The state CPA societies for Florida, Georgia, Montana, and South Carolina are attempting to advance innovation in professional learning for accounting professionals through a new collaborative technology company that was announced on Monday.
The Florida Institute of CPAs, Georgia Society of CPAs, Montana Society of CPAs, and the South Carolina Association of CPAs have formed Five Storm Systems, a company established to explore how emerging technologies can responsibly strengthen professional competency, lifelong learning, and the continued value of the CPA profession.
The company is developing its first initiative called CLARKE (Captured Learning and Reasoning Knowledge Engine). According to the state CPA societies, CLARKE is an artificial intelligence-enabled evidence system that will capture structured, traceable evidence of professional learning as it occurs during real professional work.
Rather than replacing existing education or regulatory processes, CLARKE is being designed to organize evidence that can be reviewed by employers, organizations, and, where appropriate, regulators while preserving professional judgment and external authority. Final recognition decisions remain external, officials say.
“Technology is transforming virtually every aspect of the accounting profession, and professional learning should evolve alongside it,” Shelly Weir, president and CEO of FICPA, said in a statement on Aug. 31. “CPAs learn every day as they research complex issues, interpret changing standards, and apply professional judgment on behalf of clients and organizations. Five Storm Systems was created to explore how technology can help make that learning more visible, more evidence-based, and more valuable to the profession.”
Unlike approaches that primarily measure time spent in educational activities, CLARKE is being developed to organize evidence of learning grounded in authoritative sources and attributable professional activity. The platform is intended to complement—not replace—existing professional education, firm training, and regulatory oversight by providing structured evidence that can support informed external review, officials say.
“Throughout the history of our profession, advances in technology have changed how CPAs work and how they learn,” Chris Jenkins, CEO of the SC.CPA, said in a statement. “Our responsibility is to explore those opportunities thoughtfully while keeping competency, quality, and public protection at the center of every decision.”
MSCPA CEO Allen Lloyd said the pace of change across the accounting profession makes collaboration and innovation more vital than ever.
“Our profession has always adapted to new challenges, new technologies, and new ways of serving clients,” Lloyd said in a statement. “Five Storm Systems represents four state CPA societies coming together to help shape that future. By exploring new ideas responsibly, and in collaboration with firms, regulators, and the profession, we can strengthen how CPAs learn, grow, and continue earning the trust of the public.”
GSCPA CEO Boyd Search said the creation of Five Storm Systems demonstrates what’s possible when state CPA societies unite around a common vision.
“The opportunities and challenges facing our profession are shared across the country,” Search said in a statement. “By bringing together four leading state CPA societies, we’re creating a platform for responsible innovation that no single organization could build alone. Just as importantly, we’re committed to developing these ideas in collaboration with the firms, educators, regulators, and policymakers who will ultimately help shape the future of the profession.”
Advisory council formed to guide CLARKE development
To help guide the development of CLARKE, Five Storm Systems has established an inaugural advisory council representing accounting firms, professional learning leaders, regulatory experts, public policymakers, and the broader CPA profession.
Initial advisory council members include:
- South Carolina state Rep. Shannon Erickson, chair of the South Carolina House of Representatives Education and Public Works Committee
- David Knight, Former Georgia state representative
- Julie Kirsch, talent development strategist for Baker Tilly x Berkowitz Pollack Brant (Baker Tilly acquired Berkowitz Pollack Brant earlier this year.)
- Mindy Rankin, partner/member at Warren Averett, and former member of the Florida Board of Accountancy
- Rick Reisig, past chair of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and past chair of the Montana Board of Accountancy
- Eric Robinson, managing partner at Robinson, Gruters & Roberts CPAs, and former member of the Florida Board of Accountancy
- Yuliya Salostsina, learning and development director at Kaufman Rossin
- Roger Scarborough, former executive director of the Florida Board of Accountancy
- Beth Spencer, director of licensure and CPE at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
“The composition of this Council is intentional,” Weir said. “If we’re going to explore new approaches to documenting professional learning, we want the people responsible for protecting the public, developing professionals, and shaping policy involved from the very beginning. We want their questions, their expertise, and their scrutiny built into the development process—not after it’s complete, but while it’s being built.”
Five Storm Systems says it will continue engaging accounting firms, educators, state CPA societies, regulators, and other leaders across the profession as CLARKE advances through development, pilot collaborations, and broader industry engagement.
Photo caption: (from left) MSCPA CEO Allen Lloyd, GSCPA CEO Boyd Search, FICPA President and CEO Shelly Weir, and SC.CPA CEO Chris Jenkins
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