NASBA Center For Public Trust 
Ethics Matters
Q1 2024
Alfonzo Alexander, NASBA Center for The Public Trust (CPT) President, visited students and spoke about sustainable leadership this quarter through a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) initiative called the Balance Sheet Bash. The event was organized by Jeannine Birmingham, CPA, President and CEO of the Alabama Society of CPAs (ASCPA). Alongside Sharrona Reaves, NASBA CPT Director of Programs and Development, Alexander stopped in Birmingham, AL, Montgomery, AL, and Huntsville, AL, to lead discussions with other professionals about ethics and diversity in accounting. Events were hosted at the Kassouf & Co. office in Birmingham, the Alabama State Board of Accountants office in Montgomery and Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.
The CPT interviewed Jeannine Birmingham on the event and asked her about the inspiration behind it all:
Q: How did the Balance Sheet Bash come about?
A: Balance Sheet Bash was inspired by Dr. Felicia Farrar, Adjunct Professor for Alabama A&M University, the University of Houston and the University of Louisville. Dr. Farrar contacted me in the spring 2023 with the idea of hosting diverse student programs in multiple cities. This would allow us to meet students where they are located and share inspiring information about the accounting profession. Dr. Farrar and I spent a considerable amount of time dreaming of what our Alabama program might look like. Then, we pulled in the leadership talent of professionals across the country, including Okorie Ramsey, AICPA Chair, Alfonzo Alexander, President NASBA CPT, Guylaine Saint Juste, President & CEO NABA, Dr. Jan Taylor, AICPA Academic in Residence, Jeannine Brown, Everyday Lead CEO, and others.
Q: What did you feel were the primary areas of focus?
A: The primary focus of Balance Sheet Bash, named by a recent ASCPA intern, Roidarrius Williams, is to promote diversity in accounting. The conference content focused on professional speakers, leadership training, resume and social platform tips, and onsite conversations with recruiters.
Q: What are your future goals for this initiative?
A: Our immediate goal is to evaluate the wins and the concerns of what we experienced this year (2024) and enhance the program for 2025 and beyond. Our goal is to increase Alabama’s diverse students who select accounting as a major and then work in accounting as a career.
Birmingham reported that she received positive feedback from students after the initiative took place.
