’s PTET Bill this year. Working closely with the bill authors, Indiana has greatly benefited from Brian’s expertise and dedication. You might also recognize Brian’s name from the Open Forum, where he has graciously answered critical implementation questions and served as a vital resource.
Donna Niesen, CPA
Partner – Katz, Sapper & Miller
Donna has played an instrumental role in helping with clarity on Indiana’s Pass-Through Entity Taxation Bill this year as well. Donna serves on the Indiana CPA Society’s Tax Resource Advisory Council, as a CPA Advocate and as a Technical Reviewer. Her proactive approach to legislative, regulatory modernization is deeply beneficial to the profession. A strong advocate for common sense solutions, Donna not only serves as a resource to the Society, but she also volunteers her time and expertise to ensure the profession and Department of Revenue can effectually execute sound state and local tax policies.
VISIONARY AWARD
Presented by Leaf Software Solutions
This award honors a transformative individual or organization implementing activities, processes or programs designed to address future issues/needs.
 |
|
L–R: Sponsor Jim Selvio, Leaf Software Solutions; Amy Northard, CPA; INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM
|
WINNER
Amy M. Northard, CPA
Founder & CEO – The Accountants
for Creatives
Amy’s vision is for entrepreneurship. She founded The Accountants for Creatives, a boutique virtual CPA firm that works with creative entrepreneurs and artists. Her firm is rapidly growing and now employs 16 accountants across the country. Amy proactively equips small business owners with free tips and tools they need to get started through her free “Know Your Worth” online course; shares her expertise as a speaker for events throughout the creative industry; and provides time- and money-saving content to help these artists gain a foothold and grow their passion projects.
FINALISTS
Shannon M. Borden, CPA
Director – Blue & Co.
Shannon’s vision is for service. Early in her career, she identified the opportunity for Blue & Company to provide not-for-profits with niche services. She has since helped build this service line up to the point where the firm is now positioned as a market leader. She leads the related growth initiatives, best practices and thought leadership for all 11 offices. Shannon is an open-minded, forward-thinking leader who constantly seeks ways to enhance service and experience for her team and clients.
Sara C. Jacobi, CPA
Director & Executive Committee Member – Blue & Co.
Sara’s vision is for people. She started as an intern at Blue & Company in 1995 and is now chair of the Executive Committee—the first woman to hold position. This role requires an eye for innovation, business growth and professional development. She created mentoring circles this past year, hosts monthly sessions for all interns to speak on relevant topics, and she sponsored the creation of the firm’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council to help ensure their firm is meeting the needs of current and future hires.
Paul D. McCann, CPA
Founder & CEO – Red Earth CPA
Paul’s vision is for client experience. As founder of Red Earth CPA, Paul has established a vertical niche of managed service providers to help companies with outdated tech and inefficient processes. He has created a streamlined customer experience with a clear scope of services, upfront price and internal ticketing system for timely responses. Further, he recently introduced the Journey to Peak Financial Performance which maps out the services and stages each client will go through in the process of growing their company.
WOMEN TO WATCH AWARD
Presented by ACAChamp
This award honors outstanding long-time or up-and-coming women within the CPA profession.
 |
|
L–R: Sponsor Monica Pritz, ACAChamp; Mary Riggle, CPA, CGMA; INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM
|
WINNER
Mary H. Riggle, CPA, CGMA
Partner – Donovan CPAs
Mary was a leader at La Rosa & Company
for nearly 40 years before it was acquired by Donovan CPAs, where she is now a partner. She is a past president of both the AICPA’s Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance and the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants. Mary also has been a leader for INCPAS, serving as chair of Indiana Firm Day and on several project teams, including Promotion of Accounting Education, Public Relations, and Management of Accounting Practice.
FINALISTS
Amy M. Northard, CPA*
Founder & CEO – The Accountants
for Creatives
*See Amy’s bio in the Visionary Award category.
