4 April 2026 CPAmerica Advantage Newsletter

News from your accounting association

From Hours to Minutes: Crowe Global’s AI Chatbots Deliver Real Productivity Gains

As the technology continues to improve, AI chatbots created by Crowe Global are helping people around the world create more accurate work, do their jobs better and, perhaps most importantly, save time.

April 2026 IN THIS ISSUE:

► From Hours to Minutes: Crowe Global’s AI Chatbots Deliver Real Productivity Gains

► Preferred Provider Spotlight - ACPEN

► 2026 Regional Meetings

► Member News

► CPAmerica InsightsArt Winstead, CPA

Juan Carlos Lara, chief digital officer and regional executive, Americas, at Crowe Global, began his career in 1993 as a CPA auditing banks, seeing firsthand how much paperwork, manual review, and hours went into those activities. As the industry evolved and banks became increasingly automated, audit teams were required to become more technology-focused. This led to Lara pursuing various technology certifications to continue managing his team and eventually led to deep involvement with IT and eventually in the AI space.

Lara was an extremely early adopter of ChatGPT, first signing up one month after its release in December 2022. Because of that early exposure and his enthusiasm for the possibilities, he was tapped as Crowe Global’s internal champion for AI.

In a short period of time, Crowe Global’s chatbots have made great improvements. The latest version runs off ChatGPT 5.4 and Lara boasts that this version features faster performance, far fewer hallucinations, better accuracy and more robust security features.

“When it’s too general, the chatbot will hallucinate,” said Lara. “But when you create a custom GPT, it gives you more laser-focused responses to questions.”

Roughly 30,000 interactions are taking place with the chatbots per month. Crowe Global’s chatbots are used for both highly technical and high-volume operational tasks. Crowe Global built and maintains highly specialized GPTs across a wide range of subjects, including U.S. federal tax, corporate tax, SALT, GAAP, revenue recognition (ASC 606), document extraction for financial or legal materials, audit risk assessments, cybersecurity support and more. New GPTs are added continually based on firm needs.

Firms and individuals are also able to build their own GPTs using Crowe Global’s GPTs as a foundation. They’re encouraged to create custom GPTs that are niche-specific or affect their workflows. These custom firm GPTs can incorporate firm-specific documents, formats and policies. The more specialized the GPT, the more accurate and reliable the responses, dramatically reducing hallucination risk.

When it comes to how CPAmerica members are utilizing the chatbots, Lara said that the tax research GPTs have been the most widely utilized. According to Crowe Global’s usage analytics, U.S.-based firms are leading in adoption. Since the return on investment (ROI) for these tools is so high, Lara shared that they have stopped formally calculating ROI. In their early data, they have seen a 20% efficiency gain in audit teams and 14% efficiency gains across the board, with some task workflows equating to 80-90% of time savings.

“I remember working with someone in Belgium who was doing accounting services for a retail shop, she had to reformat the payment reconciliation daily so that it could be imported into their accounting system. This meant thousands of credit card transactions

needed to be cleaned up every day. Before AI, she had to manually remove portions of thousands of lines of text. We built a custom GPT for her, where she would only need to upload a PDF of the data and the system would automatically remove the information she didn’t need. This task that previously took her six hours a day is now completed in only one hour. It’s a huge timesaver,” shared Lara.

Lara then told how Crowe Global has been providing training and bootcamps to CPAmerica member firms and hopes to visit more for training in the future. During these bootcamps, Lara said the goal is to empower the staff to automate their own work without needing IT. Many participants create their own GPTs during the sessions that save hours of work per week. Lara stressed the importance of firm leadership being fully onboard and attending these sessions, the overall adoption depends on leadership championing usage.

“If leaders do not implement AI, if they don’t accept it, no one else will,” said Lara. “That’s why in every bootcamp we require the leaders to be there. Once they see it, once they build their own GPTs, everyone else gets more enthusiastic and adoption actually happens.”

