ASCPA's Governmental Accounting and Auditing Forum DAY TWO ONLY

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.

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.

Keivan Deravi is a professor of economics at Auburn Montgomery. He is a Phi Kappa Phi graduate of Oklahoma State University where he received his doctorate degree. His research interests are in the area of the theory of monetary policy, foreign exchange markets and regional economic modeling techniques. His research papers have appeared in a wide range of professional journals, including Journal of Banking and Finance, Economic Inquiry, and Southern Economic Journal. He is also the recipient of AUM's School of Business Award for Excellence in Research. He served as the director of the Center for Government and Public Affairs from 1993 to 2000.

Joseph (Jodie) E. Smith is a partner at Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., in Birmingham, Alabama, and serves as Chair of the Public Finance practice. He focuses on finance and securities transactions. Jodie advises government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations on taxable and tax-exempt financings, serving as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, issuer’s counsel, and underwriter’s counsel. Jodie also advises clients on related matters, including financing restructurings, interest rate swaps, and tender offers. Jodie advises clients on other types of tax-advantaged financings such as deals eligible for New Markets Tax Credits and on economic development options and economic incentives, including tax revenue sharing arrangements with state and local governments. Jodie’s peers have called on him to lead various organizations in the industry. Jodie now serves on the 12-member Board of Directors of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Jodie previously served as Chair of NABL’s Securities Law and Disclosure Committee, with responsibility for coordinating NABL’s regulatory comment letters and other projects on securities law topics. He also has served as editor of NABL’s Federal Securities Laws of Municipal Bonds Deskbook (published by LexisNexis Group) and as a frequent panelist on securities law topics at NABL’s educational conferences. Jodie is listed by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Banking and Finance. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Public Finance Law) and Mid-South Super Lawyers (Government Finance). Jodie received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He holds a M. Phil. from the University of Glasgow (Scotland) and a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College.

If you're expecting a bean counter, then Brian Barksdale just doesn't fit the mold. His 35-plus years of accounting, auditing, consulting, and tax experience translate into a relatable CPA with real-world ideas and processes for improving efficiencies and profitability. With expertise encompassing construction companies, governmental entities, manufacturing and distribution companies, and nonprofit entities, Brian offers a depth and breadth of business consulting services as a partner at Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (CRI).
As one of the top 25 largest accounting firms in the nation, CRI takes pride in having National Strength and Southern Roots. The firm’s national strength is derived from technical expertise of 1,200+ professionals. CRI embraces a Southern heritage and the emphasis on client service that it requires.
Brian is the Partner-In-Charge of CRI’s Birmingham office and a member of the CRI Executive Committee. He is CRI’s Industry Line Leader for the governmental/nonprofit industries – with responsibilities for those industries throughout the firm’s Southeastern footprint. Brian writes frequent website, blog and newsletter articles on a variety of topics. He is also a former Chairman of the Board for the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA). He has been a speaker at state-wide meetings of governmental financial officials such as the Alabama League of Municipalities and the Government Finance Officers’ Association of Alabama. Brian has also made presentations to the Alabama Subcontractors’ Association and other contractor groups. Brian is a member of the editorial advisory board of Construction Business Owner magazine and has written articles for trade publications in the construction industry.
An avid motorcycle enthusiast for his whole life, Brian enjoys spending time at various racetracks in the Southeast in amateur races and track days, hitting speeds of up to 175 mph. In addition, his 4 grandchildren are a great joy in his life and Brian spends as much time as possible with them.

Penny L. Smith, CPA, CGFM, CGMA
Director of Finance, City of Huntsville

Penny has over 25 years of experience in governmental accounting. She began working with local governments as an auditor, traveling throughout west and north Alabama conducting the audits of small governmental entities including municipalities, school boards and utilities. In 2001 Penny accepted the Finance Supervisor position for the City of Decatur, AL, and, during her tenure, became Acting Finance Director until taking the Deputy Finance Director/Treasurer position at Auburn in 2003. She was promoted to Finance Director/Treasurer in 2011. Penny now serves the City of Huntsville having moved in September of this year.
As Huntsville’s Director of Finance, Penny works closely with the Mayor and all departments to guide and strengthen the financial position of the City of Huntsville. The City’s current high bond ratings and fiscal health are a tribute to the strong fiscal management over many years. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report have received awards from the GFOA for Excellence in Reporting for multiple years.
Penny is a graduate of Auburn University and is designated as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Governmental Financial Manager and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. She is a past President of the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama (GFOAA) and has taught governmental accounting at various conferences and training courses throughout the State for many years.