Gregory A. Nowak, CPA, JD 2010-2011 MACPA Chair of the Board

When a CPA took office as governor of Michigan in January, I was elated. It’s the first time in our state’s history and only the third time in our nation’s history that a CPA has been elected as a governor. As a profession, we were excited that Gov. Rick Snyder would utilize his CPA background, knowledge and expertise to revitalize our state. The opportunity to provide a warm welcome to Gov. Snyder at our Spring Members Advisory Council, which attracted the largest attendance ever, will remain one of the highlights of my year as chair of the MACPA.

On July 1, the Governor’s office released a list of achievements from his first six months on the job. It’s a lengthy and impressive list. And, I’m proud to say, many CPAs have served as a resource to make some of these things happen.

Of note is the Citizens Guide to Michigan's Financial Health (Day 31). The MACPA responded to a call for assistance through the creation of an MACPA Involvement in Michigan’s Turnaround Task Force, which I will have the honor of chairing in my role as Immediate Past Chair. A subgroup of this Task Force, drawn from MACPA members with governmental accounting expertise, provided a list of recommendations on relevant metrics and effective ways to present information so Michigan citizens can better understand Michigan’s financial position. CPAs played an important role in bringing this new level of transparency to our state’s financial reporting.

Our Turnaround Task Force efforts are ongoing as we establish work groups to assist in the following significant areas:

1. examining formulas for revenue sharing and transportation
2. helping MEDC on the review of MEGA tax credit audit processes; and on the development of tools for use in the administration’s economic gardening initiatives
3. developing resources and templates for use in consolidation of units and/or segments of local units of government.

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