Regarding data privacy and compliance, Lara said he trusts these tools and believes they are safe. Clarifying that ultimately, user judgement is key—if you wouldn’t email certain types of sensitive data, you shouldn’t include it in these AI systems either.

AI tools can be safe and secure, but the safety controls must be properly configured. Lara pointed out that there have been dramatic safety improvements since the early versions of ChatGPT in 2023 and 2024. Each of the current popular AI tools now has

See Chatbots, continued on page 2

Preferred Provider Spotlight ACPEN

ACPEN is the nation’s largest CPE network, delivering highly relevant, NASBA-accredited continuing education for CPAs and financial professionals. Sponsored by more than 40 state CPA societies, ACPEN offers more than 175 expert-led, discussion-based courses with flexible scheduling, live Q&A, and downloadable materials to support a seamless learning experience.

ACPEN’s extensive catalog covers core technical areas as well as broader professional development topics, helping professionals stay current in an evolving accounting landscape.

ACPEN delivers:

• Expert-led CPE in accounting, auditing, tax, leadership, and industry-specific topics

• Live Webcasts and Live Webcast Replays with real-time engagement

• Downloadable materials for use during and after courses

• Dedicated technical support to ensure smooth participation

• Flexible scheduling across multiple dates and times

• Full-service production and webcasting for training, onboarding, and regulatory updates

For more information, email anne.taylor@acpen.com or visit www.acpen.com

Continued from Chatbots, on page 1

its own Trust Center and safety protocols, and Lara shared that his team follows those guidelines and certifications for their own use. Crowe Global configures its environments with measures such as single sign-on, multifactor authentication and data-loss prevention to ensure responsible use.

As AI continues to evolve, Lara believes the firms that lean in early will be the ones best positioned for future success. With technology advancing at an extraordinary pace, he encourages firms to explore these tools, experiment with custom GPTs, and build internal comfort with automation. “This technology is here to stay,” he noted—and the firms that embrace it now will gain a competitive edge in efficiency, accuracy, and innovation.

For more information about Crowe Global’s chatbots or AI initiatives, please contact Juan Carlos Lara at juan.lara@crowe.org.

Upcoming Event Dates

Scan this QR code for complete event information, a full list of events and to complete your registration.

2026 CPAmerica Regional Meetings

Get ready for a summer of outstanding agendas that combine transformative presentations with plenty of opportunities for interactive member sharing and networking at our annual Regional Partner Meetings. These meetings convene for a day-and-a-half of member sharing and expert presentations for current or upcoming partners and firm leadership teams from firms in the association’s five regions.

Central Mountain | West Coast Regional Meeting*

May 21-22 | Bozeman, Montana

Kimpton Armory Hotel

Northeast | Midwest Regional Meeting

July 29-30 | Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Royal Sonesta

Southeast Regional Meeting

August 20-21 | Nashville, Tennessee (pictured)

Renaissance Nashville Hotel

*If you’re a new partner, consider attending the Central Mountain | West Coast Regional Meeting at a discounted rate.

Landis assumes her new role. Landis was made partner in 2017 and has over 20 years of experience with a varied client base. She currently serves on the board of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania and on the finance committee of Dock Mennonite Academy. She is also a co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care in Montgomery County. Additionally, they are pleased to announce the following staff promotions: Brianna Ralston, CPA, MSA, has been promoted to audit manager; Joshua Lerch, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager; Michael Lombardo, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager; Meredith Myers, CPA, CMA, has been promoted to supervisor; and Justin Yoder has been promoted to senior.

Lesley Hargraves announced as Maxwell Locke & Ritter’s next leading partner

for clients and team members. “Lesley is an exceptional leader who truly embodies the values ML&R was built on,” said Parks. “Her deep experience, commitment to our people, and strong relationships with clients make her the right person to lead the firm into its next chapter. This planned transition allows us to continue building on our momentum while staying focused on long-term growth and

new audit partner and chief

integrating tax, audit, and reimbursement services under one roof. Kushnir has over 30 years of extensive, hands-on expertise in management, finance, regulatory compliance, reimbursement, operations, and clinical consulting within the long-term care and intermediate care facilities.

