Learn Voyage: CPE at Sea

Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA was the chair of the ARSC from 2011 through 2015 during the time the SSARS 21 clarity project was going on. Mike now serves on the AICPA's Professional Ethics Executive Committee. Mike is currently the A&A and Quality Control partner in the firm of Johnson, Feigley, Newton & Brand in Athens, AL. He received his B.S. in accounting from the University of North Alabama and has been in the practice of public accounting for over 25 years. During those years he has been involved in all aspects of public accounting, with an emphasis in providing accounting, audit, and review services to clients in for profit, not-for-profit, and governmental sectors. He also teaches continuing education classes across the country and has been awarded the Outstanding Discussion Leader multiple times and has spoken at several conferences nationwide and overseas. Additionally, he conducts peer reviews. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Society of CPA's and is the former chair and current member of the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants Peer Review Committee and is on the planning committee for National Advanced Accounting and Auditing Symposium. Additionally, he was on the Peer Review Board, Joint Trial Board, and Quality Control Standards Task Force of the AICPA. Mike currently lives in Athens, AL with his wife and two sons. He is actively involved in the community and enjoys his time outside of the office with his wife and boys enjoying outdoor sporting activities, running and cooking.

Marc Hamilton is a strategy-oriented finance executive with proven successes in change management. Mr. Hamilton has over 30 years of extensive practical experience with data analytics, process design and technology implementation. His roles have provided broad exposure to functional, operational and management challenges facing organizations in the era of systems intelligence.

As a technologist CPA, Mr. Hamilton frequently speaks from his experiences on big data, data science, artificial intelligence and the developing Blockchain infrastructure. He also frequently presents AICPA cybersecurity content.

Mr. Hamilton holds a Masters in Tax Accounting from the University of Alabama and practiced with both Deloitte & KPMG before moving into a business and industry roles including VP of Taxation, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.