All CPAs are invited to join the Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas CPA Societies for the 2026 Summer Education Conference in Gulf Shores, AL. Pack up the family and enjoy 4 hours of CPE each morning, with the rest of the day free to relax on the beach, kayak, or explore local attractions. It’s the perfect blend of vacation and professional growth, offering a unique chance to network with CPAs from across the SEC!
Room block information will be provided on your registration confirmation email, as well as on the event page post registration. The cutoff date for reservations is June 24th. This room block will likely sell out before this date. We encourage all attendees to secure your reservations as early as possible.
Starting June 30th, a $200 cancellation fee will apply due to commitments with the hotel, catering, and event planning. We appreciate your understanding.
Sunday, July 19 Events
SEC Networking Reception Tailgate - Sponsored by Aligned Tek - Sunday, July 19 | 6-7:30 PM
Show your school spirit by wearing your team colors and join us for a lively tailgate reception to kick off the conference! Network with fellow state societies, enjoy delicious food, and connect before the sessions begin. The reception is complimentary for registrants, with guests at $25 for adults and $10 for kids. You MUST REGISTER YOURSELF by clicking here. This page also has a link to register and pay for guests. You must pre-pay for any reception guests before arriving in Gulf Shores to secure your spot.
Lecturer
The University of Alabama Culverhouse School of Accountancy (Tuscaloosa)
McKinney practiced in public accounting for nine years in Birmingham and Memphis. She specialized in tax consulting and planning with extensive client experience in the real estate industry and partnership tax issues. Ms. McKinney joined The University of Alabama Culverhouse School of Accountancy as a full-time faculty member in 2001 and has taught undergraduate level courses in taxation and financial accounting for the last 21 years. Primary courses of instruction include Introduction to Financing Accounting, Individual Taxation, and Business Entity Taxation.
McKinney is director of The Culverhouse School of Accountancy LIFT community outreach and experiential learning program. This initiative utilizes University students to teach free computer, financial, and career classes to adults, veterans, seniors, and teens in under-served communities. The program utilized over 600 volunteers and leaders in the Spring 2023 semester, teaching over 35 classes each week throughout West and Central Alabama. During the pandemic, LIFT continued to provide classes virtually. Through the LIFT program, students work with food banks in west Birmingham and Selma to help them with volunteer management, inventory management systems, accounting, and warehouse organization.
McKinney also provides tax training for many small to mid-sized accounting firms in the Southeast, as well as nonprofit organizations. Over the past four years, McKinney and LIFT have partnered with The Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance to build an accelerator to support underrepresented micro-businesses in Alabama. University students are utilized in this capacity to provide accounting and other business services to both for-profit and non-profit businesses.
Member | Security, Risk and Controls
Warren Averett, LLC
Paul Perry has been with the Warren Averett since 2004 and is a Member and the leader of the Security and Risk internal control and information technology control related projects including SOC engagements. Paul is also responsible for general consulting projects for the Firm. Paul is the leader of the Firm’s Data Analysis Group, a team of individuals within the Firm who provide data analysis solutions to both internal and external clients. For more than 11 years, he specialized in auditing and assurance services. Paul has extensive experience serving clients in the nonprofit, governmental, financial, insurance and healthcare facilities/hospital industries. Paul has earned the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) certification. This credential is awarded to CPAs who possess both information technology and business expertise. Paul is also a published author, columnist and regular speaker on topics such as data analysis, internal controls and information technology for accountants and auditors.
Event Leader
Kurt, a national Speaker, Facilitator, and Author joined the firm in 1986 upon graduating Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana Monroe. Kurt is partner in charge of accounting and auditing and has more than 30 years of experience in public accounting. His dedication to professional ethics and integrity has led him to become the current Chairperson of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Society of Louisiana CPAs. More importantly to our current times, Kurt was awarded the 2020 Special Recognition Award for his leadership in developing CPE courses for the PPP Loan Program and other COVID related relief—further exemplifying his dedication to clients and industry peers as he provides the most up-to-date accounting solutions and education for all.