Haefele Flanagan acquires Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, PC

haefele flanagan (hfCo) has acquired Durham, North Carolina-based Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, PC, a firm focused exclusively on nonprofit accounting and advisory services. The acquisition strengthens HFCO’s nonprofit practice and expands their capabilities in outsourced accounting, CFO advisory services, and nonprofit-specific compliance and financial leadership. Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, PC will join HFCO, bringing deep expertise in mission-driven organizations, grant compliance, nonprofit financial operations, and expanding their geographic footprint in the Southeast. “This acquisition accelerates our long-term strategy to lead with advisory services by establishing us as a primary player in the nonprofit CAS and CFO advisory space,” said Jim Haefele, CPA, ABV, CVA, CFF, MAFF, leading partner at HFCO. “It expands our platform beyond compliance into higher-impact, missiondriven financial management and positions us for sustainable, specialized growth in the nonprofit sector.”

415 Group welcomes new talent to accounting and IT divisions

maxwell loCke & RitteR (ML&R) is proud to announce that Lesley Hargraves will assume the role of leading partner in January 2027, succeeding current leading partner, Kyle Parks. The planned, year-long leadership transition is designed to ensure continuity and long-term success for Maxwell Locke & Ritter, their clients, and their people. Hargraves has been with ML&R since 2009, building her career on the firm’s Audit Team. She became a partner in 2017 and most recently served as Audit Practice Leader. “I’m honored to step into the role of Leading Partner and grateful for the trust the partner group and the firm have placed in me,” Hargraves said. “ML&R has been home for much of my career, and I’m excited to help lead the firm into its next chapter alongside such a talented and committed team.” Over the next year, Hargraves and Parks will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition

Jhm CeRtified PuBliC aCCountantS (JHM) is proud to announce two significant leadership shifts that reflect the firm’s continued mission and dedication to delivering exceptional service. Danielle Talley has been elevated to audit partner and Jordan Pierce joins JHM as chief operating officer. Known for her technical knowledge and practical, solutionsoriented approach, Talley brings clarity and confidence to her engagements. Her promotion to partner reflects both her individual achievement and JHM’s commitment to recognizing and advancing the exceptional talent within its own walls. In his role as chief operating officer, Pierce assumes responsibility for overseeing all firm operations while serving as a strategic partner to JHM’s leadership as the firm continues to grow and expand. These exciting shifts reinforce JHM’s position as a firm built on a foundation of integrity, innovation, and collaboration—values that resonate deeply with the core values and community the firm is proud to be part of. JHM looks forward to the contributions Pierce and Talley will make in the months and years ahead, and to continuing to strengthen the partnerships that make the firm’s work meaningful.

Pease Bell CPAs announces new partner

PeaSe Bell CPaS is proud to welcome Boris Kushnir, MBA, as their newest partner. With an unmatched depth of expertise in the skilled nursing facility (SNF) sector, Kushnir strengthens their position as the nation’s leading CPA firm serving more SNF clients than any other CPA firm. His arrival transforms Pease Bell CPAs into a truly full-service provider for SNFs, seamlessly

415 gRouP, a leading Ohio public accounting and IT consulting firm, announces the hiring of 11 new team members across its Tax, Assurance, Operations, and IT Departments. The new members strengthen the firm’s commitment to providing exceptional financial, consulting and technology services to our clients. In tax, Kurt Blackburn has been hired as supervisor; Luke Chambers and Shari Dombcik have been hired as senior associates; and Adam Filla, Logan Sanders and James Willaman have been hired as associates. In assurance, Morgan Studer has been hired as associate. In 415 Access, Pati Reed has been hired as associate. In operations, Evan Yost has been hired as accounts payable specialist. Two team members have been added to the IT Department, David Dixon has been hired as IT support specialist and Nick Brewer has been hired as IT field technician. Additionally eight spring interns have been hired.

