Technology Conference

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the "Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology" by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 48 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group's Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor's degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.

At age 10, Stephen began working with technology; he started his first IT company at just 13, which focused on designing web applications for local businesses. At 15, he began writing original computer code and has been designing and implementing technological solutions continuously since then.

Stephen is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, with degrees in Accountancy and International Business. While at Loyola, he served the campus as student body president and as the student representative to the Board of Trustees. He has a Master's of Science degree in Information Systems and Technology from Claremont Graduate University with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems.

In 2017, Stephen formed Devmatics, a software development company that focuses on solving problems through the implementation of technology. Devmatics builds custom software, mobile apps, integration solutions, workflow automation, and more for all types of organizations. He specializes in taking on high-difficulty, mission-critical organizational issues that require technical expertise and an ability to find solutions to problems that no one else can answer. With all of his clients, he emphasizes the need to embrace technology at every opportunity and utilize the latest technological trends and breakthroughs to gain a competitive advantage while increasing efficiency and productivity.

Before starting Devmatics, Stephen worked as an accountant in his family's practice, Yoss & Allen. At Yoss & Allen, he completely redesigned the firm's technology practices and instituted a technological infrastructure to streamline the firm's practices and allow them strategic flexibility. Many of the technologies, strategies, and concepts that Stephen uses himself (and consults companies on how to use) were designed, perfected, and implemented to help his family's business and their clients. In addition to his time with Yoss & Allen, Stephen worked in New Zealand as a management accountant.

Since 2009, Stephen has also been teaching continuing professional education, providing written, webcast, in-house, and live instruction. He has presented to thousands of practitioners worldwide on topics such as cloud computing, mobile technology, Excel tips and best practices, data modeling and analysis, big data, information security, identity theft prevention, and more.

Stephen is also a professionally licensed pyrotechnician and works on major fireworks displays throughout the nation for Pyro Spectaculars, North America's largest full-service fireworks display production company. He's proud to have helped produce incredible displays, including the Macy's July 4th Spectacular in New York City, the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, KGB Skyshow in San Diego, and many more.

Whether it's teaching in the classroom, consulting clients in a boardroom, or shooting a fireworks display, Stephen brings passion, hard work, value—and above all else—technological expertise to each of his clients. With an open, honest approach, he creates a unique strategy for each client specifically designed to benefit their needs and streamline their operations to create efficiency and maximize their financial potential.

Stephen calls Big Bear City, CA, home; when he's not at the desk, in a boardroom, at the podium, or producing a fireworks display, he spends as much time as he can pursuing his other passions. He is an avid music lover and attends multiple festivals each year. At the Burning Man, Stephen helps setup and produce pyrotechnic displays for the city. In Big Bear City, he regularly volunteers his time to perform various community services. He's also an avid outdoorsman and regularly carves out time to scuba dive, camp, hike, and photograph both close to home with family and friends and on his many travels.

Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.

He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.

Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.