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Stephen H. Epstein | 2011-2012

The NASBA Center for the Public Trust (NASBA CPT) recently honored Stephen H. Epstein with its Being a Difference Award.  Epstein received the award at the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) 2011 Awards Dinner in Birmingham, Mich.

Established in 2006, the Being a Difference Award honors individuals and organizations for their unique contributions to ethical leadership. This national recognition program also acknowledges individuals who follow high standards of social responsibility.

“Steve Epstein impeccably represents the truest intent of the ‘Being a Difference Award,’” said David A. Costello, CPA, president and CEO of NASBA.   “The Award simply connotes a lifestyle—purposeful and determined—of modeling integrity and ethical behavior before the public who validates and rewards trust in individuals and companies.  Steve’s lifestyle and body of work have been so validated.”

A resident of West Bloomfield, Mich., Epstein is a retired administrative and marketing partner of the 1,000-person, Detroit office of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, where he worked with retail clients and vehicle dealerships. 

Since his retirement, he has served as an ethics educator for the MACPA, utilizing his 35 years of public accounting experience to enhance the accounting profession in Michigan.  Involved in the MACPA’s Professional Ethics Task Force, Epstein also has led the organization’s legislative and regulatory efforts to protect the public interest, has overseen the professional and ethical conduct of CPAs through service on the Michigan State Board of Accountancy and the AICPA Joint Trial Board, and has assisted in the creation of a scholarship program for accounting students.

Additionally, he has served as chair of the State Steering Committee of the Accountants Coalition, a group representing the largest CPA firms.

“We are so proud of Stephen Epstein for receiving such a prestigious award from NASBA,” said Peggy Dzierzawski, president and CEO of the MACPA.  “Not only did he spend more than three decades giving his all to public accounting, he continues to do so in such an impactful way.”