Awards

• Lifetime Achievement Award

  This is the highest honor the Illinois CPA Society bestows on members who have demonstrated distinguished service to the Illinois CPA Society and the CPA profession.
  
  

  Eligibility

  Illinois CPA Society members who have provided incredible service to the Society and Profession.
  
  

  Nomination Procedure

  Award recipients are selected based on a lifetime of service to the profession.  Factors to be considered include:

  • Contribution to the profession
  • Professional position attained
  • Length of service
  • Illinois professional involvement

  Timeline

  The 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the annual Illinois CPA Society Leadership Recognition Dinner next June.

  Past Recipients

  2016
  Mary Lou Pier
  
  2015
  Michael J. Singer
  
  2014
  Brian Whitlock
  
  2013
  Debra R. Hopkins
  
  2012
  Sheldon P. Holzman

  For Further Information

  If you need more information please contact Kim Barrett 312.517.7615.

• Outstanding Educator Award

  This award recognizes one or more educators at a community college, college or university who have made significant contributions to accounting education in Illinois through their leadership, teaching excellence, and active involvement in the accounting profession.
  

  Eligibility

  Both Illinois CPA Society members and non-members who are Illinois educators at a community college, college or university with a minimum of 5 years teaching experience.  Educators who are noted for their teaching abilities, but are now predominantly involved in administration or research are eligible.  Nominees do not need to hold a doctoral degree.  
  
  

  Nomination Procedure

  Nominations are welcome from an interested person (colleague, student, administrator, etc.).  The primary criteria used to select recipients includes:

  • Excellence in teaching
  • Active in student motivation and mentoring
  • Educational innovation
  • Contributions to th academic community and/or to the accounting profession

  Timeline

  The 2017 Outstanding Educator Awards will be presented at the annual Illinois CPA Society Leadership Recognition Dinner next June.  

  Past Recipients

  2016
  Vicky J. Eidson, Quincy University
  Marcus D. Odom, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  Dominique Svarc, Harper College
  
  2015
  Martin J. Coe, Western Illinois University
  David L. Gray, North Central Collegge
  Jeff Varblow, College of Lake County
  
  2014
  Dr. John Delaney, Augstana College
  Jay S. Rich, Illinois State University
  Julie Y.  Gilbert, Triton College of Business
  
  2013
  Allison Hayes, North Central College
  Dr. Tim  West, Northern Illinois University
  
  2012
  Leslie Van Wolvelear, Oakton Community College
  Dr. James C. Young, Northern Illinois University
  
  2011
  Mary K. Tarling, Aurora Univeresity
  Dr. Simon P. Petravick, Bradley University
  
  2010
  Mary L. Zenner, College of Lake County
  Sara J. Leone, University of St. Francis
  Donald E. Tidrick, Northern Illinois University
  
  2009
  Diana McCabe, Black Hawk College
  Sandra Lang, McKendree University
  Deborah Lindberg, Illinois State University
  Ira Solomon, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  
  2008
  Jay Cohen, Oakton Community College
  John Janiga, Loyola University Chicago
  Pam Smith, Northern Illinois University
  
  2007
  Raymond Wacker, Southern Illinois University

  For Further Information

  If you need more information please contact Kim Barrett 312.517.7615.

• Young Professional Leadership Award

  This award honors a young professional CPA who demonstrates outstanding leadership skills in his or her career, in public or community service, and through involvement with the Illinois CPA Society and/or other professional organizations.
  

  Eligibility

  Illinois CPA Society young professional members who have shown outstanding leadership in professional and community service opportunities.

  Nomination Procedure

  Award recipients are selected based on their professional and community involvement.

  Timeline

  The 2017 Young Professional Leadership Award will be presented at the annual Illinois CPA Society Leadership Recognition Dinner, as well as at the annual Illinois CPA Society Young Professionals Leadership Conference.  Both events will be held next June.   

  Past Recipients

  2016
  Elizabeth S. Pittelkow
  
  2015
  Charlene D. Rhinehart
  
  2014
  Amanda Gavin
  
  2013
  Jared Bourgeois

  For Further Information

  If you need more information please contact Kim Barrett 312.517.7515.

• Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Advancing Diversity Awards

  This award is given in two categories: Outstanding Leader and Emerging Leader.
  

  Eligibility

  Outstanding Leader
  This award recognizes an individual who is an exceptional leader who has made a marked contribution to advancing diversity within the accounting profession.  Recipients typically have ten or more years of full-time work experience and can be employed in any area of accounting or finance, including public accounting, industry, not-for-profit, education, government or consulting.  
  
  Emerging Leader
  This award recognizes an individual who is an exceptional leader who is committed to increasing diversity within the accounting profession.  Recipients typically have four or more years of full-time work experience and can be employed in any area of accounting or finance, including public accounting, industry, not-for-profit, education, government or consulting.

