Live Stream: Member Town Hall - CPA Licensure Legislation Update

Kelly Crow, CPA, began her career as an intern with RBG and became one of the firm's first full-time tax staff hires after graduating from Christian Brothers University (CBU). Over her 15 years at RBG, she advanced through roles such as tax senior, manager, senior manager, and now partner. She focuses on compliance, consulting, and planning for various clients, including private clients, real estate partnerships, auto dealerships, nonprofits, private foundations, and employee benefit plans. She also has extensive experience with IRS and state representation.

Kelly is actively involved in TSCPA, serving as the 2024-25 TSCPA Chair. She has also served as President of the Memphis Chapter of TSCPA. At the national level, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and serves on the AICPA Council. In 2019, she was selected for the AICPA Leadership Academy. Locally, Kelly has volunteered with the CBU Alumni Association Board, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and the Greater Memphis Chamber Young Professionals Council.

Kara Fitzgerald is President and CEO of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), the premier professional association for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Tennessee. She is responsible for carrying out the mission of TSCPA and the Educational and Memorial Foundation of TSCPA. Kara works in partnership with the TSCPA Board of Directors and Council to develop and execute the Society's strategic vision, always working to promote, protect and support the CPA profession in Tennessee. Additionally, she works with various committees and represents the membership with various governmental entities, including the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy, the Tennessee Department of Revenue and the Tennessee General Assembly.

An association executive with nearly 25 years of experience, Kara's career in association management began at the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, where she learned the value of a professional membership association. Kara then spent 10 years in various roles at the Tennessee Society of CPAs, most recently as Vice President – Operations, until she was named President and CEO in April 2021. Having spent her early career in public and private accounting, she understands the importance of protecting the CPA profession and maintaining its role as a trusted advisor.

Kara is a licensed CPA in the state of Tennessee and earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, which is the marker of a committed association professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to manage an association in today's challenging environment. She also holds the credential of Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA). Kara is a member of TSCPA, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives.

Kara earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University. She lives in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee with her husband and two children. She enjoys travel and spending time with family.