Nickie N. Redick, CPA
Partner – FORVIS
Nickie is a partner at FORVIS, where she plays an integral role on the recruitment team and invests significant time into coaching the junior staff so they can be positioned for a successful long-term career. In 2021, she won the BKD (now FORVIS) PRIDE Award, the firm’s highest internal honor. She is also a founding member and current board president of Executive Women in Finance in Indianapolis, for which she is proactively growing membership.
Margene L. Zink, CPA, CGMA
Partner – Kruggel Lawton CPAs
Margene is the first female partner at Kruggel Lawton CPAs and has helped the firm target and grow their non-profit assurance and tax work. She is now frequently sought out as one of the foremost technical experts in this area. She also started the firm’s Women’s Initiatives Network to help bridge the gap between how men and women operate within their personal and professional lives.
INCPAS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award honors an INCPAS member who has gone above and beyond to serve INCPAS in volunteer role(s).
 |
|
L–R: INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM; CJ Bails
|
WINNERS
Cameron “CJ” Bails
Assurance Senior Associate – PwC LLP
CJ’s involvement with INCPAS began during his college years, where he regularly spoke with INCPAS Scholars during their annual trip to Indiana University. Since then, he has dedicated his time to support our pipeline initiatives. From becoming an incredible mentor in the Scholars program to helping high school students better understand opportunities in accounting through multiple CPA Week presentations, CJ’s commitment to the profession’s talent pipeline has inspired countless students to consider careers in accounting.
John M. Lawrence, CPA
Partner – John M. Lawrence & Associates CPAs, LLC
John is a long-time, recognized discussion leader for INCPAS. As our members navigate significant changes—like PTET and Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements—he invests a significant amount of time to bring fellow members up to speed. Reading guidance, teaching new concepts and serving as an on-demand resource, his proactive volunteerism is invaluable.
EMERGING LEADERS AWARD
This award honors up-and-coming leaders in the profession—leadership can be for their employer, clients and/or the community.
 |
|
L–R: Erica Emanuel, CPA; INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM; Jose Castro, CPA, CIA
|
WINNERS
Jose Castro, CPA, CIA
Senior Manager – Protiviti
Jose led the charge to revitalize the Indianapolis chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), which is now 200 members strong. He currently serves as their President. He has already helped start student chapters at Marian University and IUPUI, and has a Ball State University chapter in development. Jose regularly volunteers with INCPAS as a CPA Week presenter at local high schools, serves as an INCPAS Scholars mentor, and is on our Diversity Advisory Council.
Erica Emanuel, CPA
Controller – Viewrail
Erica is a controller and manages five team members at ViewRail manufacturing company, where she reduced reliance on outside accounting services and shored up GAAP compliance. Her leadership within her community is prolific—she is a baseball coach for the Goshen Boys & Girls Club, track and field coach for Goshen High School, coach for Goshen Parks Department, and chair for Elkhart County Young Republicans. Most recently, she ran for a Goshen City Council At Large seat.
FINALISTS
Trinity M. Ellis, CPA
Tax Services Manager – Donovan CPAs
Trinity first began working at Donovan CPAs in 2015 and in 2022 emerged as a pivotal leadership touch point when Donovan navigated two mergers, ensuring a seamless execution for both IT and client transitions. He is a graduate of the two-year INCPAS Young Pros Leadership Academy, where he exemplified commitment to his own professional and personal development—and future leadership within his firm and the profession.
Madeline Kurcz, CPA
Assistant Professor of Accounting – Marian University
Madeline leads both innovation and engagement within her classrooms as an assistant professor of accounting at Marian University. She has successfully prepared five experiential learning courses at Marian so her students can better engage with and understand the material. She also actively encourages students to pursue CPA licensure and take advantage of the new 120-Hours-to-Site Rule. Madeline is in her second year of the INCPAS Young Pros Leadership Academy and has brought a unique perspective to the cohort to help continually effect change.