Distinguishing himself as a national speaker, Kurt has presented courses in 41 different states, bringing his expert knowledge to peers in the accounting industry nationwide. Honing his skills as an instructor, he has been recognized 12 times as an AICPA Outstanding CPE Instructor, and was named LCPA Outstanding CPE Instructor four times. He is co-author of the leading selling Annual Update for Accountants and Auditors for the AICPA and numerous other publications.
Dedicated not only to educating within his professional organizations, Kurt also educated collegians as an adjunct Instructor of Accounting at two Louisiana Universities. Remaining vigilant to helping individual and business clients navigate the complexities of tax planning in an ever-changing environment, Kurt dedicates himself to continual education to stay abreast of accounting issues. As a champion for small business owners, he helps business owners succeed by helping them focus on their goals while he focuses on their financials.
With a focus on community service, Kurt has been involved at the Board of Directors level for multiple civic and nonprofit organizations spanning thirty-two years of service to the community.
Kurt and his wife Sandy have been married over 30 years and are the parents of two children. Kurt is an Eagle Scout, and always enjoyed competitive sports. He played for many years in area basketball, softball, and flag football leagues after competing in swimming at the University of Louisiana Monroe. He now enjoys playing golf and tailgating with his wife in his spare time.
DR. ANGELA WHITE-BAZILE, is a graduate of the University of Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana, now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She received her juris doctorate from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, and she also has a Doctorate of Psychology & Counseling.
Dr. Bazile is the Executive Director of the Louisiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) and has been a practicing attorney for over 20 years. She held positions such as Judicial Law Clerk/Research Attorney at Orleans Parish Civil District Court, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, and the Louisiana Supreme Court; Associate Attorney; and Professor of Law. She was also an In-House Counsel for Prudential Life Insurance in Jacksonville, Florida.
Prior to being named the Executive Director of JLAP, Dr. Bazile was the Executive Counsel at the Louisiana Supreme Court under the 25th Chief Justice, Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson. She was also the Secretary of the Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and the Louisiana Judicial Liaison for human trafficking.
Dr. Bazile has been a presenter for various Continuing Legal Education seminars and is a well-sought-after motivational speaker. Along with being an attorney, she is also a published author and licensed realtor.
Dr. Bazile is the recipient of various awards: the 2023 American Judges Association Nachtigal Award; the 2022 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Christiana Smith African American Alumni Outstanding Graduate Award; the 2020 National Bar Association Hidden Figure Award; the 2018 Southern University Law Center Distinguished Alumna Award; and the 2017 Louisiana State Bar Association President's Award.
Dr. Bazile is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., New Orleans Alumnae Chapter. She is also a member of various legal organizations, including the Louisiana State Bar Association, National Bar Association, American Bar Association, Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, A.P. Tureaud Inn of Court, 22nd JDC Bar Association, and the National Association of Realtors.
He is the founder of RAL Forensics. He has over 21 years of experience in public accounting, including consulting engagements for a wide variety of closely-held and publicly-traded companies as well as government and nonprofit entities. He provides advisory services to business owners and attorneys in the areas of forensic accounting, business valuation, financial analyses, forecasts and projections, profitability improvement studies, business planning, internal control reviews, commercial litigation and bankruptcy and restructuring.
