Accounting & Auditing Summit

Karl W. Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Member
Taymes, LLC

Karl Egnatoff is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) currently living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. During the past 31 years Mr. Egnatoff has worked as a consultant, trainer and as a software engineer while engaged on projects for business organization of all types. Prior to this, Karl worked in public accounting as well as in private sector accounting for a period of approximately six years. Before the formation of Phoenix Beach, LLC in 2015, and Taymes, LLC in 2016, Karl presented and created material in association with other quality CPE organizations for approximately seven years. In addition to being a CPA, he is also a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).

During the course of his career, Mr. Egnatoff has owned and operated a number of successful businesses. All of these provided services to other organizations in the business community. The experience he garnered while serving these organizations helps him now as he writes and presents continuing professional education through Taymes.

Mr. Egnatoff is a member of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Information Technology Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has also achieved a number of technology certifications including Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Certified Software Engineer (CSE) and Certified Integration Developer (CID).

Karl graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. During his time in college, he participated in division I Cross County competing on the varsity squad. He was also on Marshall’s Track team. Mr. Egnatoff enjoys running, hiking and other outdoor activities. He also, as a leisure endeavor, plays guitar and performs with a band in the Myrtle Beach area. Karl and his wife Lana have been married for thirty-five years. They have two grown sons, Jordan and Steven.

Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Owner
DataSmith Pro, LLC

Bryan is the owner of DataSmith Pro, LLC, a company that helps accounting, tax and financial professionals leverage technology to increase the quality and efficiency of their services.

Bryan has extensive knowledge and experience in proper Excel design techniques as well as helping CPAs build spreadsheets that are accurate. As a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), he has spent a considerable amount of time auditing and validating thousands of Excel spreadsheets. He has developed various data analysis and Microsoft Power BI courses and has worked with multiple organizations to train and coach staff on proper data analysis techniques.

Bryan holds a Master of Science in Information Assurance, is a member of the Information System Audit and Control Association and is a past chair of task forces for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Highlights

• Owner DataSmithPro, LLC
• Co-founder of CPA Crossings, LLC
• Strategic technology advisor to CPAs w/ 40+ years of experience
• Nationally recognized author and presenter on CPA technology
• Extensive knowledge and experience in proper Excel design techniques as well as helping CPAs build spreadsheets that are accurate
• As a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), spent a considerable amount of time auditing and validating thousands of Excel spreadsheets
• Developed various data analysis and Microsoft Power BI courses and has worked with multiple organizations to train and coach staff on proper data analysis techniques
• Masters of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA)

Noah Myers, Ph.D., CPA
Assistant Professor
Utah Valley University

Noah Myers is an Assistant Professor of Accounting in the Woodbury School of Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from Arizona State University and both a B.S. and Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University. Before transitioning to academia, Noah worked as an IT auditor at Ernst & Young and as an ERP consultant for Squire and Company, where he gained hands-on expertise in fraud prevention, internal controls, and systems implementation.

As an educator, Noah equips future accountants with cutting-edge skills in Artificial Intelligence, data platforms such as Alteryx, SQL, and VBA to address complex challenges in data analytics and fraud detection. His research covers the regulation of the audit profession, information search behaviors, and the transformative role of technology in business practices. He regularly presents to professional organizations, sharing insights on fraud prevention, artificial intelligence, and the intersection of technology and accounting.

Noah also serves on the Executive Board of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants (UACPA) and is a licensed CPA in the state of Utah.

Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
President
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Jim is a CPA, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), CGMA and is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) with two groups in Wisconsin.

Jim, a Best-Selling Author, published by the AICPA and Wiley is a twelve-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Facilitator/Discussion Leader Award.

Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.

September 19, 2025

The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center
241 South College Street
Auburn, AL 36830

The registration fee is $300 per person and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a refreshment break. Early enrollment is strongly encouraged due to limited seating.

Registration is open.

7:30 am – 8:00 am	Registration and Breakfast
8:00 am – 8:05 am	Welcome	Dr. Jonathan Stanley, Director, School of Accountancy
8:05 am – 9:45 am	How AI Fits Into the Accounting World	Karl Egnatoff
9:45 am – 11:25 am	Improve Spreadsheets with Building Controls in Excel	Bryan Smith
11:25 am – 12:00 pm	Lunch
12:00 pm – 1:40 pm	Auditable Artificial Intelligence: Ensuring Transparency in ChatGPT-Powered Analytics	Noah Myers
1:40 pm – 1:50 pm	Break
1:50 pm – 3:30 pm	Transforming Strategic & Financial Management with ChatGPT - How AI is Reshaping the Role of CPAs, CFOs, and Controllers	Jim Lindell

 

**The School of Accountancy reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or make presenter changes.

Cancellations received after August 1, 2025 will be charged a $50 processing fee. Refunds cannot be made after August 15, 2025.

There is no charge for substitutions; however, you must notify us at allie.dyleski@auburn.edu prior to August 15, 2025.

Auburn University is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the Summit. Please email your request to Allie Dyleski.