A professor and two accounting graduates from the Byrum School of Business will be honored during the Indiana CPA Society (INCPAS) 2019 CPA Celebration on May 10. The awards banquet and ceremony will be held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Associate Professor of Accounting Kevin Huston is being presented with the Innovation Award, which was established to recognize a transformative individual or firm implementing "unique, forward-thinking activities to address future issues and needs."
Huston led a group of 15 business students who produced a comprehensive report on Marian University following American Institute of CPA's International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) guidelines.
- The project was part of Huston's ACC 480 class, a special topics course open to accounting and other business majors at Marian.
- The team explored the university's governance, business model, operational environment, growth strategy and opportunities, resource allocation, performance, and outlook for the future. They presented their final report to the university's Board of Trustees and finance committee earlier this year.
- According to Huston, IIRC initiatives have primarily focused on the corporate sector in the U.S. Huston believes the team's report may be among the first of its kind for an American university. The students will present their work during a 75-minute session at an INCPAS educators conference in May.
David W. and Suzanne M. Lemler, owners of the Lemler Group accounting firm and graduates of Marian University, will be recognized with the CPA Center of Excellence Award.
Firms recognized as CPA Centers of Excellence are dedicated to the professional development of their personnel in order to help the firm to become more agile, adaptive, and dynamic in today's rapidly changing business environment.
This award recognizes an individual or firm that embodies "excellence through collaboration, development of business and soft skills (including strong critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and leadership), and a competency-based approach to lifelong learning."
The Lemler Group currently employs four Marian University graduates, although that number will soon grow to five. The firm has hired intern and accounting major Mariana Lovera, who graduates May 4, to serve as a a full-time staff auditor starting in June. David and Suzanne graduated from Marian in 1997.
Audit Manager Michael Barton of Petrow Kane Leemhuis, a 2014 graduate of Marian with degrees in accounting and marketing, will be recognized with the INCPAS Advocacy Award. The honor is awarded each year to an Indiana CPA who has demonstrated excellence in serving the profession, public interest, company, and community.
Specifically, the Advocacy Award recognizes one CPA each year who has made significant contributions to INCPAS legislative and/or regulatory initiatives.
Barton, who provides audit and attestation services and assists with tax and accounting projects for individual, nonprofit, and privately-held business clients, was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb to serve on the Indiana Board of Accountancy in 2017, where he helps regulate the work of CPAs across the state.
“The role CPAs play in business continues to grow and require new skillsets,” explains Jennifer Briggs, president and CEO of INCPAS. “These individuals stand out for thriving in a rapidly changing profession and being dedicated to their companies, clients, and community. We look forward to recognizing them at this year’s celebration.”
For more information about the Byrum School of Business and its academic programs, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at (317) 955-6300, (800) 772-7264, or admissions@marian.edu.