The Kentucky CPA Journal

KyCPA 100-Year Celebration

2000-2024

ISSUE 4
November 25, 2024

By Kimberly Lindsey

Each 2024 issue of The Kentucky CPA Journal contained historical content in celebration of our 100-year anniversary. This issue wraps up our journey down memory lane and how the Society empowered CPAs in Kentucky throughout the last 100 years. The work, energy and passion that CPA members put forth together as a Society made and continues to greatly impact Kentucky citizens, businesses, legislation and the CPA profession.

In this issue, the focus is the history of the Kentucky Society of CPAs and the CPA profession in Kentucky from 2000 through today. 

• Click here to view the history from 1924-1949.
• Click here to view the history from 1950-1974.
• Click here to view the history from 1975-1999

Kentucky Society of CPAs:
2000-2024 Board Presidents and Chairs

Past President/Chair insights and memories

Several of the past presidents/chairs from 2000-2024 were interviewed and provided these insights and memories:

• "My advice for new people coming into the profession is, yes, you work hard, but it's also a very rewarding profession that gives you the flexibility to spend time with family."
  
  "The biggest issue that I worked on when I was the Board Chair was the transition of Ben Gratzer, our executive director had been there 30 years and that was the year of his retirement. So, I spent a significant amount of time interviewing new candidates and ultimately our board hired Penny go to succeed Ben. As I think back on our transition from Ben to Penny, the advice that I gave Penny, I remembering moving forward is because of all the changes that were occurring in the accounting profession then that we needed to be more involved in the legislative process in Frankfort."  John Hawkins (2002-2003)
• "Regardless of what you do in the CPA profession, becoming a CPA opens up so many doors for you so you're able to continue to build your value. And we learn something new every day. And whether you're a three-year CPA or a 30-year CPA or a 40 year CPA, you continue to be one that brings value to any organization."
  
  "My experience in becoming a CPA and being part of the Kentucky Society of CPAs and the profession for the most part, being part of the Society was volunteer and you feel like you're giving and contributing. But I gained so much more than what I contributed. There is so much I learned from networking, from building leadership skills, from learning how to run a committee, how to network with other CPAs, having a deeper understanding what our professions about, helping even influence in some way, whether it's legislatively or whether it's within, on the national level, on the council. So, I was very fortunate to experience that. But because of that, I've developed so many great relationships and great friends that are CPAs, they're not competitors, they're people I can call on when I need help or vice versa. And we work together more than we compete against each other." David Price (2003-2004)
• "Well, both of my kids are CPAs and so what I told them, it was a great profession. It was a great way to earn a living. It was a great way to be involved in the community. It was a great way to meet all kinds of people and travel and do interesting things. And, I said there's not just one way to be a CPA. I mean public accounting is certainly one way, but industry, I mean, there's endless ways to be involved in the profession and you just got to pick your place and, you've got to realize that you're going to work hard. I didn't shy away from the fact that you got to tell people that you're going to work hard."
  
  "But then it becomes very flexible too, after you've sort of made your mark with your firm or with your company or whatever it is. There's lots of flexibility involved. I mean, my daughter can work from home a couple days a week now." Paula Hanson (2004-2005)
• "I've always wanted to be involved, and I found that my involvement in the profession through things like the KyCPA, the AICPA, NASBA, any of those things has always led to bigger and better things at the firm that I was at because you get an insight that you just don't have if you're not involved."
  