  Nomination Procedure

  Please consider and/or include the following information:

  • A CPA credential (recipients do not need to be a current Illinois CPA Society member)
  • Unique and creative contributions to the accounting profession in advancing diversity
  • Impactful diversity efforts on the accounting profession
  • Personal initiatives outside of job functions (e.g. volunteer work, educational programs, mentorship, etc.)
  • Activities within the job function

  Timeline

  The 2017 Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Advancing Diversity Awards will be presented at the annual Illinois CPA Society Leadership Recognition Dinner next June.

  Past Recipients

  2016
  

  • Outstanding Leader: Edilberto C. Ortiz, E.C. Ortiz & Co., LLP
  • Emerging Leader: Juan J. Ortiz, Deloitte Tax LLP

  2015

  • Outstanding Leader: Dianne Lystlund, Allstate
  • Emerging Leader: Samuel Delgado, Abbott Laboratories

  2014

  • Outstanding Leader: Kevin Janes,Ernst & Young
  • Emerging Leader: Seun Salami, Deloitte

  2013

  • Outstanding Leader: Joseph A. Kosinski, Abbott Laboratories
  • Emerging Leader: Matrice Caldwell, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago 

  2012

  • Outstanding Leader: Kenton Klaus, Deloitte
  • Emerging Leader: Richard Cerda, Crowe Horwath

  2011

  • Outstanding Leader: Ron Sonenthal, Deloitte
  • Emerging Leader: Muhammad Gigani, Deloitte

  2010

  • Outstanding Leader: Dorri McWhorter, Crowe Horwath
  • Emerging Leader: Marisol Pantoja, PwC

  2009 

  • Outstanding Leader: Scott Steffens, Grant Thornton

  2008

  • Outstanding Leader: Beth Murphy, DePaul University

  For More Information

  If you need more information please contact Kim Barrett 312.517.7615.

• Women to Watch Awards

  Please visit our Women to Watch Awards page for more information!

• Distinguished Service Award

  This award recognizes those who show their commitment to the Illinois CPA Society and the CPA profession by providing exceptional contributions in their service on an Illinois CPA Society Committee, Task Force, Member Forum Group, or Chapter Board.
  

  Eligibility

  Illinois CPA Society members who have made outstanding contributions  to an Illinois CPA Society Committee, Task Force, Member Forum Group, or  Chapter Board.

  Nomination Procedure

  Award recipients are nominated by the Illinois CPA Society.

  Timeline

  Nominations are now closed.  The 2017 Distinguished Service Awards will be presented at the annual Illinois CPA Society Leadership Recognition Dinner next June.

  Past Recipients

  2016
  Howard I. Blumstein
  Elizabeth D. Buffardi
  Timothy C. Custis
  Jeffrey H. Ellis
  Rebekuh Eley
  Eileen M. Felson
  David M. Henderson
  George A. Heyman
  Brian Kearns
  Anne M. Kohler
  Rick Meyer
  Andrew K. Strimaitis
  Mark W. Wolfgram
  
  2015
  Gregory M. Ciokajlo
  Susan E. Coats
  Anna P. Dourdourekas
  Brett A. Efimov
  Janice L. Forgue
  Richard L. Grafton
  Deborah L. Kurtzke
  Barbara W. McIntyre
  Kathleen A. Musial
  Kent E. Reeves
  Bruce A. Robbins
  Jakob J. Thompson

  For Further Information

  If you need more information please contact Kim Barrett 312.517.7615.

• Time & Talent Public Service Volunteerism Award

  This award recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts by Illinois CPA Society members on one of the CPAs for the Public Interest (CPAsPI) volunteer initiatives.  Volunteer efforts may consist of time spent helping others via a volunteer project, time spent helping develop a volunteer project, or time spent developing and/or teaching a financial literacy workshop.
  

  Eligibility

  Illinois CPA Society members who have shown incredible effort while working with one or more of the CPAsPI volunteer initiatives.

  Nomination Procedure

  Award recipients are nominated by the Illinois CPA Society.

  Timeline

  Nominations are now closed.  The 2017 Time & Talent Public Service Volunteerism Award will be presented at the annual CPA Society Leadership Recognition Dinner next June.

  Past Recipients

  2016
  Douglas Hart
  
  2015
  Sylvia S. Kellogg
  
  2014
  Eric Dubrowski
  Elizabeth Pritchard
  
  2013
  David J. Hensley
  Krista M. Piwonka
  
  2012
  Robert E. Cameron
  David J. Hensley
  Roann R. Kopel

  For Further Information

  If you need more information please contact Kim Barrett  312.517.7615.