Troy M. McAlister, CPA
Associate Director of Financial Reporting & Analytics – Indiana University
Troy has risen from senior accountant to associate director in less than two years at Indiana University. His project management skills and ability to foster collaboration among diverse teams has garnered internal recognition and leadership awards. He spearheads several critical projects shaping the future of accounting operations and compliance. Troy is also a graduate of the INCPAS Young Pros Leadership Academy.
BREAKTHROUGH AWARD
This award honors an individual who has overcome significant challenges or adversity in their path to professional success. Must be an INCPAS member.
 |
|
L–R: Tonde Yorbana, CPA, MBA; INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM
|
WINNER
Tonde Yorbana, CPA, MBA
Senior Financial Controls & Reporting Analyst – Franciscan Alliance
Tonde was born in Chad and studied business in Cameroon after high school. No institutes in Central Africa offered the CPA Exam, so he enrolled in a French institution to complete the curriculum. He completed his master’s degree online, attended the English Program for Internationals at the University of South Carolina, then graduated from the MBA program at the University of Notre Dame. It took 15 years, but—just shy of his fortieth birthday—he finally achieved his goal of obtaining his CPA license.
FINALISTS
Derek J. Magee, CPA
Assurance Services Manager – Donovan CPAs
Derek started working at Donovan CPAs in 2018. He studied and attempted to pass the CPA Exam multiple times over the next two years. Ultimately, Derek left the firm in 2021 for corporate finance. But he wasn’t done! Three years later, he returned to Donovan and, within a year, conquered all four sections of the CPA Exam and was promoted to manager of the assurance services team.
Elizabeth C. McGraw
Director of Client Accounting Services – BGBC
In 2022, Beth was diagnosed with TTP, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder that required months of physical and cognitive rehabilitation. Her perseverance, desire to work as an additional way to aid her recovery process, and commitment to her team at BGBC led to her promotion to director of client accounting services sooner after she returned to work in January 2023. Next year, she will be speaking at a national conference to help build awareness of her rare medical condition and be available as a resource for others going through a similar health journey.
TALENT PIPELINE AWARD
Presented by FORVIS
This award honors an individual or organization that is building, diversifying and/or retaining talent in the profession.
 |
|
L–R: Sponsor Kevin Pahud, CPA, FORVIS; Karen Hill; INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM
|
WINNER
Karen Hill
Director of Talent Acquisition & Staffing – Katz Sapper & Miller
Karen oversees and is expanding KSM’s recruitment team. She recently helped KSM secure its first high school accounting apprentice through EmployIndy’s Modern Apprenticeship Program. She collaborates with the Kelley School of Business at IUPUI’s Headquarters of Urban Business for their internships and entry-level roles. She also evaluates KSM’s hiring process to ensure it’s free of biases and barriers for underrepresented individuals and groups. In the past year, the success of her efforts is evidenced in a 33% increase in new hires of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
FINALISTS
Sarah E. Ames, CPA
Audit Senior Manager – DOZ
Sarah is committed to bringing diversity to the forefront of her organization. She is responsible for creating the DOZ’s Diversity Committee, which has grown to include Employee Resource Groups supporting LGBTQ+, Multicultural, Parents, Women and others. She also planned DOZ’s first Pride Parade and mentors four women through its mentorship program. Sarah is also dedicated to recruitment, attracting countless new hires into their firm over the past decade.
Jose Castro, CPA, CIA*
Senior Manager – Protiviti
*See Jose’s bio in the Emerging Leaders Award category.
Michael P. Jamison, CPA, CGMA
President & CEO – OnTarget CPA
Michael started OnTarget CPA firm with two staff members in 2015. His talent acquisition strategy has five key components: to diversify recruitment tactics, explore diversity initiatives, promote from within, develop professionals who do not have an accounting background, and focus on professional development. This comprehensive approach has paid off—he now has 25 full-time staff members, making OnTarget CPA one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
This award is the highest honor given by INCPAS. It recognizes a member who has made major, long-time contributions to the profession, INCPAS or the AICPA during their professional careers.