Art Winstead, CPA Director of A&A

used a suitable checklist.” My next question is, “why didn’t they have an engagement letter?” The engagement letter communicates the engagement and is the initial checklist of what we are going to do.

After centuries of using and applying checklists, Atul Gawande published an incredible book, “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right.” It is 224 pages of easy and very practical reading about checklists. I find the book motivating, and it certainly reminds me that checklists are important. Frankly, the book helps me to remember to stop and read and understand the darn checklist. And it is book I am sure I have, probably to some extent, plagiarized.

The following are the eight lessons Gawande learned as a surgeon by profession as broken down within eight chapters of his book. I have taken the liberty to expand those lessons for us as CPA service providers. Are all of us CPAs? No, we are not. Do we all need checklists? Yes!

Lesson #1: Science complexity makes us fail – but there is a way out Regardless of science or financial services, I do believe we make situations too complex on our own. The difficulty levels of problems are numerous; in my limited research we have three-to-seven levels of problems. I personally prefer three. Simple, complicated and complex. Most problems we encounter are simple. I do believe we face complicated problems and passionately believe none are complex. Regardless of the level, checklists will help us.

Lesson #2: A checklist is an instrument of protection against failures

The checklist does not guarantee success or guarantee we will not fail. The checklist will only provide some protection.

Lesson #3: Some checklists require a special component for a problem to be solved

For us, this could be anything from the entry must balance, there is matching of revenue and expense, there is a requirement of historical

also know how to assist with a significant client transaction.

Lesson #7: Checklists provide discipline, and discipline makes success possible

We are a disciplined profession. Checklists only assist us with maintaining the discipline required to solve the problem or complete the engagement.

Lesson #8: Checklists give power to those who usually don’t have it

The checklist can assist us with identifying exactly what the problem is, and how to solve it, achieving completion of problem solving or engagement completion.

In his book, Gawande has dozens of stories and situations that read like a thrilling fiction novel. These stories include miracles in life saving medical situations in which success was credited to the use of a checklist. Perhaps the most thrilling part is Gawande demonstrating the use of a checklist when US Airways Flight 1549, from New York City to Charlotte, N.C., went into the Hudson River after a bird strike which caused both engines to fail. We have seen the movie and we have read numerous articles and books about this incident. All are just bone chilling.

The reports by testimony to the National Transportation Safety Board and cockpit recordings are substantial and document the use of checklists by pilots Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles. Those checklists initiated with “engine failure –including checklists for restarting a failed engine, emptying fuel tanks, etc..” To me and Gawande, the most fascinating procedure at the top of the checklist for “engine failure” is to fly the plane! For us, it can be as simple as agreeing the workpaper amount to the account balance.

We cannot lose sight of what we are doing –performing an audit, preparing a tax return or assisting a client with a significant acquisition merger. The checklist will keep us on task and not allow us to miss something easy.

And lastly, as commented before here, yes, I have ignored a checklist or been too carefree in applying a checklist (See lesson #5 above). And I will admit, that has happened in life experiences with more than just those checklists relevant to professional responsibilities.

You may have heard me tell this real-life story regarding me and a checklist. Regardless, I was the one who assembled our first baby crib in the den enjoying a Sunday afternoon of NFL football. When my wife, Mary, came home, I was beaming with pride. Mary with a smile, perhaps a smirk more than anything, asked me how I was going to get it upstairs to the nursery we were decorating and preparing for our first born, Mollie. I replied, “it’s going to be easy, because it’s not that heavy.” She told me to “measure the width of the crib and then the width of the doorways and staircase the crib would have to travel through and up to get to the nursery.” I did not have to measure anything as I quickly could see the problem. I cursed a bit and told myself, those instructions, a checklist should have warned me of where to assemble. You know what, they did. At the very top of the instructions was a warning “when assembling, consider the room and doorways the crib may have to pass through.”

I should have had Sully with me on that Sunday afternoon.

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