TSCPA Council, the governing body of the society, met for its interim meeting on Nov. 7, 2024, at the TSCPA office. Council is composed of the board of directors, the president of each chapter, 60 delegates elected by TSCPA chapters and all past chairs of TSCPA. All members of the society are entitled to attend meetings of council, which generally occur twice per year and are announced in advance.
The meeting included routine business such as approval of minutes, financial reports, and reports from committees and chapters, as well as the following highlights.
TSCPA Treasurer Richard Hill presented the proposed operating budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year as well as proposed state society and chapter dues, all of which were approved as presented and will take effect on April 1, 2025.
Mandy Young, TSCPA’s lobbyist with Butler Snow, presented an update on legislative and regulatory matters impacting the profession and the business environment in Tennessee.
Tennessee State Board of Accountancy Member John Griesbeck provided an update on behalf of the board, including an introduction of the incoming executive director, Gin Binkley. Additional items of note included notice of CPE requirement extensions for licensees residing in counties declared federal disaster areas following Hurricane Helene, recent rule changes approved by the board that extend the window of time provided for CPA Exam candidates to successfully complete all sections of the Uniform CPA Exam from 18 months from Exam start date to 30 months, updated language in peer review rules, and updates to contractor license renewal requirements relevant to members who provide attest functions for them. Griesbeck shared an update on the board’s 2024 CPE audit, noting a 90% compliance rate. In closing, he shared updates from NASBA, including two exposure drafts out for comment, one related to a competency-based pathway to CPA licensure and the other pertaining to Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) updates.
Moving into TSCPA business, chair Kelly Crow presented an update on behalf of the board of directors and Educational & Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees. Crow shared updates on the 2025-2028 strategic plan, which the board began planning for in August. As part of this process, the board examined critical success factors for the society such as membership statistics, the vision and mission statements, marketplace challenges, and areas of emphasis and de-emphasis. More information on strategic plan priority areas will be shared at the June council meeting and in TSCPA publications.
Crow provided updates related to Educational & Memorial Foundation activities, most notably the $280,000 awarded to 128 accounting students. Additionally, she shared that TSCPA’s CPE program is experiencing significant growth in On Demand offerings as well as success in specialty in-person events.
Chair-elect Heather Batson delivered an update from the AICPA Fall Council meeting, noting several themes, such as emerging technology and generative AI, regulatory and tax possibilities, workforce development/talent, and data reflective of the priorities of firms and corporate accounting teams across the country.
Past chair Jonathan Bailey recognized David Morgan as a recipient of the TSCPApex Lifetime Achievement Award, given in recognition of his significant contributions to the profession in Tennessee. Apex Award recipients were previously recognized during the 93rd Annual Convention in June; however, Morgan was unable to attend and was therefore recognized during this meeting.
For the final agenda item, TSCPA President/CEO Kara Fitzgerald provided an update on workforce and talent issues impacting the profession, including an overview of themes identified in the National Pipeline Advisory Group’s (NPAG) Accounting Talent Strategy Report, an overview of NASBA’s CPA Competency-Based Experience Pathway and proposed UAA changes exposure drafts, and the development and expectations of TSCPA’s Human Capital Task Force. She closed her presentation by encouraging attendees to take the Pipeline Pledge and read the NPAG’s strategy report, which are both accessible at www.accountingpipeline.org.
The next meeting of council will take place on June 10, 2025, at The Westin Chattanooga.
This article was originally published in the January/February 2025 Tennessee CPA Journal.
