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July 2026 IN THIS ISSUE: ► How Dedicated Culture Leaders Strengthen Firm Engagement

News from your accounting association

► Preferred Provider Spotlight - Aiwyn ► CPAmerica Growth Masters

How Dedicated Culture Leaders Strengthen Firm Engagement Interview with Stephanie Emerson and Caren Rodriguez, DMJPS, and Frankie Capparelli, Rushton In an age of artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving workplaces, one thing that remains the same is ensuring your team members feel connected, engaged and committed to your firm’s mission. Firms have found success in keeping their positive workplace culture by having a dedicated culture officer on the team. This month, we spoke with representatives from DMJPS, headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., and Rushton, headquartered in Gainesville, Ga., about how their firms have embraced the culture role. Stephanie Emerson In 2022, Stephanie Emerson, chief engagement officer, joined DJMPS when her previous firm was merged in. During that time, Emerson was established as the firm’s chief engagement officer. In the years since, Emerson has been tasked with keeping their more than 200 employees at 10 offices engaged and connected.

“No one can single-handedly create a culture; the feel of culture is built throughout the firm,” said Emerson. “It’s embedded into all the different departments and through leadership. The overall culture of sharing and collaborating, and the idea that we’re all in this together, so let’s be successful.” Both Emerson and DMJPS’s chief marketing officer, Caren Rodriguez, have been in the industry for more than two decades. Rodriguez shared that the firm’s mission, vision and values are put at the forefront of everything they do. Their leading partner even starts every meeting with their mission and value statement, an acronym that spells out IMPACT (Integrity in performance, Meaningful purpose, People first, Across the firm

collaboration, Culture that cares, and Thrive to be greater). Emerson leads as they celebrate firm and individual successes on their internal SharePoint, bringing people together. For firmwide activities, having a “boots on the ground” person at each Caren Rodriguez of their ten offices is crucial, whether they are helping with décor or logistics, it helps remove silos and makes people feel good. One tangible benefit DMJPS has seen regarding their culture, is with their client experience and surveys. Rodriguez shared that she often sees their firm culture, and employee behaviors and traits seep into client survey responses; including highlighting their responsiveness, their personal touch, and their commitment. DMJPS’s culture has even won them some awards, with their firm consistently placing on best places to work lists locally and across the country for more than 13 years. “It’s one thing to say you have great people, it’s another when an outside perspective validates that,” said Rodriguez. “Employee surveys and client feedback really show our culture coming through in tangible ways.” Emerson and Rodriguez both agree that their firm culture is what has helped with their employee retention, firm communication and commitment to their clients. Each of their 10 offices feels a part of the “Be Greater” mindset. “We’ve been able to retain staff as they move geographically because they can integrate into another location and still feel part of one firm, not individual offices across the state,” shared Emerson.

► Member News ► CPAmerica Insights – Harrison Schofill At Rushton, Frankie Capparelli joined the firm in 2021 and is currently their first ever director of people, strategy and brand. He describes culture as something that is hard to see on a spreadsheet, but rather lots of sticky things that happen day-to-day.

Frankie Capparelli

“Managing partner, partners, leaders, they’re looking at culture from a utilization realization perspective. They’re looking at rows and columns. They’re looking at how we can support clients. And I’m just looking at it from a different perspective,” said Capparelli. Their firm has also experienced some significant growth, more than doubling in size from about 35 employees to roughly 75 in the last 2.5 years. Capparelli was first hired as people development manager, but his role quickly began to morph and evolve as the firm grew and their needs shifted. “I think the culture is shaped from the top down, and based on a shared collective of thoughts, values, behaviors and expectations,” said Capparelli. “It leads into your people, and it leads into your clients.” In his time with the firm, in addition to summer Fridays, they also implemented Echelon, a Summer Leadership Program. Echelon brings about 20 students into the Rushton office for two days, rolling out the red carpet and planning an engaging program to build relationships, gain hands-on experience, meet staff and discover what makes Rushton unique. This program helps to build and reinforce firm culture before the student even becomes a full-fledged employee, and attracts about 80 applicants each year. See Culture, continued on page 2

CPAmerica Advantage | July 2026 | 2

referred Provider Spotlight P Aiwyn Aiwyn is the first complete platform built exclusively for accounting firms, tailored to support your AI transformation, connecting payments, practice management, client experience, and tax in one system. Instead of a patchwork of disconnected tools, you get one platform where client and firm data works together, cutting manual entry and giving leadership real visibility into cash, workflow, and clients. From engagement letters and time tracking to billing and collections, Aiwyn covers your full firm lifecycle – layered on top of the systems your firm already uses, like CCH, UltraTax, and your existing practice management stack.