  "You need to think about what doors that having those 3 letters behind your name can open, whether you're going to stay in public accounting, where you're going into industry, where you're going to own your own business, what you learn and develop. Being a CPA will help you through all phases of your life. And if you want to move jobs, you will be able to while having that certificate attached to you." G. Alan Long (2008-2009)
• "When I became a CPA and to this day, it is the best experience. I think whether you just stay in the profession or not, it is the best experience that you can get. So where can you work and work for a number of different industries and clients and size of business. And it gave me the breadth of experiences. And you know, my experiences went all the way from banking to government to foreign. In the end, I was working with our Japanese clients in Kentucky and Indiana and Illinois and, around the surrounding states. So, you know, the profession changes and your career changes along with it." Phillip Gregory (2009-2010)
• "I entered the profession 30 plus years ago and I remember when I took the exam, there were very few women in that exam hall. I took the exam, paper/pencil exam years and years ago in a big exam hall where it was only offered twice a year, and I was one of the few women. And it felt good to to be a leader in the organization, both with the Kentucky Society CPAs and in my profession to let other women know that this was a great career opportunity for them at the time. It also provided flexibility, which I think is what started happening with women in entering into the profession because we were able to get that credential behind us and then be flexible in our career paths. There are so many opportunities for CPAs, various industries outside of public accounting that you can almost choose your own career path. And I think that is very helpful for women who have other obligations outside of the workforce." Mimi Kelly (2010-2011)
• "If a CPA would want to become informed, would want to become engaged into what's taking place in the profession in our country and really globally. Your window, your gateway, your entry point and to what exactly is taking place and to be involved and to be a part of it is through the Kentucky Society of CPAs. And that's been my experience."
  
  "If I want to engage with other practitioners, if I want to see exactly what's taking place in the profession and have a voice and be a part of that, it's through the Kentucky Society of CPAs."
  
  "I think that's probably one of the biggest challenges facing our profession is having students pursue accounting here in the United States in order to think about what the profession actually could mean for a high school student or an early college student and if they might even consider being becoming interested in accounting. And what the profession could offer is first to eliminate the stereotypes."
  
  "You know the stereotypes. You have to be strong in math and actually you don't. You have to know basic math. You have to know algebra, where you back into equations, you need to know percentages, but you don't need to know formulas, calculus, that sort of thing. So that obviously is, I think one of the misunderstandings. The other is that somehow you need to know everything going into the profession where you can develop your career, you can develop your skills and you can sort of become really what you want to make of your career, your profession. And then I would say finally, I think there's probably a low level of awareness about what the upside is on the compensation and what the economics are in this profession if coming out of the gate. I think the salary amounts maybe are competitive, but it's not like high as an entry level position compared to other professions. But mid-term, long term in public accounting and the accounting profession on a whole long term financially is very strong." Stephen Lukinovich (2011-2012)
• "My grandfather graduated from eighth grade, his father died and he had to earn a living and he became a singer and a self-taught accountant. And so accounting always fascinated me from an early age. My grandfather was one of my favorite people and I wanted to see what was accounting was like. And so I took it in high school and I loved it. I got straight A's, I got B's and C's in everything else and I figured out something must be right about accounting." Bill Meyer (2012-2013)
• When speaking about being a member and having the opportunity to be KyCPA Board President, Harry Freibert described his strong connection and the meaning it has in his life.
  
  "I would say not only become a member but join a committee. It's the finest group of folks you're going to be around, I'm just telling you. And so, you get involved and you get to meet all these different CPAs that work in different vocations. And you'll meet lifelong friends with them and if times get tough, and they will on you sometimes, you'll have someone that you can call or that might call you and encourage you and, kind of keep you moving along. So, so it would be, you know, not only join, but boy, get involved. Join a committee that you're interested in, show up at some events and, and enjoy your membership."
  
  "Oh, I could talk about this place. I mean, I didn't grow up with much. So, when you get, not only, when you become a CPA, but I think when you get a chance to lead it, it's a little different. You know, so it's kind of like one of my friends said, you know, it's kind of, it's kind of the lottery of life, you know, when you can, you know, while some other, some of these guys, you know, they grew up and they were in professional households and stuff like that. That's, that's not the way I grew up, you know, so it's just had more of an effect on me, you know." Harry Freibert (2013-2014)
• "I decided to become a CPA because this is really my second career, and I wanted to do something that I could help the restaurant industry because I've been around restaurants my entire life. And so, I had gone back to U of L to get my accounting degree at age 50. I was the oldest person in the class and I wanted to sit for the CPA exam, open a firm that I could service the restaurant industry."
  
  "I wanted to be the chair of the KyCPA so I could help influence the industry, influence the industry in Kentucky, and be more involved in the legislative programs that were or the latest legislative efforts that were going on in Frankfort."
  
