The Michigan Accountancy Foundation (MAF) Educators Symposium presented accounting educators and students with an in-depth review of issues facing the next generation of CPAs.

Bill Ezzell, past chair of the AICPA and partner with Deloitte & Touche in Washington D.C. provided insight on the recruitment and retention of accounting professionals, the potential changes to GAAP as it relates to Private Company Financial Reporting and the pursuit of peer review transparency. Ezzell also conducted a student town hall meeting where he emphasized that there is a real sense of community among CPAs and that no CPA should feel that they are working alone. (Review Bill Ezzell’s complete PowerPoint presentation.)

Peggy Dzierzawksi, secretary of the MAF and president and CEO of the MACPA, spoke about ways in which the Foundation and the Association are working together to provide resources for educators and funding for students to make way for the future of the profession. Educators Margarita Lenk and Lynne Hendrix provided educators with ideas to inspire their students to expand their learning experience by providing real-world opportunities through community involvement. Additionally, Suzanne Jolicouer provided an update on the CPA exam.

A record number of educators and students attended the event, which was held on Nov. 11. The Symposium was co-sponsored by Doeren Mayhew, Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, KMPG, Plante & Moran, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Schoolcraft College.

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