Continued from Culture, on page 1 Both firms stress their culture when recruiting on college campuses, setting the expectations and importance of that culture from the potential employee’s first interaction with the firm.

For other firms who have not yet placed as much of an emphasis on their company culture, Emerson shared, “if you don’t think you have a clear culture,

As a CPAmerica Preferred Provider, Aiwyn gives you a faster, more connected way to run the business side of accounting.

For more information, email mandy.quinn@aiwyn.ai or visit www.aiwyn.ai/.

Key benefits for member firms include: • Faster cash flow: 40% faster time to cash after invoicing; firms report cutting AR cycles from 60–90 days down to two weeks • Time savings: Automated billing and collections save firms 60+ hours a month on reconciliation • Lower costs: Firms report up to $600K a year in administrative savings from eliminating manual processes • Better client experience: One branded portal for signing, sharing, paying, and communicating, with engagement letters completed 1.5x faster

then you probably don’t have the culture that you want. You have to define who you want to be and then put small, intentional steps in place to get there.” In closing, Capparelli shared, “if you’re on the fence about having someone with an HR background in your building, jump over that fence and take the chance, it can only help your

organization.” To learn more about DMJPS’s culture, please contact Stephanie Emerson at stephanie.emerson@dmjps.com or Caren Rodriguez at caren.rodriguez@dmjps.com. To learn more about Rushton’s culture, please contact Frankie Capparelli at fcapparelli@rushton.cpa.

Thank you to our Annual Collaborative Partner!

alliant’s mission is to help organizations compete and win in a world defined by constant disruption and rising expectations. We bring strategy, thought leadership, and applied intelligence together with the depth of expertise required to solve real, complex problems across the enterprise.

Learn more at: www.alliantglobal.com

CPAmerica Growth Masters: Business Development for CPAs July 2026 - January 2028

The 18-month program begins with a virtual session on July 24 Developed exclusively for CPAs, the CPAmerica Growth Masters Program, powered by The Rainmaker Companies, is designed to meet the demanding needs of service professionals. Participants will acquire key skills in this concentrated program designed to equip top associates with essential rainmaking skills. The program is a perfect fit for experienced managers and partners looking to grow their business development skills to build their book of business and have a greater impact in the future of your firm. Attendees have the opportunity to earn up to 56 CPE credits.

Featuring these topics and more: Upcoming Event Dates Scan this QR code for complete event information, a full list of events and to complete your registration.

Program Overview & Setting Expectations | Mastering Time Management & Delegation: Leveraging DiSC and Building Referral Networks | The Sales Process Unveiled: Applying the RAIN Method | Becoming a Trusted Advisor: Navigating the Value Ladder & Trust Equation | Effective Presentation Skills & Mastering Objection Handling | Cross-Selling Strategies for Success | Graduation: Celebrating Success and Future Growth

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Kentner Sellers CPAs, LLC announces new partner Kentner Sellers CPAs, headquartered in Vandalia, Ohio, is excited to announce that Steve Miller has been promoted to partner at the firm. Miller brings more than two decades of experience in accounting and taxation. He leads the firm’s accounting and audit quality control efforts, serves clients in the construction, Steve Miller manufacturing, and service industries, and is a leader in the firm’s employee benefit plan audit practice. Throughout his career, he has been committed to maintaining high professional standards and mentoring the next generation of accounting professionals.

Brickley DeLong announces three team member promotions Brickley DeLong, headquartered in Muskegon, Mich., is pleased to announce the promotion of three team members. Sarah Hunt, CPA, has been promoted to manager/ controller within the firm’s Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS) Department; Smith Sanchez has been promoted to senior accountant; and Sarah Hunt Olivia Domine has also been promoted to senior accountant. Since joining Brickley DeLong in 2022, Hunt has become an integral part of the firm’s Advisory team. Through her leadership, technical expertise, Smith Sanchez and dedication to client success, she has played a key role in helping businesses strengthen their financial operations and achieve their goals. In her new role, Hunt will provide leadership within the CAAS Olivia Domine department, oversee client accounting and advisory engagements, and support the firm’s continued expansion of outsourced accounting and controller services. Sanchez began his career with Brickley DeLong as an intern and has grown into a versatile accounting professional through his dedication, adaptability, and

commitment to client service. Throughout his time with the firm, he has gained experience across both audit and tax engagements, allowing him to develop a well-rounded understanding of clients’ financial and compliance needs. Domine began her career with Brickley DeLong as an intern and has steadily grown into a valued member of the firm’s Audit team. Through her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to delivering exceptional client service, she has earned the respect of both clients and colleagues.