  "I think it's extremely important for CPAs to be involved with the KyCPA. They have such a great influence in Frankfort in helping them, helping the legislators understand what is a, what they're doing and how it affects businesses and taxes and that type of thing. Without the KyCPA, there would be a huge gap and in their understanding of what needs to happen or what would be best to happen. I think that's one of the main roles of the KyCPA." Bob Patterson (2015-2016)
• "It was really an honor to be the president of the Kentucky Society. Probably one of the most exciting things was going up to Washington, DC as part of the annual meeting that took place with the AICPA and going to the Hill. That was really, really a lot of fun, something I'd never done before. And it was just really nice talking with our representatives about what was important in the accounting profession and how they could support us."
  
  "What a great time to get into the accounting profession. You know, when we look at all of the changes that are going on, it makes for a very exciting time period. You know, one of the things that Barry Melonson has always said is the pace of change has never been this fast and it'll never be this slow again. And that's what makes the profession very exciting is the fact that it's always changing. There's always something new. There's always something to learn and something to be a part of." Becky Phillips (2018-2019)
• "I was Board President, started in June of 2019, ended June of 2020 and during my term we changed the bylaws of the society. So I was the last President and after me, we now have a Chair of the Board. The President before me realized her practice area was not for profits, and she realized that really our Board structure, corporate structure really was not appropriate. And that the CEO President kind of did the work of the company and the Board Chair needed to do the work of the Board. So it was really Becky Phillips good realization and hard work on behalf of the Society that we just got done. She started during her presidency and then we finished during mine." Elizabeth Woodward (2019-2020)
  
  "The pandemic started in well, it was March, and I remember one of my fondest memories from the pandemic. I went like everyone else in America, went home to work and I remember taking daily walks and talking to Darlene Zibart about the Society and what was going on and what our members were dealing with and what the staff of the Society was dealing with. And we had a lot of business done on those walks."
  
  "It's kind of funny how I decided to become a CPA, I literally flipped a coin. I had been a chemistry major up until my junior year and decided I could not take any more chemistry. So I went in to see my guidance counselor and he said OK, what are we going to do? He said you're good in science, you're good in math, you could be an engineer, you could be a CPA. And we literally flipped a coin. And that's how I got to be an accounting major."
  
  "When I joined the KyCPA, after I got my CPA, I became active. I was on several committees, and I just really enjoyed that community and staying active in the field, especially since I was in the industry. So they asked me to be on the Board. And of course, that's a progression where you start out as treasurer and then vice chair and then president. And I loved all of that. So when my turn came to be Board Chair, I said yes." Esther Thompson-Long (2020-2021)
• "Our profession is uniquely, human relationship, and it is based upon the ability to connect to people and to communicate to people. So while technology changes all around us and generative AI is going to do wonderful things, we hope, and not so wonderful things, we hope not, at the core of our profession will always be the human element. And that will never get replaced. And so I think it will be critical that we keep that at the core as things change around us, which it will always change. That's inevitable. But the human element of our profession will always continue and it will. That will never be automated. That will never be taken away. I don't believe. So, I think that's that's the important part."
  
  "And for students and other people that are looking at the profession and wondering, is accounting right for me? Am I really just a bean counter? Am I really just looking at spreadsheets all day long? The answer is no. You're doing much, much more than that. And the ability to have a technical skill set is critical, yes. The ability to learn always and continuously is equally important. And then the ability to communicate what you know and what you understand to your clients, to your peers, to the staff coming on under you, those are so important elements there is absolutely critical that I think those are unique human traits to be able to learn continuously and communicate that effectively. I think those will be at the heart of the profession. I think they've been at the heart of our profession and I think they will continue to be at the heart of our profession." Eric Scott (2021-2022)
• "I started early in my career working with the society mainly just for educational purposes and growth purposes as a provided me opportunities to grow both professionally as well, you know, from a technical perspective as well as from a personal skills perspective. I was a member of the first Leadership Academy class here at the Society and it was through that education piece that got me enthused at at being involved in the Society. And then I became chair of the Learning and Development CPE Committee at one point in time. And as my committee involvement increased, I was glad to be asked at some point in time to join the Board and then just continued that same path."
  
