Career moves

It might seem strange, pairing the phrase “love fest” with the AICPA Fall Council meeting, but I tell you, the lovely and heartfelt moments were flowing as freely as the wine and margaritas at the opening reception.

Krista McMasters made history in April when her firm, Clifton Gunderson, named her to succeed Carl George as chief executive next year.

Deloitte Financial Advisory Services has elected a new CEO and U.S. chairman.

Plante & Moran has chosen Gordon Krater as its next managing partner, the sixth managing partner in the firm's 85-year history.

CCH has named two new vice presidents to help spearhead technology efforts at the company.

BNA said its vice chair, Sandra C. Degler, has died of cancer.

KPMG International has named a deputy chairman.

The Securities and Exchange Commission named Dr. Amy Edwards to the post of Assistant Chief Economist for Markets and Intermediaries in the agency's Office of Economic Analysis.

The National Society of Accountants chose a new slate of officers, district governors and state directors, and handed out awards, at its 63rd annual meeting.

Do you know how much longer your firm’s partners want to work?

Former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt will chair a Governance Leadership Council formed by risk management service provider RiskMetrics.

Joseph P. "Bo" Fitzpatrick has left his position running AuditWatch to join CPA firm Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Co. as director of business development and strategic planning.

Investment research firm Glass Lewis has named former Comptroller General Charles A. Bowsher as chairman of its advisory council.

BDO Seidman has elected Jack Weisbaum to his second four-year term as the accounting firm's CEO.

Regional accounting firm Baker Newman & Noyes has named a new managing principal, Charles F. Hahn.

Accounting firm Citrin Cooperman has appointed longtime partner F. Wayne Holton CEO.

H&R Block ended an eight-month search to fill its president and chief executive posts as the tax-prep giant, headquartered here, appointed former McDonald’s Corp. executive Russ Smyth to those positions.Smyth, who formerly served as president of McDonald’s Europe, succeeds Alan Bennett, who has served as interim CEO since November 2007. Smyth was scheduled to assume the Block helm August 1.

The Federation of Tax Administrators has named a new executive director, James R. Eads Jr., the former public affairs director for state tax consulting firm Ryan & Co.

Financial Executives International has named a new chairman and board of directors for 2008-2009.

The Internal Revenue Service appointed J. Richard Harvey Jr. as senior advisor to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman.