(taken from the
Nov/Dec 2006 issue of On Balance magazine)
A conversation with WICPA's executive director
By Ann Dee Allen
Dennis F. Tomorsky, CPA, J.D., came on board
as executive director of the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs on
Oct. 1. Immediately prior to accepting the post, he served
as a shareholder and senior employee benefits attorney with
the law firm of Davis & Kuelthau, SC in its Brookfield
office. Tomorsky received the WICPA Spirit Award in 2001 and
was named Outstanding Committee Chairperson in 1993 for his
contributions since 1988 as a member of the WICPA Board,
CPAs in Industry Committee, Southeast Chapter Board and
several WICPA task forces. He received a BBA in accounting
from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1975 and was
graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1981. Prior to
practicing law, Tomorsky held audit and tax positions with
two Big 4 CPA firms in Detroit and a small CPA firm in Grand
Rapids. In addition, he served as treasurer and president of
the Elmbrook Education Foundation. He is married to Betty
Tomorsky and has two daughters who attend UW-Whitewater and
UW-Milwaukee. WICPA Public Relations Director Ann Dee Allen
interviewed Tomorsky for On Balance prior to going to
press.
On Balance:
What are your initial
activities as executive director?
I’ve been meeting with as many members and
WICPA Board members as I can—and even CPA non-members to
find out why they aren’t members. I’m interested in knowing
what CPAs are thinking, so I want to go out and visit them
in their environment. We talk about everything from families
and jobs to the WICPA. I listen to their ideas and what they
expect from the WICPA.
The members I have met say they would like
to become even more active in the WICPA. Some of them are
very passionate about specific things such as public service
or working with small businesses.
They’re looking for ways in which they can
organize members and pursue these activities. They want to
have a positive impact, not only on the profession but on
the community.
On Balance:
Is there something that comes
up time and again in these conversations?
When I met with (President-elect) Dan Heerey,
he commented on the number of members who are active in
public service. Not many people in the community know how
much CPAs contribute and how many CPAs are active
volunteers. It would lend additional credibility to our
members if the public knew just how much value we add. It’s
a staggering contribution to the economy.
The benefits of promoting diversity in the
profession came up in my conversations with members Bill
Coleman and Mike and Laura Arnow. When you consider the
value CPAs contribute to their communities along with the
benefits of greater diversity, it’s easy to see how more
minorities in the CPA profession could promote economic
growth in urban areas. For example, if a dozen kids in an
urban environment pursue an accounting education, as CPAs
they could help small businesses get started and help
nonprofit organizations accomplish their community goals
more effectively. There is a whole sector that is
underserved. If you had more minorities in the profession,
it would be good for the community, the profession and the
economy.
On Balance:
Do you have a project that
you plan to pursue right away?
I really
want to listen. I’m coming in without a specific agenda, but
with an open mind. I want to find out what kinds of
initiatives members want. Once I talk with the members and
the staff, I can develop and implement strategies to promote
what they have articulated.
On Balance:
How does your experience lend
itself to the unique aspects of an organization for and
about CPAs?
I have
had the good fortune of working in large firms and small
firms, both on the CPA side and the law side. I’ve also
worked in large cities and smaller cities. As a CPA, I have
worked on audit, tax and compilation engagements. As an
attorney, I’ve worked with CPAs in industry and in public
practice, helping their employers and their clients
accomplish business goals. Also, my 15 years serving on the
CPAs in Industry Committee has given me an understanding of
how the WICPA can serve the needs of our members outside
public accounting.
On Balance:
This position covers a lot of
territory. Do you have any thoughts in that regard?
Pursuing
this position and accepting it were easier for me knowing
that we have so many highly qualified members. I trust their
judgment, and I know their education and experience. We have
8,200 people who are well-educated with superior cognitive
skills. They’re enthusiastic about sharing information and
their opinions about where the organization should go. I’m
also very interested in engaging young people to encourage
them to consider joining the profession.
On Balance:
What’s next for you and the
WICPA?
After
listening and learning, I’ll be working closely with our
members and the WICPA staff to ensure that members’ evolving
needs are met. The WICPA will continue to be proactive in
anticipating and addressing trends affecting the profession,
encouraging young people to become CPAs, and promoting the
value of CPAs to the public.
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