AICPA Presents Awards to Outstanding CPAs in Government

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has presented Deborah Loveless, CPA, CGFM, CGMA of Hendersonville, Tenn., with the Institute’s 2018 Outstanding CPA in Government Career Contribution Award honoring her lifelong contribution to the profession.

The AICPA also presented Kathryn Belfi of Bristol, Conn., with the 2018 Outstanding CPA in Government Impact Award at the state level.

George Strudgeon, CGMA, CPA, CGFM, audit director, Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts, presented the awards today at the Institute’s 34^th Annual National Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Each year, the AICPA Outstanding CPA in Government Awards seek to do the near impossible: to find two standouts in a room full of standouts,” said Eric Hansen, CPA, CGMA, chairman of the AICPA. “Deborah and Kathy have led our profession to new heights,” said Hansen. “In doing so, they have earned not only nominations from their peers, but also all of our esteem and respect.”

The Outstanding CPA in Government Career Contribution Award recognizes significant contributions to the CPA profession through government service at the local, state or federal level over a candidate’s career. Award winners must have demonstrated exceptional leadership, high ethical standards, and a track record of professional excellence. Loveless has distinguished herself through the significant contributions she has made at the federal, state, and local government levels, including 39 years at the Tennessee Division of State Audit. As Director of the Division of State Audit, Loveless is responsible for five different audit groups and for Tennessee’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Single Audit. Since assuming the position of Director, Loveless has worked closely with the Comptroller of the Treasury to improve communications between the state, legislative and executive agencies. She was also instrumental in producing the 2017 publication Defining Tennessee Audit: A Glossary of Audit Terms, which includes definitions of commonly used auditing terms and their relevance to the audit work conducted in the State of Tennessee.

The Outstanding CPA in Government Impact Award recognizes the impact of recent significant contributions of CPAs to the efficiency, effectiveness or innovative service delivery of their respective local, state or federal employer organizations. Belfi, as director of the Financial Regulation Division of the Connecticut Insurance Department, monitors the financial condition of domestic and foreign insurers, health care centers and fraternal benefit societies doing business in Connecticut. Belfi plays a key role at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the U.S. standard-setting and regulatory support organization created and governed by the chief insurance regulators from 50 states, D.C., and five U.S. territories.

A list of previous winners can be found on the AICPA’s Outstanding CPA in Government Awards’ page.