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Lee Ann Watters’ 2025–2026 term as KyCPA Board Chair
Lee Ann Watters concluded her term as Board Chair of the Kentucky Society of CPAs on June 30, 2026, following a year focused on strengthening the accounting pipeline, delivering value to members and advancing the profession through advocacy.
When Watters began her term in July 2025, one of her priorities was increasing awareness of accounting as a dynamic, technology-driven and rewarding profession. Throughout the year, KyCPA made meaningful progress toward that goal.
Strengthening the accounting pipeline
At the national level, KyCPA joined all 54 state CPA societies in supporting the bipartisan Accounting STEM Pursuit Act. The legislation would recognize accounting as a STEM pathway and allow existing federal STEM-focused K–12 funding to support accounting education and awareness.
Accounting continues to evolve through technology, data analytics, automation and artificial intelligence. Recognizing accounting as STEM can help students, parents, educators and policymakers better understand the opportunities available within today’s profession.
Closer to home, KyCPA intensified its efforts to include accounting within Kentucky’s STEM initiatives. While additional work remains, the Society helped elevate the conversation, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and build momentum around the importance of promoting accounting careers.
Delivering value to members
Membership growth and retention were also priorities throughout Watters’ term. KyCPA focused on providing value to members working in public practice, industry, government, education and nonprofit organizations.
One of the year’s most successful initiatives was the Society’s first-ever Members-Only Mega CPE Day. Held August 14, 2025, the event offered seven hours of complimentary CPE exclusively for members, with 344 members participating.
The strong response demonstrated the value members place on professional development and the importance of opportunities to connect with fellow members. The success of the inaugural event led KyCPA to continue the program into the following year.
Advocacy in action
Advocacy was another significant focus during Watters’ year as Chair.
KyCPA partnered with the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy to support legislation establishing a third pathway into the accounting profession. The legislation was approved by the General Assembly and governor, with the new law scheduled to take effect July 16, 2026.
KyCPA also collaborated with the Kentucky League of Cities, the Kentucky Chapter of Government Finance Officers Association and the Auditor of Public Accounts to develop legislation providing audit relief for Kentucky’s smallest cities. The legislation allows qualifying cities to elect to use an agreed-upon procedures engagement in lieu of an audit while creating opportunities for CPAs to serve in that capacity.
Watters credited the Society’s advocacy team with effectively educating members of the relevant legislative committees about both measures.
A year of connection and service
Throughout her term, Watters also emphasized the importance of member engagement and the professional relationships fostered through KyCPA.
Serving as Chair gave her the opportunity to meet members she had not previously known and strengthen relationships throughout the profession. She encouraged members to remain involved with the Society and take advantage of opportunities to connect, serve and contribute.
“Serving as your Board Chair has been an incredible honor,” Watters said as she reflected on her year of service.
She expressed her gratitude to KyCPA members, volunteers, fellow Board members and staff, noting that the accomplishments of the past year were made possible through their collective commitment to the Society and the accounting profession.
That spirit of service was also recognized during the 2026 Annual Membership Meeting as Jon Harville, Justin Alexander and Olivia Davis concluded their terms on the KyCPA Board. The Society thanked all three for the time, leadership and dedication they brought to the Board and for their contributions to KyCPA and the accounting profession. Harville was recognized in person at the meeting, while Alexander and Davis were unable to attend.
Their service, along with that of KyCPA’s many volunteers and engaged members, reflects the commitment that continues to move the Society and the profession forward.
With Watters’ term concluding June 30, her year as Board Chair leaves KyCPA with continued momentum in advocacy, member engagement and efforts to strengthen the future of the profession.
Author: Kimberly Lindsey(opens in new tab), Editor of The Kentucky CPA Journal