Accounting Educators Community - Networking & Professional Updates (E1510437)

Carol Ann is the Director of Learning Design and Development for the AICPA, where she leads the strategic direction of the design and development of traditional and technology-enabled learning and competency products. Prior to her current role, she served the AICPA as Director of CPE Operations and Senior Manager of Instructional Systems Design. With 22 years in the learning and development profession, Carol Ann has worked in a variety of learning, professional development and instructional design leadership roles for organizations such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, AT&T, and the Florida Collegiate University system. Carol Ann holds a master’s degree in History from the University of Central Florida and a BA in History from Florida State University.

Richard Gallagher joined the AICPA Examinations team as Director of Content on December 1, 2014. Rich will be leading the Exam’s team of CPAs on the development and monitoring of the current Exam, as well as playing a key role in the Practice Analysis initiative, whose goal is to ensure that the next version of the CPA Exam assesses the knowledge and skills required of newly licensed CPAs. Rich has worked as a CPA for over 35 years. He retired from Ernst & Young’s New York based National Professional Practice Group in June 2014. In this role, Rich supported engagement teams and their clients in resolving complex accounting and auditing issues. He also served as Engagement Quality Review Partner on many of EYs New York and New Jersey based clients. Prior to National Office, Rich was a client handling partner based in the firm’s MetroPark New Jersey office. Rich also has been a frequent instructor focusing on new accounting pronouncements, evolving audit matters and IFRS. Rich began his career in Arthur Young’s Newark office in 1976. Rich attended Villanova University from 1972 through 1974 and graduated from St. Peter’s College in 1976. Rich also was an Adjunct Instructor in St. Peter’s Accountancy program in the 1980’s.

Ralph is the CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs. He was appointed to AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and the AICPA Foundation Board. Ralph is a former national and chapter president of the National Association of Black Accountants, was chair of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s State Society Relations Committee and is a member of the accounting advisory boards of Lehigh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Montclair State, Felician and Thomas Edison universities and Middlesex County College. In January 2018, he was invited by Senate President Steve Sweeney to join his bipartisan Economic and Fiscal Policy Working Group. Additionally, Ralph was selected for the last eight years by Accounting Today as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.”