  "As I was willing to get my hands dirty and roll up my sleeves, more responsibility was was asked of me. And, you know, again, great, great purpose, great mission. And quite honestly, when I started 25 years ago, I had no clue what all the Society had to do in the arena. You know, I didn't understand the advocacy piece and really it wasn't until I became a Board member that I really grew to understand the advocacy for the business community as a whole throughout the entire state that, you know, the Society puts out there and the programs for the students. You know, and that's the resource crisis that, you know, accounting is facing currently today. You know, these programs are integral to the perpetuation of our profession. You know, the Society is at the at the heart of all of these trying to influence and impact and improve these things. And I just wanted to be a part of it." Jim Stevison (2022-2023)
• "Members of organizations like the KyCPA exist, focusing on education, networking and advocacy. Advocacy is one piece that I become passionate about as Chair that I might not have been aware of and involved in in the past. Focusing on pipeline and different policy issues. As we all know, pipeline is a major concern and trying to get talent into our profession."
  
  "My involvement with the KyCPA began my freshman year in college when I participated in the summer education camp that the KyCPA had at that time. Then I became a student member continuously involved in all the initiatives and programs they had. I also was a scholarship recipient several years during college and continue to be passionate about the industry. As a result of receiving scholarships. I wanted to be able to give back to profession as I grew my career. I continued to stay involved with the KyCPA on various task force and committees, eventually being able to join the Board of Directors." Kayla Gremillion (2023-2024)

Click below to watch each of their interviews that include additional insights, their CPA journey and more.

Insights and memories from Olivia Davis 2024-2025 Board Chair 

"I think a lot of people take for granted the roles that CPAs perform in Society, both what we're the only ones qualified to do, such as deliver audits, but also in the ways that we help provide value. And having a professional organization as strong as the Society to go out and share that message and advocate for us with policy makers and other decision makers throughout the state and the country is really important. I think I come at this at a slightly unique angle because I am a CPA and I also teach accounting in order to help prepare the next generation of CPAs".

"What you may not know is that students are actually able to be members of KyCPA and the student members are able to access a number of exceptional opportunities that contribute to both their professional growth, but also to make important connections that help them stay on the path to become CPAs." Olivia Davis (2024-2025)

The Kentucky CPA

July 1999

Introducing your new news source, "The Kentucky CPA"

Board approved UAA action for the 2000 General Assembly, some major features of the legislation included streamlining the process for CPAs from outside the state to enter the state to practice and allowing CPAs to use their professional designation regardless of where or for whom they work.

December 1999

More than 10 percent of large firm partners are women

Addition of a Leadership Council (LC) to provide input to the Board on matters affecting the Society and the profession in Kentucky, to help identify future Society leaders from all areas of the state, and to provide individual members, through LC members from their area, to have a voice in these decisions.

October 2000

Board President Gwen Tilton informs the membership regarding the June 27, 2000, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved issuance of a rule and if adopted, the changes in seven principal areas that would be implemented:

1. Financial relationships
2. Employment relationships
3. Business relationships
4. Scope of services
5. Contingent fees
6. Quality control standards
7. Proxy disclosure requirements for public companies

April 2001

Assurance services - Transforming the quality of information

Governor appoints Joyce M. Smith, CPA and John W. Clay, CPA, to a four-year term on the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy.

August 2001

Solving the CPA staffing crisis
Recommendations included the following and may be helpful to the current staffing challenges:

• Make sure salaries are competitive.
• Offer comp time, bonuses, dependent medical (even if employees share the cost), and incentive pay.
• Provide up-to-date tools and technologies to help employees work more efficiently.
• Conduct roundtable discus­sions or survey employees on priorities, work/life balance, benefits and satisfaction levels.
• Hold regular staff meetings.
• Encourage or start a mentor program.
• Ask employees for ideas on how the firm can be more efficient, profitable and growth-oriented.
• Recognize talented employees ­verbally or with awards, gifts or non­monetary incentives.
• Encourage employees to own their work, clients and projects-don't micromanage.
• Provide a comfortable office environment.
• Assign work that motivates employees to stretch intellectually, professionally and personally. 

kycpa.org the magazine

July 2003

KSCPA faces the future

Ben Gratzer retires as Executive Director of the Kentucky Society of CPAs and Penny Gold becomes the third Executive Director. 