Menke & Company announces new hire Menke & Company, headquartered in West Point, Iowa, is pleased to announce that Libby Kuntz has rejoined the firm following her internship with them in the summer of 2024. Kuntz recently graduated from CulverStockton College, where she earned a double major in accounting and business administration. Her return reflects both her strong performance during her internship and her commitment Libby Kuntz to building her career in public accounting. They are delighted to welcome Kuntz back to the team and look forward to her continued contributions to the firm and their clients.

JHM announces two new hires JHM Certified Public Accountants, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., is pleased to announce that Collin Scalla and Jack Pectol have joined the firm. Scalla recently graduated from Lee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Pectol came to JHM as an intern, and is now excited to start his career and pursue his CPA license. The JHM team is thrilled to be part of this next chapter in their careers and look forward to working alongside them.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.’s James Krupienski, CPA, named to 40 under Forty List Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., headquartered in Holyoke, Mass., is proud to celebrate James Krupienski, CPA, being named as the 2026 BusinessWest 40 Under Forty Alumni Achievement Award honoree. As the 2026 BusinessWest 40 Under Forty Alumni Achievement Award recipient, Krupienski represents the leadership, growth, and rewarding career paths James Krupienski

that are possible in this field. His recognition is a reminder that accounting offers the chance to lead, serve, and make a lasting impact beyond accounting itself. The 40 under Forty Alumni Achievement Award was introduced in 2015, recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact beyond the accomplishments listed on their resumes that first earned them a spot in the 40 Under Forty Club.

Rushton announces new hires Rushton, headquartered in Gainesville, Ga., is pleased to announce they’ve welcomed some great people to their team. Dominic Governale has been hired as government/ non-profit senior; Joey Glover, Andrew Allen, Hunter Holbrook and Nick Bohn have been hired as government/non-profit associates; Leah Robertson has been hired as a workflow specialist; and Yajaira Martin has been hired as a tax associate. The firm is excited to have each of them as part of the Rushton family and is looking forward to the impact they will make.

Celebrating Mr. Brian Malthouse and The Fight Against Cancer This August 23-24, Kenwood Country Club (KCC) will proudly host the 2026 American Cancer Society’s 22nd annual Cincinnati Golf Classic. This year, the event will honor longtime member, past KCC President, and cherished Cincinnati leader, Brian Malthouse. Malthouse is the former board chair and a Member Emeritus of CPAmerica. In 2022, Malthouse’s life changed with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Since then, he has faced multiple major surgeries and extensive treatments with extraordinary courage, unwavering Brian Malthouse optimism, and deep gratitude for every moment along the way. Even in the midst of immense challenges, Malthouse has continued to inspire everyone around him with his strength, humor, faith, and determination to keep moving forward. His journey is a powerful reflection of why the mission of the American Cancer Society matters. Every breakthrough in research, every patient resource, every moment of support for families facing cancer is made possible because communities choose to come together and invest in hope. This year, Malthouse is the American Cancer Society’s 2026 Cincinnati Golf Classic Honoree. In addition to celebrating all that Malthouse represents, the event serves as a reminder that progress against cancer is personal. To learn more, please visit www.cincinnatigolfclassic.org.