Benjamin C. Kimmerling, CPA, CGMA
Senior Managing Director – CBIZ Somerset
For more than 20 years, Ben has been helping the CPA profession on both a statewide and national level.
With INCPAS, he served on the Board of Directors from 2003–07 and chaired from 2006–07. He also served on the Finance Committee, Government Relations Advisory Council, Leadership Cabinet, Officer Nominating Committee, Peer Review and Uniform Accountancy Act Exposure Draft Project Team.
With the AICPA, he represented INCPAS as a member of the AICPA Council and was elected by the AICPA to serve as the Indiana delegate for its Governing Council.
CHAIR'S AWARD
Presented by 2021–22 Board Chair Barry Hall, CPA, CGMA
This award is presented by the Board Chair to an individual who has had a profound impact on their career, service on the board or the profession.
 |
|
L–R: Bill Heffelfinger, CPA, CGMA; Barry Hall, CPA, CGMA
|
William D. Heffelfinger, CPA, CGMA
Assurance Partner – Kruggel Lawton CPAs
Bill joined Kruggel Lawton CPAs in 1991 and was elected partner in 1997. He specializes in assurance, tax and consulting services for closely held business in Northern Indiana.
Why Barry presented this award to Bill:
“As I am approaching the twilight of my professional career, there are many who have helped me along the way but none more than Bill. I first met him in 1988, my first day at a new accounting job. Throughout the years, Bill has always been the one I can go to for help or a listening ear. On numerous occasions, he has helped me see a different perspective and shift my initial reactions to ones that would be most helpful to the firm.
I know I am a better CPA, managing partner and person because of Bill’s friendship, counseling and mentoring.”
CHAIR'S AWARD
Presented by 2022–23 Board Chair Diane Sturek, CPA, MAcc
This award is presented by the Board Chair to an individual who has had a profound impact on their career, service on the board or the profession.
 |
|
L–R: Sherrill Rude, CAE; Diane Sturek, CPA, MAcc
|
Sherrill M. Rude, CAE
Vice President of Advocacy – Indiana CPA Society
Sherrill joined the Indiana CPA Society team in 2007 and has been advocating on behalf of members and the CPA profession in Indiana ever since. She is the often first line of defense for issues that members are encountering with state agencies, online portals, proposed legislation and more. She leads members of the INCPAS Advocacy Council, Tax Resource Advisory Council and Government Relations Advisory Committee, as well as special Working Groups as needed. She runs point and collaborates with the Indiana Department of Revenue, IRS, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Indiana Board of Accountancy,
Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and more.
Why Diane presented this award to Sherrill:
“I am honored to choose Sherrill for this prestigious award, as she clearly embodies all the qualifications. During my time on the board of directors of INCPAS, I was able to see Sherrill in action. The many initiatives included 120 hours to sit for the CPA Exam, Employee Retention Credits, Indiana Pass-Through Entity Taxation, and Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements. During these tumultuous times, we all saw how Sherrill responded to member posts to the member network regarding these issues with her characteristic calm and clarity.”
INCPAS SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT
 |
 |
| |
L–R: Ali Tonini, CAE; Malayna Pottschmidt
|
Malana Pottschmidt
INCPAS Scholar Indianapolis 2015–16
Indiana CPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Recipient 2022–23
Graduate Student – Butler University
Tax Associate – RSM US LLP
Malayna joined us at this year’s event for a Q&A with Ali Tonini, CAE, INCPAS Vice President – Pipeline & Outreach. Malayna shared how the INCPAS Scholars program solidified her commitment to accounting and the CPA license, plus her takes on how INCPAS members can successfully build the student pipeline here
in Indiana.
INDIANA CPA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Couldn’t attend this year’s event? You can still help make future CPAs’ aspirations and opportunities align! Support Indiana’s students and programs with a donation.
Donations to the Indiana CPA Educational Foundation are tax-deductible and support student programs, events and scholarships.
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
CANDIDATE AFTER PARTY SPONSOR
THANK YOU TO OUR VIP TIER 1 TABLE SPONSORS