The Kentucky CPA

August 2003

Thank you letter from Ben Gratzer

Education Center renamed in honor of Ben Gratzer

The Kentucky CPA Journal

Spring 2006

New Society logo: A fresh new look

New logos are not born; they are created.

More than aesthetics, color brings meaning to design. Here's what the
color choices tell us.

Blue represents: authority, dignity, security, faithful­ness, heritage, corporate stability and trust

Yellow represents: youth, positive feelings, sunshine, refinement and caution

Summer 2007

Paving the Way: Educational Foundation Campaign

New high school accounting curriculum paves the way for tomorrow's CPAs

2007 scholarship winners: The Foundation awarded a total of $44,500 in scholarships - the most ever - to college students studying accounting on behalf of the Foundation and other benefactors, plus another $15,000 in CPA exam review grants.

Q&A with KyCPA President Lee Groza: "One of the biggest issues we need to address, and one we can directly impact, is the CPA pipeline issue (licensing and student recruitment)."

Issue 5 2013

The rewards of giving

"It’s important to be good stewards of our possessions, especially being that we are CPAs. Such stewardship includes cheerful giving of our time, talents and treasures. So, don’t be afraid to give outside your comfort zone. Remember, it’s like taking a medical shot: it might sting, but you’ll feel better after doing so." - Harry Freibert, CPA (2013-2014 KyCPA President)

Issue 2 2014

90-year anniversary: Stronger together for 90 years

Updated guidance on Peer Review scope: Effective April 1, 2014, the AICPA/KyCPA Peer Review Program implemented updated non-cooperation guidance for when a firm omits, withholds, or misrepresents information about its accounting and auditing practice. The changes are in response to recent evidence indicating that some firms are not including all engagements in the scope of peer review. 

Issue 4 2015

Gratzer Education Center Renovation

On Sept. 21, 1995, a gathering of the Society’s past presidents, Board members, committee chairs and guests held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the Society’s new headquarters on Alliant Avenue in Louisville. 

Nearly 20 years later, on June 4, members, friends, staff and leadership gathered for another celebration at that location: a Renovation Celebration. 

The lower level, known as the Gratzer Education Center - after Ben Gratzer (1938-2011), who was KyCPA’s executive director from 1972 to 2003 - underwent extensive renovation. Major technological upgrades were installed, along with changes in flow and functions so the space operates much more efficiently for members’ educational needs. 

Issue 5 2017

Penny Gold retires as CEO of the Kentucky Society of CPAs and Darlene Zibart, CPA, takes over having served as the Society's CFO and Operations Manager.

Issue 3 2018

Guidance for the changing landscape of Kentucky businesses:

• Kentucky tax reform
• Disruption in the energy market
• Economic outlook
• Considerations for Kentucky accountants: EU GDPR and upcoming US privacy law

Check out the new kycpa.org website! 

38 students from 14 colleges and universities completed the Society's College Leadership Institute.

Issue 3 2019

22 students from 14 colleges and universities completed the Society's College Leadership Institute.

Q&A: KyCPA President Elizabeth Woodward
What is a significant issue facing Kentucky CPAs? "The legislative issues debated in Frankfort all seem to involve fiscal policy and responsibility. Through our educational and professional knowledge, I think we have an obligation to help inform the dialogue." Elizabeth Woodward, CPA (2019-2020 KyCPA President)

Issue 2 2020

COVID-19: In like a lamb, out like a lion

"Stronger together: When the Society staff left the office on March 17, we were optimistic that we would return on April 5. Now we’re not sure when we will be able to return. The coronavirus has caused so much uncertainty, angst and anxiety. We are in this together and are stronger together. The Society staff will continue working on your behalf, doing everything we can to empower you to serve your clients/customers and employers at the highest level." Darlene Zibart, CPA, KyCPA CEO

June 29, 2020: A video message from KyCPA staff to KyCPA members during the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic.

Issue 4 2020

Leading virtual accounting teams

Issue 3 2021

Black CPA Centennial Celebration
History of Kentucky's first Black CPAs

Issue 3 2022

First Annual Members Meeting in person since June 2019!

5 tips for leading a hybrid workforce

Issue 5 2023

Kick-off to the 100-year anniversary celebration and the $100 for 100-Years Campaign!