Christine Freeland, founder of Christine Z. Freeland, CPA, PC in Chandler, Ariz., was chosen to receive the 2012 Accountant of the Year Award from the National Society of Accountants.

Freeland received the award in August 2012 during the NSA Annual Meeting in Maui, Hawaii.

“I was totally surprised by this honor; shocked beyond belief,” Freeland said in a statement. “I am joining a great group of recipients and am very appreciative of this award.”

The award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement and service to the NSA, the accounting and tax profession, taxpayers and tax preparers.

Freeland has been in practice for 30 years and currently works with her spouse at her Arizona firm. She’s been an NSA state director, immediate president of the Arizona Society of Practicing Accountants, and has served on NSA committees. She served as an administrative chair of NSA’s Leadership Development Committee for two years. She recently was elected to serve on the NSA Board of Governors and is Governor of District X.

The NSA also passed out more awards during its annual meeting. The Distinguished Service Award went to Gene R. Bell. The Norma Kraus State Director Award went to Raymond V. Scholl. Sanford D. Warren received the award for Best Series of Articles for his series, “From the Desk of the Executive Director” which appeared in the Mississippi Association of Public Accountants’ Register and the Tax Talker of the Year Award went to Mark S. Nelson.