Ms. Schrupp is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Texas, Accredited in Business Valuation, (“ABV”), and Certified in Financial Forensics, (“CFF”), Chartered Global Management Accountant, (“CMGA”), all by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (“AICPA”), and a Certified Valuation Analyst, (CVA), accredited by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analyst. She has forty one years’ experience in public and private accounting and over thirty-five years in full time forensic accounting and litigation support services. Ms. Schrupp's firm provides services in Business Valuation, Probate Law, Family Law matters, (including collaborative law), characterization of property, assisting in preparation of inventories, tracings of commingled separate and community funds, financial analysis, investigative & forensic accounting, and other. In particular, she assists legal counsel in discovery, planning, and strategies before and during trial, including examination of other expert witness, rebuttal of opposing experts and assisting with trial exhibits and other matters. Ms. Schrupp was a teacher for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; she was one of less than twelve CPA’s in the United States that taught the AICPA, “ABV Review Course.” She is also one of eleven CPA’s in the United States who moderate the CFF Study Group for the last three years. She has testified over 160 times in either court or deposition. She has testified in Federal, Civil and Family Law courts in over 16 counties in Texas, Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, Clay County Arkansas, Oklahoma City County, Los Angeles County, and New York City County. Ms. Schrupp was listed in Verdict Search as one of the experts in the Top Texas Verdicts for 2012
Gray Schrupp & Associates
Gray Schrupp & Associates, PLLC- Member/Principal, Forensic, Litigation and Valuation Services (“FLVS”) –2017-Present)
Mr. Gray can assist you with complex commercial litigation, forensic investigations, stakeholder disputes, matrimonial services, business valuations and other forensic accounting consulting services. He serves clients in the United States and internationally.
Bob is a CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, and CFE. He is a member of the AICPA and has been recognized by his peers and has served in several leadership roles in the niche forensic and valuation services (“FVS”) community at the AICPA. In his roles related to various duties at the AICPA, he assisted practitioners by providing guidance to CPAs who specialize in forensic accounting, consulting, damages analyses, business valuation and other specialized services. Some of his roles have included, but not limited to the following:
In addition, Bob is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (“TXCPAs) and Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants (“KSCPAs) where he has been actively involved in FLVS committees and Chaired for several years the TXCPAs and KSCPAs Annual FLVS conferences. Recently, Mr. Gray was appointed to the TXCPA’s Leadership Council. Mr. Gray was a partner and spent over 17 years with two national CPA and advisory services firms working in their national FLVS practices. Bob was primarily responsible for establishing the Dallas offices for these firms. Prior to those roles, Mr. Gray spent approximately 15 years with a Big Four firm providing FLVS, assurance, and consulting services in several offices throughout the United States, including the Executive Office in New York City (1983- 1986).
President and CEO
American Institute of CPAs (Durham)
Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, is the President and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs, and CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the most influential body of professional accountants in the world with 600,000 members, candidates, and registrants. Formed in 2017, the Association combines the strengths of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the AICPA.
Koziel was named to this role by the Association’s Board of Directors in October 2024 and began his tenure on January 1, 2025. He brings a wealth of leadership experience, having served the profession for decades. Most recently, he was President and CEO of Allinial Global, an association of independent accounting and advisory firms with 268 member firms worldwide. He began that role in 2020 after 14 years with the Association (previously AICPA), where he served in a number of roles, including executive vice president, Firm Services.
Koziel began working in the profession at a large accounting firm, Lumsden McCormick, based in Buffalo, New York. Throughout his career he has been a consistent advocate for accountants, developing a strong global understanding of the accounting and finance profession.
He is known for his commitment to key values, such as strategic growth, teamwork, innovation, and excellence, and has been recognized with many notable awards. He regularly appears on Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and in 2017, Koziel received the Dr. Joseph R. Coppola ’40 Outstanding Alumnus Award from Canisius University’s Accounting Department. Among his many accolades, Koziel was also named to CPA Practice Advisor’s Top Thought Leaders in Public Accounting and the International Accounting Bulletin and The Accountant’s list of the Global Accounting Power 50.
Originally from Buffalo, NY, Koziel graduated from Canisius University in 1991 with a BS, accounting degree. He now resides in North Carolina with his family
Senior Wealth Client Portfolio Manager
Hancock Whitney
Sarah Delord is a Senior Wealth Client Portfolio Manager at Hancock Whitney, where she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for individuals and institutional portfolios. Additionally, Sarah oversees the due diligence and management of Hancock Whitney's private offerings platform.
Sarah has been in the investment industry and a member of the Hancock Whitney Asset Management team for 18 years. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Managerial Finance from the University of Mississippi, a Master's of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans, and holds the CIMA certification.
21196 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, Alabama 36542-6549
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