Business Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - State Board of Public Accountancy

Via Google Meets Teleconference

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Jeff Wilson II, Chair
Pamela Gray
Joan Pratt
Michelle Sotka
Jeffrey Lawson
Kevin Harris

ABSENT MEMBER:
None

LABOR OFFICIALS/STAFF:
Christopher Dorsey, Executive Director
Robert Pambianco, Legal Counsel
Sharron McNeill, Office Supervisor
Shemirra Massie, Administrative Officer I

OTHERS PRESENT:
Rebekah Olson, MACPA
Kauser Syed

The June 2, 2026, Maryland Board of Public Accountancy meeting was called to order at 9:03 a.m. by Mr. Jeff Wilson II, Chair.

Approval of Minutes

The Board reviewed the May 5, 2026 meeting minutes. Upon a motion (I) by Ms. Pratt and seconded by Mr. Lawson, the Board unanimously approved the May 5, 2026 meeting minutes as presented.

Chairman’s Report

Jeff Wilson II

Chair Wilson reported that he recently attended the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) Executive Committee Meeting. He described the meeting as highly informative and beneficial, particularly for small and sole-practitioner firms, which comprise a significant portion of the accounting profession.

Chair Wilson noted that the meeting focused on several topics affecting practitioners, including regulatory developments, risk management, and the importance of maintaining comprehensive engagement letters. Discussions also addressed the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) within the profession and the various tools being developed to assist practitioners with tax research, audit procedures, compilation services, and other professional functions.

While acknowledging the efficiencies that AI technology can provide, Chair Wilson emphasized the importance of professional judgment and due diligence when utilizing such tools. He noted that practitioners must continue to verify and validate information generated by AI systems and indicated that professional liability insurers and regulators may implement additional guidance and requirements regarding the use of AI in accounting practice.

Finally, Chair Wilson announced that he will be attending the upcoming NASBA Regional Meeting the following week. The four-day conference will focus on issues affecting state boards of accountancy and the accounting profession. He expressed his intention to share relevant information and updates from the conference with the Board at its August meeting.

Executive Director’s Report

None

Exam Appeals

There were zero (0) Exam Appeals.

Committee Reports

The Board reviewed the following committee reports for June 2026:

Education Committee – June

Transfer Grade Approvals:

Transfer Grade Denials:

Licensing (Experience) Committee – June

Original License Applications:

7 approved
0 denied

Reciprocal License Applications:

9 approved
- Virginia – 3
- New York – 1
- New Hampshire -1
- DC-1
- Texas _1
- Pennsylvania -1
- California -1
0 denied

Firm Permits – June

3 firm permits approved
0 firm closed

Peer Review Committee – June

1 newly enrolled firms
6 peer reviews accepted
0 first-time passes with deficiencies
1 first-time failures
1 firm dropped or terminated

Upon a motion (II) by Ms. Pratt and seconded by Ms. Sotka, the Board unanimously approved the committee reports as presented.

Unfinished Business

AICPA PEEC Exposure Draft – Alternative Practice Structures

Chair Wilson revisited the ongoing discussion regarding alternative practice structures and reported that there were no new developments to present at this time. He noted that he had recently confirmed during discussions at the AICPA meeting that neither NASBA nor the Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) had issued any new exposure drafts, guidance, or updates concerning alternative practice structures.

Although no action or discussion was required at this meeting, Chair Wilson emphasized the importance of keeping the item on future meeting agendas. He stated that alternative practice structures are expected to remain a significant topic within the profession and may warrant future Board consideration as developments occur.

No additional comments were offered by Board members. The Board then proceeded to New Business.

New Business

Chair Wilson introduced the sole item under New Business, a discussion regarding a potential Board meeting to be held at Howard Community College (HCC) in October 2026 as part of the Board's ongoing campus outreach efforts.

Ms. Sotka reported that she had discussed the possibility with Rebecca Olsson. Similar to the Board's meeting held at Towson University in October 2025, the proposal would provide an opportunity for the Board to engage with the academic community while conducting its regular business. Ms. Sotka further noted that Ms. Olson had suggested the possibility of coordinating the meeting with a gathering of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) Board, although no formal plans or decisions had been made.

The Board took no action on the matter. The discussion was noted for future planning purposes.

Correspondence

None.

MACPA Report to the Board

Rebekah Olson

Rebecca Olson provided an update on a potential collaborative event involving the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy, the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) Foundation, and Howard Community College (HCC).

Ms. Olson reported that the MACPA Foundation Board, which oversees scholarship programs and student recruitment initiatives, is considering holding a meeting at Howard Community College in October 2026. Upon learning that the Board of Public Accountancy was also exploring the possibility of conducting a meeting at HCC during the same timeframe, she recognized that hosting multiple meetings within the same week could place an unnecessary burden on the college.

To address this concern, Ms. Olson discussed with the MACPA Foundation Board the possibility of adjusting its meeting schedule to coincide with the Board of Public Accountancy's meeting. Under the proposed arrangement, the Board of Public Accountancy would meet earlier in the day, followed by opportunities for interaction with students, a shared luncheon, and a subsequent MACPA Foundation Board meeting.

Ms. Olson stated that such a collaborative approach would provide valuable opportunities for students to engage with representatives of both organizations, learn more about the accounting profession, and gain greater awareness of the scholarship, recruitment, and outreach efforts supported by the MACPA Foundation.

Chair Wilson expressed support for the concept, noting that a joint event would enhance student engagement and increase awareness of both the Board's regulatory role and the Foundation's efforts to promote the accounting profession. He indicated that further discussions would occur and that the Board hopes to finalize plans prior to the October meeting.

No action was taken on the matter at this time

Public Questions and Comments

None.

Closed Session

Upon a motion (III) by Mr. Lawson and seconded by Ms. Sotka, the Board voted to move into closed session at 9:29 am via a Google Meets teleconference, where log-in information was only provided to Board members and staff.

Persons present: Wilson II, Lawson, Sotka, Pratt, Gray, and Harris (members), as well as Dorsey, McNeill, and Massie (Staff), and Pambianco (counsel).

Topics of Discussion: minutes of May closed session and complaint committee report. Actions taken: the Board voted approved the complaint committee report and the May closed session minutes.

Return to Open Session

Upon a motion (IV) by Mr. Lawson and seconded by Ms. Gray, the Board unanimously approved the motions made during the Closed Session.

Hearing

A hearing was conducted at 10:01 am.

Return to Closed Session

Upon a motion (V) by Mr. Harris and seconded by Ms. Pratt, the Board voted to return to closed session at 11:47 am. Topic of Discussion: hearing deliberations. Action taken: Deliberations were conducted and a motion on the matter approved.

Return to Open Session

Upon a motion (VI) by Mr. Lawson and seconded by Ms. Sotka, the Board unanimously approved the motion made during the Closed Session.

Upon a motion (VII) by Mr. Harris and seconded by Ms. Pratt, the Board adjourned the meeting at 12:35pm

NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Via Google Meets teleconferencing at 9:00 a.m.
_________ With corrections ____x____ Without corrections

Signature on file 9/4/2026
________________ ________________
Chairman Date