2023 ASCPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Forum

Featured Speakers

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  Karen Miller

  Bio

  Karen joined the Culverhouse School of Accountancy faculty at the University of Alabama in August 2019 and teaches undergraduate and graduate level tax courses. Karen’s areas of specialization include state and local taxation and the taxation of individuals, corporations, and consolidated groups. Prior to joining the Culverhouse School of Accountancy faculty, Karen worked for an international public accounting firm for twenty-two years, serving as a tax partner based in the firm’s Birmingham office. During her career in public accounting, Karen served clients throughout the Southeast region and specialized in tax provision, consulting, and compliance services for the financial services industry.

  Karen received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Accounting, with a tax concentration, from the University of Virginia.

  Karen currently serves as a member of State Taxation and Legislation Committee for the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is a frequent speaker at continuing education events and seminars sponsored by the society, and she has published several articles on taxation topics for the society’s quarterly publication for its members. Karen also serves on the Undergraduate Council for the University of Alabama, and she is a member of the Capital Campaign Committee and the Board of Visitors for the Culverhouse College of Business.

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  Lisa Parker, CPA

  Bio

  Lisa is a project manager with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. She is the lead project manager on both the service efforts and accomplishment reporting project and the economic condition reporting: fiscal sustainability project. Prior to joining the GASB, Lisa worked for Runyon Kersteen Ouellette CPA’s for 10 years, the Town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine as their Finance Director and interim Town Manager for 2 years, and the City of Saco, Maine as their Finance Director for 8 years. Lisa is a Certified Public Accountant. She is also a member of the Association of Governmental Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and has served as their President. Lisa also has previously served as President of the Maine Governmental Finance Officers Association, an Executive Board member of the New England Governmental Finance Officers Association, and a member of a National GFOA standing committee. Lisa attended Boston College and the University of Southern Maine graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors and a Bachelors degree in Accounting.

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  Amanda Senn

  Bio

  Amanda is the Director of the Alabama Securities Commission where she has been employed since 2008.  She is responsible for advising the Commission on securities-related matters, investigating and prosecuting fraudulent actions surrounding the sales of securities throughout the state of Alabama, and has coordinated and litigated numerous multi-jurisdictional administrative, civil, and criminal matters. She also serves as a legislative liaison for the Commission.  In that capacity, she advocates for investor protections, market integrity, and promoting responsible capital formation in Alabama.

  Amanda is involved on both the State and local level in various organizations which address issues and promote awareness of Elder Abuse and Investment Fraud; including the Montgomery County Elder Justice Task Force and the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.  She is actively involved in the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), where she has served as Chairman of the Cybersecurity Committee, Chair of the Broker Dealer Market and Regulatory Policy Committee and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Enforcement Section.  She is a frequent speaker on Alabama’s securities laws, Elder Justice, Financial Literacy, and an instructor in a securities litigation course offered through NASAA.  

  Amanda has testified before the United State House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy on fraud and elder exploitation and before the United States Securities Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee.

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  Dean Mead

  Bio

  Dean Michael Mead, CGFM, is a Partner at Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors (CRI), in the government and public sector industry line. Prior to joining CRI, Dean was a member of the staff of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board for 24 years, most recently as Assistant Director of Research and Technical Activities. During that time, he also was Coordinator for the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council. Between 2008 and 2020, Dean was an adjunct member of the Accounting and Information Systems faculty at Rutgers Business School, where he taught governmental accounting, auditing, and financial analysis. He is a member of the AICPA and Florida Institute of CPAs, GFOA, Florida GFOA, and AGA, among other professional organizations. Dean is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a reviewer in the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement program

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  Marc Hamilton

  Bio

  Marc Hamilton is a strategy-oriented finance executive with proven successes in change management.  Mr. Hamilton has over 30 years of extensive practical experiences with data analytics, process design and technology implementation. His roles have provided broad exposure to functional, operational and management challenges facing organizations in the era of systems intelligence.

  As a technologist CPA, Mr. Hamilton frequently speaks from his experiences on big data, data science, artificial intelligence and the developing Blockchain infrastructure.  He also frequently presents AICPA cybersecurity content.

  Mr. Hamilton holds a Masters in Tax Accounting from the University of Alabama and practiced with both Deloitte & KPMG before moving into a business and industry roles including VP of Taxation, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.

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  Kathleen Baxter, CGFM, CPM

  Bio

  Dr. Kathleen D. Baxter
  State Comptroller for the State of Alabama
  
  Dr. Kathleen D. Baxter was appointed as State Comptroller for the State of Alabama in July 2017 after being appointed Acting State Comptroller in January 2017 and Deputy State Comptroller in May 2016.
  
  Dr. Baxter has worked for the State of Alabama for 29 years. She began her State career at the State Military Department in 1990 as an Accountant I. In 1993 she transferred to the Finance Department as an Accountant II to continue the upgrade and support of the then new Financial Resource Management System (FRMS). After the completion of that project, she continued with the State Comptroller’s Office and the Finance Department where she served in several capacities including Accounts Payable and Administrative Accounting Manager, Accounting Director and ERP Administrative Director.
  
  Dr. Baxter was also an accounting instructor with Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) and very involved with AUM’s State Initiative Program that provides educational opportunities in Accounting for the State’s workforce.
  
  Before working for the state, Dr. Baxter worked in the accounting field for Health Services, Inc., Prattville Hospital, Bank of Prattville, and as a bookkeeper for the family business, Durbin Auto Parts, Inc. She credits growing up in the family business as the roots for her customer service values and willingness to serve others.
  
  Dr. Baxter is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Manager (CPM) and is a graduate of Prattville High School, Trenholm Technical College (AAS - Culinary Arts), Auburn University Montgomery (BSBA - Accounting and MBA - Governmental Accounting) and Auburn University (PhD – Public Administration and Public Policy). She is truly a proponent of lifelong learning.
  
  She and her husband, Darrin, have been married for 30 years and are lifelong Prattvillians. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law, Taylor and Rachel Baxter, and Hunter Baxter.

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