Honorees will be recognized at two fall events, culminating Nov. 11 with a celebration that supports the future of accounting

TROY, MICHIGAN, 10/20/2026 – The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Celebrate Awards which recognize CPAs, organizations and community leaders who are helping to shape the future of accounting.  

Honorees will be recognized at two events this fall. The Women to Watch Awards will be presented Oct. 28 at Moving Women Forward in Bloomfield Hills, followed by the Celebrate Awards on Nov. 11 in Detroit, where all 2026 honorees will be recognized together.  

Celebrate Awards

The Celebrate Awards will take place Nov. 11 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Colony Club in Detroit. As MICPA marks its 125th anniversary of serving the accounting profession, the evening will bring its community together to honor the people and organizations making a difference across Michigan and the business world.  

The event also raises funds for the Michigan Accountancy Foundation, which is celebrating 65 years of supporting future CPAs. The foundation provides scholarships to accounting students and supports accounting career awareness and outreach programs across the state.

Jay Towers, an Emmy Award-winning Detroit television and radio personality who anchors mornings on FOX 2 and hosts Jay Towers in the Morning on 100.3 WNIC, will emcee the evening.

Individual, firm and organizational honorees include:

• Accounting Teaching Excellence – Dorothy Danko, accounting instructor, Grand Valley State University
• Campus Influencer of the Year – Jim Brisson, student, Michigan Technological University
• Empower – Rehmann
• Finance Visionary – Antonio Brown, chief financial officer, Detroit Public Library
• Future of Accounting – NABA Inc., Detroit Professional Chapter’s Accounting Career Awareness Program
• Future of Accounting – Rebecca Stoutenger, controller, FlavorSum, LLC
• Impact – Kristi Krafft-Bellsky, principal, director of quality control, Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors
• Rising Star – Kyle Richardson, senior manager, Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors
• Small Firm – Accutrak Consulting and Accounting Services PLLC
• Volunteer of the Year – Sarah Phillips, technology business line testing manager, Ally Financial
• Women to Watch – Emerging Leader – Allison Allman, senior assurance manager, Kruggel Lawton CPAs
• Women to Watch – Experienced Leader – Katie Ferris, tax market managing principal, BDO USA
  

For details about the honorees or to register for the Celebrate Awards, visit the MICPA website. 

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ABOUT THE MICPA

Established in 1901, the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) is the leading statewide professional organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the value of the CPA and accounting profession. Serving more than 15,000 members residing or practicing in Michigan, the MICPA provides its members with unique opportunities to learn, connect and grow, serving as trusted advisors of the highest professional and ethical standards. For more information, visit  www.micpa.org.