Faith N. Harvell

The board discussed 2026 requirements for the CPA exam and licensure, including updates to specific rules. Reports were provided on investigation statistics, continuing professional education audits, license renewal fines, and current licensee data. The board conducted formal disciplinary hearings for three parties, resulting in license revocations and conditional stays. Various waiver requests for late fees and fines were reviewed and denied. Furthermore, the board authorized an annual meeting date, approved travel for staff, adopted a policy for food and beverage purchases, and approved funding for the Ohio Society of CPAs.

The committee discussed the recommendation for travel approval for the Executive Director and Assistant Attorney General to attend the NASBA 2026 Executive Director and Legal Conference. Additionally, the committee reviewed the policy regarding the purchase of food and beverage items via PCard, acknowledging the increased costs associated with utilizing off-site catering services.

The committee reviewed the fiscal year 2025 outcomes presented by the Ohio Society of CPAs, including initiatives addressing talent recruitment, accounting boot camps, and the Destination Ohio program. Discussions covered website traffic data, the effectiveness of digital badges, and upcoming Accounting Career Day events. Additionally, the committee evaluated funding for fiscal year 2026 and 2027, finalizing a recommendation to allocate funds to the Ohio Society of CPAs with provisions for potential reallocation of specific line items.

The meeting included a presentation from the NASBA CEO regarding several professional topics, including the impact of updated definitions for professional degrees on federal loan programs, NASBA's white paper on private equity and its effects on oversight and public perception, concerns regarding legislative deregulation trends such as continuing education requirements, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the accounting workforce and CPA training. The Board approved the 2026 meeting dates and committee assignments, and approved the Ohio Administrative Code rule revisions under five-year review. Formal disciplinary hearings were held for Larry L. Broers and Edward C. Malecki, and a formal reinstatement hearing was held for Elvis Kanlic. Following quasi-judicial deliberations, the Board voted to take no action regarding Mr. Broers' certificate, reinstate Mr. Malecki's certificate pending a fee payment, and revoke Mr. Kanlic's certificate. The Executive Director reported on recent CPA certifications and an independence issue involving a public accounting firm's ESOP structure.

The Board retreat included welcoming the newest Board member, Brian D. Marita. Discussions covered updates from the NASBA Annual Meeting, specifically focusing on private equity, pathway to licensure issues, and the impact of redefining accounting education requirements. The Board reviewed and set the 2026 meeting dates and finalized committee assignments, noting the move to the State Library of Ohio in 2026. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the 2027-2028 budget process, including requests for additional funds for Board member travel and a new licensing employee, along with discussions on the Education Assistance Fund. Regulatory topics included the five-year rule review for specific Ohio Administrative Code sections. The Chair outlined her strategic expectations, emphasizing the need to protect the public, promote confidence in the profession, and address key issues such as AI, technology changes, and retaining Ohio CPA graduates. Discussions also covered the impact of AI on Board staff work, CPE verification, and the challenges facing practitioners regarding attestation work.