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Practice management

On the move: Wipfli names a CFO

By Daniel Hood
About Daniel
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daniel.hood@arizent.com
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Published July 17, 2026 10:00 AM
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Updated July 17, 2026 10:09 AM
1 Min Read

Wipfli hired a new CFO; Sorren launched a human capital advisory services practice; Warren Averett named a number of local partners in charge of growth; the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board gave out close to 700 scholarships; and other firm and personnel news from across the profession.

These summaries were drafted using AI and subjected to editorial review.

ALABAMA

Stephen Schaaf of Warren Averett
Stephen Schaaf
Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors, Birmingham, announced a number of leadership appointments: Derek Johnson was named local partner in charge – growth for the Tampa, Florida office; Stephen Schaaf was named local partner in charge – growth for the Birmingham and Anniston offices and regional partner in charge – growth for Birmingham, Anniston, Huntsville, Cullman and Atlanta, Georgia; while Kevin Bowyer will continue serving as regional partner in charge – growth for the Gulf Coast and Tampa, Florida, markets, and has also assumed regional partner in charge – growth responsibilities for Montgomery.

CALIFORNIA

Marks-Gene.png
Gene Marks
The California Society of CPAs announced a year-long content partnership with Gene Marks, who will provide thought leadership for CalCPA members through town halls, monthly written content and short video series focused on AI, business trends and economic insights for CPA firms and their clients.

RSM US relocated its Los Angeles office from downtown Los Angeles to Century City to position itself closer to middle-market companies and business communities in the Westside area.

Manuel Ramirez, chairman of the board and partner in charge of international tax at RJI CPAs, Irvine, was appointed to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's newly formed Inspections Modernization Council. The council, comprising 12 professionals, will provide perspectives to inform the PCAOB's efforts to modernize its inspection program and strengthen audit quality.

CONNECTICUT

Headquarters of the Financial Accounting Foundation, Financial Accounting Standards Board and Governmental Accounting Standards Board
Courtesy of the FAF, FASB and GASB
The Financial Accounting Foundation is seeking nominations for new members to join the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council for an initial one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The council, which consists of approximately 37 members, serves as the primary advisory body to the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Ideal candidates should possess experience with financial accounting and reporting issues and represent backgrounds including investment professionals, corporate preparers, auditors from midsized regional or national firms, legal practitioners focused on financial reporting, corporate governance experts, academics and other qualified professionals. Nominations are due by Aug. 28, 2026, and should be submitted using the FASAC nomination form available on the organization's website.

FLORIDA

Alex Welsh, a senior manager at A-LIGN, Tampa, was named a board member of the Florida Institute of CPAs, while associate manager Katey Exum was appointed chair of the institute's Young CPA Committee. 

IDAHO

Sorren, Meridian, has launched a human capital advisory services practice to strengthen its strategic advisory capabilities. It will be led by Julie Cummings, who is joining the firm as national managing partner of HCAS.

MISSOURI

Hannah Probst of KPM
Hannah Probst
Hannah Probst has joined KPM CPAs & Advisors, Springfield, as a staff accountant.

NEW YORK

Staff at Lumsden & McCormick
Staff at Lumsden & McCormick
Lumsden & McCormick, Buffalo, was named a Great Place to Work for the fifth year in a row.

PENNSYLVANIA

Vanessa Ethier of Schneider Downs
Vanessa Ethier
Jen Worley
Vanessa Ethier has joined Schneider Downs, Pittsburgh, as chief human resources officer; she was previously with a national professional services firm where she served as managing director of human resources. Separately, Eric Surma was promoted to chief financial officer. He joined the firm in 2024.

Brown Plus, Camp Hill, announced a number of promotions: Angela Ducker was promoted to tax senior manager; Taylor Guarente to audit manager; Jacob Andrews, Aspen Longhurst and Eric Zimmerman to tax supervisor; Jessica Elder to outsourced accounting senior associate; Angelina Paton to tax senior associate; and Ariel Rosario to audit senior associate.

TEXAS

Douglas Brustkern of Weaver
Douglas Brustkern
Doug Brustkern rejoined Weaver, Dallas, as a director in the forensics and litigation services practice.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

PCAOB logo
Courtesy of PCAOB
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board announced that 677 students have been selected to each receive a $15,000 merit-based scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The students were nominated by their U.S. colleges and universities. Since launching its Scholars Program in 2011, the PCAOB has awarded nearly $53 million in scholarships to nearly 4,300 recipients. The total amount awarded this year is over $10 million.

WISCONSIN

Kristy Britt of Wipfi
Kristy Britt
Kristy Britt has joined Wipfli, Milwaukee, as a partner and chief financial officer. Most recently, she served as CFO of a large wealth management platform.

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Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief
Daniel Hood has been editor-in-chief of Accounting Today since 2011; he joined Accounting Today as managing editor in 1998. A graduate of Georgetown... Read full bio
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