As another remarkable year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on how fortunate I am to work alongside such talented members, outstanding volunteer leaders, and dedicated Society staff. Your contributions inspire me every day.

The theme of this year’s Annual Meeting, Celebrate & Elevate, sums up where we’ve been and where we’re going. As we review our accomplishments over the past year, we also set our sights on elevating the CPA profession in the year ahead.

Celebrating Our Progress

Growing Membership
With nearly 2,700 members—the largest total since 2014—the Nebraska Society of CPAs continues to thrive. High retention rates and the steady influx of new members highlight the commitment of Nebraska CPAs to the Society and the profession.

Expanding Education
This year, more than 2,600 professionals participated in our CPE offerings—a remarkable 42% increase over last year! By embracing digital transformation, with nearly 10,000 webcasts and more than 100 OnDemand courses, we’ve expanded access to professional development while continuing to host outstanding in-person conferences. New free webcasts have further boosted engagement, solidifying the Society’s role as a leader in CPA education.

Connecting In-Person
Our in-person events shined this year. From the tour of Memorial Stadium during the Business, Industry & Innovation Conference to the rooftop Happy Hour at the Not-for-Profit & Governmental Accounting Conference, from the strong turnout of 40 and under CPAs at the Women in Accounting Summit to the near-capacity attendance at the Annual Meeting during the Fall Conference—we’ve celebrated connection and learning all year long. These events showcase how vibrant our CPA community is when we come together.

Broadening Benefits
Through our partnership with AMBA and a newly minted relationship with Apollo Health Insurance, we are expanding the Society’s insurance offerings. Coming soon will be customizable health insurance plans for individuals, as well as large and small companies. We continue to add vendors to our Member Benefits Program, providing valuable savings and solutions to members.

Awarding Scholarships
Through the Society’s Foundation, we awarded 97 scholarships totaling $128,950 to accounting students across 14 universities—a 35% increase in scholarship funding and a 31% growth in scholarship recipients over the previous year. This investment celebrates the next generation, ensuring a strong pipeline of future CPAs to elevate our profession. Watch for more details in the next issue of Nebraska CPA, where we will feature our scholarship winners and those contributing to our Foundation.

Recruiting Future Accountants
The Society and our Foundation, in collaboration with Lincoln, Neb.,-based redthread, are jointly developing a digital Accounting Recruitment Campaign to inspire high school students and their parents to explore accounting careers. This exciting campaign, featuring a video, digital ads, and a microsite, is now underway—stay tuned for updates!

Seeking New Pathways to CPA
We’ve also been actively involved in national discussions involving a proposed additional pathway to CPA licensure. The AICPA, NASBA, and State Societies have been working to develop and provide input on model legislative language that seeks to add flexibility to CPA licensure while maintaining rigor and preserving mobility. Read more at http://conta.cc/4ePLCnn.

Advocating for the Profession
At the state level, our advocacy efforts have been pivotal.

Thanks to joint efforts by the Nebraska Society and the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy, LB 854 was signed into law in March 2024, allowing candidates to sit for the CPA exam with 120 hours of qualifying college credit and a bachelor’s degree beginning in January 2025.

Our PTET Working Group took the lead on Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) legislation and education efforts this year. LB 1059 provided technical changes—drafted by our members—to legislation enacted in 2023 that allows flow-through entities to pay state income tax directly on behalf of their owners, for a federal tax benefit.

We successfully opposed the taxation of accounting and professional services, which was part of Governor Pillen’s property tax relief plan. In addition, the Society joined the No New Taxes Nebraska coalition, which helped defeat the EPIC Tax Option ballot initiative this year.

We continue to address the inequities of LB 34 and advocate for fair outcomes for all Nebraskans. Passed during the Special Session this fall, LB 34’s “missing year” of property tax relief penalizes some Nebraskans by retroactively eliminating the property tax credits for 2023 assessed taxes. Your Society will continue to fight for the CPA profession and the protection of the public.

Although these efforts and achievements are undoubtedly worth celebrating, Celebrate & Elevate inspires us to aim higher. While we remember our successes, we must also push forward—advancing the profession, expanding our impact, and shaping a bold vision for the future.

Elevating the Profession

Embracing Change
In a rapidly evolving profession, adaptability is key. Emerging technologies like Generative AI are already reshaping the landscape. The profession and the Society must continue to embrace flexibility and seek out innovations. Past Chairman Kelly Martinson encouraged members at the Annual Meeting to “stay curious, think big, and step outside of your comfort zone.”

Building Networks
Are you looking for insights on your most challenging issues or seeking meaningful connections with other firm leaders? New in 2025, the Nebraska Society of CPAs is excited to introduce the CPA Firm Regional Leadership Network. This multistate virtual network will offer facilitated discussions for similar-sized public accounting firm leaders, providing a forum for you to explore trends impacting your firm and to learn from the experiences of colleagues. Each virtual cohort will include up to 15 individuals from firms across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Learn more about the CPA Firm Regional Leadership Network.

Exploring Ways to Engage
The Society’s success relies on active member involvement. Here are ways you can get involved:

• Volunteer for a Society committee.
• Take advantage of the Society’s outstanding educational conferences and courses.
• Support the Foundation and its scholarship program with your dollars.
• Share your voice through surveys and requests for feedback.
• Participate in the legislative process by contacting your State Senator when an issue of concern arises and attend the annual State Senators Reception & Dinner on Jan. 7.
• Donate to our Political Education Committee, which strengthens the Society’s advocacy efforts and gives us greater access to State Senators.

As Society Chairman Brian Klintworth of HBE LLP reminded us at the Society’s Annual Meeting, “Your willingness to get involved, share insights, and advocate for the profession has been the driving force behind our success. To continue thriving, we must all remain engaged and committed to our shared mission.”

Cheers to 2025

Let’s celebrate our accomplishments and elevate our vision as we step into the new year. Together, we can drive meaningful change and create a future full of progress and innovation.

Here’s to 2025—a year of opportunity and growth for the CPA profession and your Society!