Note: Our spring CPA IN Perspective magazine is digital — keep an eye out for new articles in our upcoming communications.

INCPAS is pleased to introduce four new members to its board. Three are CPAs, and one is a public member who will lend her perspective as an outside business professional. Below is a brief background about each new member, as well as their insight on different aspects of the INCPAS strategic plan and rapidly changing role of the CPA.

Douglas C. Fahrnow, CPA, CGMA
INCPAS member since 2000

Fahrnow is a partner in charge of assurance services for Somerset CPAs, PC, where he has been since 1999 and has served as a member of its board since 2010. He previously served as chairman of operations and worked in the audit department of PwC, LLP, before joining Somerset. He graduated from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington in 1994 with a degree in accounting. He previously served on a variety of not-for-profit boards and committees, most recently the United Way of Central Indiana’s audit and finance committee.

How has your firm adopted emerging technologies?

As many other firms during COVID-19, we are working remotely and our recent investment in Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Zoom and Ring Central have been critical in our ability to provide employees with an effective means of communication while working in a completely different environment than we have in the past. Not only does the technology allow us to deal with the current remote working situation, but it also puts us in a position to change the way we do things going forward. Utilization of the technology will not cease after we begin returning to “normalcy”—it will play a crucial role in our ability to execute our long-term remote work for employees well past COVID-19.

Jacob T. Buehler, CPA
INCPAS member since 2006

Buehler is a member at Dauby O’Connor & Zaleski, LLC, where he has been since 2006. Prior, he was with EY and Arthur Andersen. He graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in accounting in 2000.

What is a role/responsibility you have in your organization that you never expected?

At my firm, I am in charge of our training program. When I was in college and then even as a younger staff person, I would have never expected I would be in charge of our learning program. I used to think "I am a CPA, not a teacher!" As I have progressed through my career in public accounting, I have found that there are many more tasks that go into being a CPA than "crunching the numbers."

Kyle A. Simmerman, CPA
INCPAS member since 1998

Simmerman currently serves as managing partner at BGBC Partners, LLP, where he has been since 2009. Prior, he was a state tax manager at EY and began his career at BKD, LLP. He graduated from Butler University (B.S. Accounting) and Vincennes University (A.D. Business Administration). He has served on the INCPAS Advocacy Task Force, CPA Advocates and Tax Resource Advisory Council.

What is your organization doing to advance diversity and inclusion in the profession?

At BGBC, we believe strongly in an inclusive and diverse work environment and are committed to making progress. By participating in the INCPAS Scholars program, we are able to support the CPA profession and our goals of creating a more inclusive and diverse organization. We welcome young students from a variety of backgrounds into the office and serve as mentors for them. Building a culture that embraces everyone, providing a robust coaching program and maximizing the opportunities our differences provide for our team members makes us a better firm every day.

Mandy M. Parris
Public Member

Parris is an executive director in middle market commercial banking at JPMorgan Chase, where she began her career in 2002. She graduated from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a degree in finance. She was named to IBJ’s “Forty Under 40,” JPMorgan Chase’s Good Works “Volunteer of the Year in Indiana,” and a Junior Achievement of Central Indiana’s “Best & Brightest” finalist. She currently serves as president and founding board member of Circle City Prep, is immediate past president and founding board member of Executive Women in Finance, was board treasurer of Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis and participated in Class XL of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.

What skill sets do you expect from a modern CPA?

Today’s CPA needs to have a keen knowledge of the changing technological landscape. They need to understand the impact of AI and data analytics on their role and the teams they might work with on a day-to-day basis.