The CPE Committee of 16 is essential in ensuring that SCACPA provides the continuing education that members want. The team is responsible for defining, documenting and identifying sessions and instructors for future CPE planning.

The Committee was charged with designing the initial three-year CPE schedule with an “80%/20%” philosophy. That means the majority of SCACPA’s CPE calendar is planned in advance and updated with “just in time education” sessions as the profession grows and new rulings and laws require explanation.

“We brainstorm ideas to improve the CPE service offerings of SCACPA,” said Ryan W. Smith, CPA, who as an assurance manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP is among the Committee’s representatives for SCACPA 100% Firms. “Our aim is to make sure the offerings are more relevant and specific, to ensure CPAs are getting the required training they need to become the trusted business advisors of their clients.”

The Committee considers needs within geographical regions, which is why all eight SCACPA Chapters has its own representative in the group.

Session dates can be based on business cycles, and members can find an optimal mix of topics and formats.

Because SCACPA CPE offers competency over compliance, the Committee wants to hear about the CPE you’d like to see arranged. We’re eager to hear suggestions on topics, speakers and venues. Reach out to a Committee of 16 member you might know, or email the Committee at communications@scacpa.org.

At DHG, Ryan is part of a customized service team that works primarily in the healthcare industry. He has served healthcare clients in the area of financial statement audits ranging from rural critical access facilities of 25 beds to large health systems with over 3,000 beds and $4 billion in net patient service revenue. As a CPE Committee of 16 member, he understands the importance of “CPE Built and Designed by CPAs.”

“It’s simple. CPE needs to help CPAs with current issues,” Ryan said. “Who better than actively licensed CPAs to provide thoughts on the current issues faced by CPAs who help clients deal with issues every day.”

You can learn all about the latest offerings of SCACPA CPE via the weekly Thursday morning Current Assets e-newsletter (if you’re not receiving it, check your spam folder, or email communications@scacpa.org to make sure we have your current email address on file), the quarterly South Carolina CPA Report magazine, our social media, or watch your mailbox for our monthly CPE postcards to find out about sessions in your area.

So get ready for CPE “busy season.” Plan your CPE now at www.scacpa.org/events.

MEET SCACPA’s CPE COMMITTEE OF 16

Board Liaison: Michelle S. Gneisig

At-Large Director: Clancy M. Self

100% Firm Representatives: Burt Huggins (Smith Sapp Professional Association); Christina R. Klinger; Jada W. McAbee (McAbee, Schwartz, Halliday & Co.); Thomas D. Pietras (Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, PA); Michael R. Putich (Robinson Grant & Co.); Mallory S. Sinclair (Elliott Davis); Ryan W. Smith (Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP)

Catawba Chapter Representative: Xi Li

Central Chapter Representative: Michael J. Targia

Coastal Chapter Representative: Richard H. Ett

Foothills Chapter Representative: Lillian E. Gonzalez

Grand Strand Chapter Representative: Georgette R. Timmons

Pee Dee Chapter Representative: Alison L. Swaggard

Piedmont Chapter Representative: David E. Knobeloch

Sea Island Chapter Representative: Jennifer N. Smith

SCACPA Staff: CEO Chris Jenkins, CPE Coordinator Alex Pierce