From FICPA Communications Staff Reports

The FICPA's eight-member Executive Committee (EC) is comprised of FICPA Board Chair Scott Price, Chair-elect Kenneth Strauss and five directors. FICPA President/CEO Deborah Curry serves as secretary-treasurer and non-voting EC member. Together, the Committee implements the Board of Governors' policies and oversees the Institute's activities.

Each year, Florida CPA Today profiles the committee's directors and asks them to share their thoughts on current issues and making a difference through FICPA volunteerism.

Here is some information about each member of the 2012-2013 Executive Committee.

---

Jeffrey Barbacci

Jeffrey E. "Jeff" Barbacci is a shareholder and director of audit with Thomas Howell Ferguson in Tallahassee. He has been with the firm for more than 17 years and specializes in not-for-profit and government auditing and consulting.

 

Barbacci has been involved in FICPA leadership for more than 11 years, and is serving his ninth term on the FICPA Board of Governors. He is a past chair of the State Legislative Policy Committee; was the first chair of the Young CPAs Committee; and helped transition the State & Local Government Committee to its current Section structure. Barbacci also is a regular FICPA speaker on topics such as internal controls; government accounting and auditing; and board responsibilities.

Barbacci lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Emily, and their sons, Dominic and Anthony.

How would you like to see the FICPA develop and grow during the next year, and in future years?
I’d like to see the FICPA grow to become a primary resource for its members, in public practice and in private industry. Continuing education is one of our biggest member services. Hopefully, our members believe we’ve a done a good job matching delivery formats and course topics with current economic and business challenges. This year’s Mega Conference is our latest attempt to offer creative education opportunities, at great locations and affordable prices.

I’d also like to see us think outside the box to provide new member services that make doing business as a CPA in Florida easier. During the last year, we’ve talked with many of our members and identified several potential ideas. I look forward to seeing some of those come to fruition.

When you’re not practicing accounting, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m very competitive, so most of what I do outside of work is sports related. Since our kids came along, I’ve narrowed my own sports activity to golf only. Wolf is my game of choice (with added rules awarded for birdies and greenies), and I’m continually striving to get my handicap down to the low single digits. As my sons have gotten older, I’ve really enjoyed teaching them a range of sports, and helping to coach their teams whenever I can. During the summer, our family will be working on our fishing skills and will relax a little on the beach. In the fall, we’ll be camping with the Boy Scouts and playing flag football.

---

Bethany Carr

Bethany B. Carr is a manager for Cavanaugh & Co., LLP in Sarasota. She began her career as an auditor for governmental, non-profit and small-business clients but has transitioned to taxation, providing tax services for individuals, corporations, partnerships and trusts.
Carr began her FICPA service in 2004 as a member of the Young CPAs Committee and as a trustee for the FICPA Educational Foundation. Currently, Carr is serving her fifth term on the FICPA Board of Governors. She also has served on various FICPA committees and has chaired the Audit Committee and Women’s Leadership Committee. In 2008, Carr was named one of CPA Technology Advisor’s 40 Under 40. She is the current treasurer of Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay and the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation, and a graduate of Leadership Sarasota County.

 

Carr lives in Parrish with her husband, Nathan, and their son, Austin.

What have you found to be the most challenging aspects of being a Florida CPA in today’s business climate?
One of the most challenging aspects of being a Florida CPA in today’s business climate is work-life balance. In this fast-paced, technology-driven society where we’re constantly connected, it can be difficult to leave work at work – especially when you get email at all hours of the day and night. It can be hard to unplug and create time for yourself and your family. As the mother of a young child, I find that I must be creative with my time to achieve a healthy balance between work and family.

Why is protecting the CPA franchise a critical issue and what role does the FICPA play in that?
The CPA license allows us to do what we do. It creates expertise and gives clients the confidence to trust us with their finances. If we don’t protect the CPA franchise, we open ourselves up to a second tier of licensure that would severely diminish the value of the CPA designation. The general public wouldn’t understand the difference – and obtaining services from someone who isn’t licensed, and may not have the expertise to provide the appropriate assistance, could be damaging. We must protect the CPA franchise to protect ourselves, our clients and the public.

---

Joey Epstein

As a director for McGladrey, Joey Epstein provides accounting, tax and consulting advice to law firms and other professional-service organizations, as well as other closely-held entities. His other primary responsibility is business development for the firm in South Florida. He has handled income- and sales-tax audits and has assisted clients with exit strategies. He is certified in Florida sales and use tax and holds a Health and Life, including Variable Annuity Insurance License from the State of Florida.

 

Epstein, an AICPA member, serves on the Florida CPA/PAC Board of Trustees and is serving his fifth term on the FICPA Board of Governors. He has served on the FICPA State Legislative Policy Committee for 20 years and has chaired it several times. Epstein is a Board member and treasurer of Business for the Arts of Broward. He also serves on the Audit Committee of the North Broward Hospital District; as treasurer and a Board member of ChildNet; as vice chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Florida; and as co-chair of Broward Days. He also holds volunteer positions with several other philanthropic organizations.

He and his wife, Kip, reside in Fort Lauderdale.

Why is protecting the CPA franchise a critical issue and what role does the FICPA play in that?
Our CPA license is what sets us apart from any other "accountant," tax preparer, enrolled agent, bookkeeper and so on. We are the only ones who can provide assurance services. I believe the public still views us as the most trusted advisors, and that’s because our license separates us from everyone else. The FICPA plays the most critical role in the process. The Institute is our eyes and ears in Tallahassee, keeping tabs on any and all legislation that affects us. It also initiates legislation that is important and critical to us. Our members still don’t totally recognize what the FICPA is doing for them in this area, and we have to continue to educate them.

