2024 Accounting and Auditing Conference Bundle

Thomas E. Newell, Jr. (Tom) is a shareholder in the firm of Newell & Newell, P.C., which is located in Columbus, GA. Tom started the firm with his wife, Silvia Newell, CPA in 1986. Prior to that, his public accounting experience included both local firms and international firms.

Tom has performed hundreds of peer reviews and has been involved with the peer review program since 1989. Tom served on the Georgia Society (GSCPA) peer review committees from 1989 to 1993. In 1993, he was selected to be one of the technical reviewers for the Georgia Society Peer Review Program and served for nine years. During his time as technical reviewer, Tom worked with the GSCPA to move the peer review committee from in-person to online meetings. Tom has also served several years on the accounting and auditing committee at the Georgia Society.

Tom has been a presenter at conferences and CPE courses for over 30 years. He has been a frequent presenter for the Georgia Society of CPAs at the Southeastern Accounting Show, Tax Forum (A&A topics), and the Accounting Institute. Tom is also a discussion leader for various continuing education courses on A&A topics for other state societies. He has made presentations at Fortune 500 companies and several government agencies on accounting and auditing, internal controls, and cybersecurity. As a presenter, Tom has been described as a dynamic speaker who is able to take a boring topic (accounting and auditing) and make it interesting.

He was awarded the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award in 2015, 2016, and 2018, as a result of these skills. Tom was recognized in 2018 by the AICPA as an Outstanding Facilitator for his consistently high evaluations of knowledge and presentation skills. As the world of presentations has been changing, Tom has been a champion of moving to virtual presentations. He was involved in the early years of simulcasting by various state CPA societies, as well as the recording of video and audio self-study courses. Tom is now prepared for the next wave of change toward the totally virtual classroom that simulates a true live classroom experience.

Tom graduated cum laude from Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, GA in 1980.

Jason Carney, CPA, CISA, PMP, CISSP, CCSP, Esq., is a senior manager at ABS, Inc., a boutique consulting firm based in the Washington, DC metro specializing in complex accounting issues. He is also the principal for IRS Problem Free, a tax resolution service. He has more than 15 years of experience in public accounting, consulting, and industry. His specialties include technical accounting, financial statement audit, information security, and tax controversy. Jason has worked in the financial services, software, and federal finance sectors.

Jason has taught more than 100 CPE courses for audiences across the country. He has been consistently well-received and specializes in adapting content for the unique needs of each audience. He believes that relevant and engaging training is essential for career development and business success. Jason is a member of the Minnesota Society of CPAs and was a President's Scholar at the University of Saint Thomas Law School. He is a member of the Minnesota Bar and holds CPA licenses in five jurisdictions. He is Treasurer for Fort Safety, a non-profit focused on keeping families and children safe online. He wrote "What is Business Intelligence and Why Should CPAs Care?" for Footnote magazine and contributed to the upcoming publication What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Client Trust Accounts.