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Why CPA Firms Must Rethink Their Technology Stack for the AI Era By: Harrison Schofill, Vice President of Technology, CPAmerica For more than two decades, CPA firms have built their technology stacks one application at a time. Tax had its system. Audit had its system. Documents lived somewhere else. Practice Management sat in another platform. Over time, firms ended up with a collection of loosely integrated applications that relied heavily on people to move information between them. That model worked because people acted as the integration layer. Staff moved information between systems, uploaded documents, copied data from one application to another, and filled the gaps where technology could not. While often inefficient, it was accepted as part of the job. Artificial intelligence changes that equation. AI does not operate within a single application. It depends on connected data, consistent processes, and information that can move across systems. As firms explore AI, many are discovering that the real challenge is not selecting the right AI tool. The challenge is whether their technology stack can support it. The End of the Disconnected Technology Stack Most firms did not intentionally build a disconnected technology environment. It happened one decision at a time. A new tax application solved a problem. A document management system was added. A client portal came next. Then a workflow tool. Each investment delivered value on its own, but few were selected with long-term integration in mind. The result is familiar: client data spread across multiple systems, documents stored in different locations, workflows driven by email, and valuable knowledge trapped in silos. For years, professionals bridged those gaps manually. AI doesn’t work that way. To deliver meaningful results, AI requires information that is accurate, accessible, and connected. When data is fragmented, AI’s ability to automate processes, identify insights, and support decision-making becomes limited. The question firms should be asking is no longer, “What AI tool should we buy?” Instead, it should be, “Can our technology ecosystem provide AI with the information it needs to be effective?” Integration Is Becoming as Important as Functionality For years, firms evaluated software based primarily on what the product could do. Going forward, firms should place equal emphasis on how well that product works with the rest of the environment. Many firms are focused on which AI tool to buy next. The reality is that most firms will see a greater return by improving integration between the systems they already own. It is also important to distinguish between automation and AI. Automation follows

predefined rules to perform repetitive tasks. AI can analyze information, generate insights, and support decision-making. Newer AI capabilities are beginning to combine both approaches by executing workflows, gathering information, and completing tasks with limited human intervention. Regardless of the technology, success depends on connected systems and accessible data. As firms evaluate future technology investments, they should look beyond feature lists and ask a few practical questions: • Does it integrate with the systems we already use? • Will it reduce duplicate data entry and manual processes? • Can it support automated workflows? • Does it use the same security and user management controls as the rest of our environment? • Can it support reporting, analytics, and future AI initiatives? The goal is not to replace every application currently in use. The goal is to ensure information flows easily across the firm. Fortunately, this is becoming easier than it was even a few years ago. Many modern CPA firm applications now include APIs and integration capabilities that allow information to move automatically between systems. Firms that take advantage of these capabilities can reduce manual effort, automate routine processes, and create a stronger foundation for future AI initiatives. The firms that gain the greatest advantage from AI will not necessarily have the newest software. They will have the cleanest data, the best integrations, and the fewest barriers between systems.

In a profession built on trust, governance is not an obstacle to innovation. It is what makes innovation possible. Building the Firm of the Future AI is not simply another technology trend. It represents a fundamental shift in how knowledge work is performed. The firms that succeed will not simply layer AI onto existing systems. They will connect data, streamline workflows, strengthen governance, and build technology environments that support intelligence rather than just store information. Before investing in another AI tool, take inventory of your technology stack. Identify where data resides, how it moves, and where manual effort is required to connect systems. Most firms will discover that their greatest AI opportunity is not buying another AI tool. It is connecting the systems they already own, improving the quality of their data, and eliminating the manual processes that exist between them. Because in the AI era, the firms that win will not be the ones with the most tools. They will be the ones with the most connected technology foundation. The good news is that most firms are facing the same challenges. CPAmerica’s Technology and AI communities provide a forum to share ideas, learn from peers, and discuss what’s working as firms modernize their technology stacks for the future. If you’d like help navigating through your Tech Stack planning, please feel free to reach out to me at hschofill@cpamerica.org.

Redesigning Workflows One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it simply makes existing processes faster. The real opportunity is much larger. Many accounting workflows still rely on manual data collection, duplicate entry, spreadsheet manipulation, and email-based coordination. Applying AI to these processes may create incremental improvements, but it rarely produces transformational results. Firms should step back and evaluate workflows from beginning to end. Where is data created? Where is it duplicated? Where are delays introduced? Where is professional judgment actually required?

The objective is not to replace accountants. The objective is to eliminate low-value administrative work so professionals can focus on analysis, advisory services, and client relationships. Don’t Forget Governance AI is only as good as the data feeding it. As firms modernize their technology environments, governance becomes even more important. Data quality, security, access controls, third-party risk, and review processes all play a role in determining whether AI produces useful and trustworthy results.

Send feedback and member firm news to: advantage@cpamerica.org