Why are you involved in the FICPA, and why do you think other members should be as well?
FICPA involvement is a way to give back to the profession that has been very good to me. I’m involved in numerous charitable and civic activities, but through the FICPA, I can provide input into and facilitate our profession’s ongoing success in Florida. We need the participation of many more of our members, so we can continue to provide services and advocacy to them and on their behalf.

---

Marshall Gunn Jr.

Marshall D. Gunn Jr. is president of Gunn & Company, PA, CPAs and Gunn & Company Investment Management Inc. He provides consulting, financial and tax-planning services to individuals, businesses, retirement plans, foundations and trusts.

 

CPA Magazine listed Gunn as one of the 100 most influential CPAs in America and one of the seven most influential CPA/Financial Planners in America. He is the author of The Money of Love and Take Charge of Your Financial Life! A frequent guest speaker for various CPA societies and professional associations, Gunn has been quoted on TV and radio and in print media. He also is a frequent guest of the television show First Coast Living, where he provides expert tax and financial advice.

Gunn has served as chairman of the Florida Board of Accountancy and of the FICPA Investment Policy and Personal Financial Planning committees. He serves on numerous not-for-profit or charitable foundation boards, including FreshMinistries Inc. and Give Kids the World Village.

Gunn frequently is called upon as an expert witness. His areas of testimony include business valuation, investment suitability, investment value and various business issues.

Gunn and his wife, Kathy, live in Jacksonville.

What advice do you have for FICPA members who wish to attain a leadership position at the FICPA.
How do they get started?
Fortunately, there’s no secret to the formula – simply volunteer and be active. Everyone has some skill or expertise on which the Institute could capitalize. Start by letting people in leadership positions know about your interest. Sign up for a committee that would best use your skill or area of interest. Get involved with a committee or your local chapter and participate. The more other members get to know your passion for contributing, the faster they’ll call on you to help. There are never too many contributors to the Institute’s continued success!

Tell us about a lesson you’ve learned and still keep with you today.
When I was in high school, I asked my basketball coach why he kept me on the team (if you know me, you know it wasn’t for my athletic body or prowess!). He told me it was because I didn’t know how to quit. As a result, I owe much of my success in life to simply continuing to pursue my passions, and encouraging those around me to do the same. I’ve met many very successful people during my career, and perseverance and a passion for their endeavors is a very common trait.

---

Kenneth "Ken" Strauss

FICPA Chair-elect Kenneth J. Strauss is director of taxation and personal financial strategies for Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants in Fort Lauderdale. He is a member of the AICPA and a former president of the Financial Planning Association. He is serving his 12th term on the FICPA Board of Governors.

 

Strauss is past chair of the FICPA’s Financial Literacy Committee and Finance and Office Advisory Committee. Currently, he serves on the FICPA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, and on numerous other FICPA committees and sections.

What are your thoughts about the AICPA’s new Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation? Do you think it will change the CPA profession, and if so, how?
I’m excited about the CGMA designation. I believe it gives credibility to in-house accounting staff members who manage teams. Ultimately, it should help us increase membership. A broader membership base will give us better networking opportunities and create situations where we can learn from one another and work together.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a 20-year-old?
Something I wish I knew when I was 20 is that risks are worth the effort. It took me a while to learn how important leadership is in a person’s career. So many of us spend our first few years with our heads down, learning technical skills. Like many others, I didn’t start looking broadly at my career until later.

Soft skills matter. I would recommend Toastmasters and volunteering as ways to hone important skills and develop relationships while building a career.

---

James "Jim" Thielen

Jim Thielen is a Partner with Thielen + Tax and Business Consulting in Tallahassee. Thielen is a former chairman of the Florida Board of Accountancy, serving from 2003 to May 2007.

 

Since 1999, Thielen has served several terms on the FICPA Executive Committee and Board of Governors, as well as a three-year term on the Finance and Office Advisory Committee. He served as president of the Tallahassee Chapter from 1998 to 1999 and as regional vice president for two terms ending in 2001. Thielen is serving his fifth term on the FICPA Board of Governors.

Thielen has served as a trustee for the Florida CPA/Political Action Committee (PAC)-North since 2001 and as president of the North PAC since 2009. He also is a member of AICPA Council, representing Florida for a three-year term.

Thielen and his wife, Beth, live in Tallahassee with their sons, James and Patrick.

Why is protecting the CPA franchise a critical issue, and what role does the FICPA play in that?
Our CPA license is the franchise from which we earn a living. It is what sets us apart from so many individuals and businesses that attempt to imitate our profession and the integrity that is inherent in being a CPA. They seek to capitalize on our brand by minimizing it. Equally important, our license constantly is under regulatory attack. These attacks may include sales tax on services; government streamlining efforts that could compromise our Board of Accountancy; or fellow CPAs who perform substandard service and wish to prohibit the progress of mandatory peer review. So many issues go before our advocacy team during each Florida legislative session. Moreover, our staff monitors the national and global impact of issues the profession faces. The most significant are the ongoing Big GAAP versus Little GAAP debate, the new CGMA certification, IFRS – and the list goes on. Our role as leadership, and the role of the FICPA, is to protect the CPA license as we navigate the local, federal and global environment.

How would you like to see the FICPA develop and grow during the next year, and in future years?
I envision the Institute developing the Mega Conference into a three-conference scenario with events that capitalize on the strengths of our beautiful state and its beaches. Understanding that our CPE offerings subsidize our membership dues, I would make Florida the CPE destination of the country – and in so doing, bring revenue to our clients.

Another major item is that our profession is aging. We must bring in our younger members and mentor them to lead our profession. I encourage all to reach out to your Board of Governors or FICPA staff and get involved in the Young CPAs Committee.