Welcome to Happenings, a quick-read email that spotlights our members and provides updates on the Academy. Stay informed and be inspired!

Message from the President

I'm excited to share the second issue of Happenings, an effort I've spearheaded to highlight our many accomplished members of our Academy and the opportunities our Academy provides for education, networking, and fellowship.

I am proud to be a part of an organization with the important purpose of allowing dually licensed professionals to practice both law and accounting for the betterment of the communities we reside and those individuals we serve.  

You can make the most of your Academy experience by participating in chapter meetings and getting involved in chapter leadership, and attending educational webinars, networking events, the annual meeting and other events offered through the year. I encourage you to attend, participate and get involved in the affairs of Academy – you won’t be disappointed!

I would love to know what you think about this newsletter and what you would like to see in future issues. Feel free to reach out with your thoughts: Mpolis@wilkefleury.com.

Michael Polis, JD, CPA

President, AAA CPA

Member Spotlight: Hratch Karakachian

A member of the Academy for the past several years, Hratch J. Karakachian is a seasoned tax consultant and estate planning attorney outside Los Angeles in Glendale, CA. In addition to his service on the Executive Committee of the Academy (he's the current Assistant Secretary/Treasurer), Hratch is deeply involved in the Los Angeles legal, accounting and cultural communities through participation in the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles and Armenian Film Foundation, which develops film projects that preserve the Armenian Genocide, Armenian heritage and the contributions to the American culture by the Armenian Community.  

An immigrant from Lebanon to Los Angeles in 1988, Hratch earned his Bachelor of Science Degrees (accounting and real estate) and Master of Business Taxation from the University of Southern California in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Prior to forming his own firm in 2008, Hratch held senior positions with Arthur Andersen and Deloitte. In addition to his practice, Hratch is a valued part-instructor at California Lutheran University, California State University, Northridge and various estate and wealth protection continuing education courses sponsored by the local bar and accounting associations. While working full-time and in the evenings, Hratch earned, with honors, his Juris Doctorate degree from West Los Angeles School of Law.

Member Spotlight: Bruce Sawyer

A recent new member of the Academy, Bruce Sawyer a longstanding Probate Judge for City of Central Falls, RI, and practicing lawyer since 1991 in the Boston Metropolitan area. Before law school, Bruce held a senior position with KPMG Peat Marwick after graduating with an accounting degree from Bryant College (currently Bryant University) in Smithfield, RI. A true New Englander, after earning his undergraduate degree from Bryant in 1988, Bruce attended New England School of Law in Boston graduating with his Juris Doctorate degree in 1991. In addition, Bruce practiced law at a local law firm in Lincoln, RI (Oster and Groff) and soon after became a partner (Oster and Sawyer). In 1998, Bruce started his own firm of Bruce D. Sawyer, Attorney at Law, CPA in Cumberland, RI. Bruce is joined in his practice with his wife Kathleen and his son Kevin, who is studying for the CPA exam. Bruce’s practice includes tax matters, business law, estate planning, and probate law. 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Confirmed Speakers & Topics

• Joshua Smeltzer and Angela Alloju of Grey Reed: Taxation of Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets
• Russ O’Haver, Northeastern University (retired from E&Y): Emerging Trends in AI as it intersects with Law & Accounting
• Sherri Davidoff, LMG Security: Deep Fakes, Real Threats: Cybercrime’s AI Evolution
• Melissa Briggs, Hochberg Salkin Toscher Perez, and Lisa Nelson, Taylor Nelson Amitrano: Best Practices in Securing IRS Refunds
• Sarah Green, Dentons: Name Image Likeness
• Robert Wood, Wood, LLP: Taxation of Sexual Abuse Damages
• Robbin Caruso and Nicole Bononi-Wilson of Prager Metis: Audit Reconsideration – The Art of Second Chances
• Rick Reisig, Pinion, LLC & KCoe Isom, LLP; former Chairman, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Montana Board of Public Accountants: Private Equity (“PE”) and its impact on the accounting profession practice and structure
• Mark Klein, Hodgson Russ LLP: State Domicile/Residency Tax Issues - A Sophisticated Approach
• Brendan Beatty, Director, Montana Department of Revenue: MT DOR priorities and policies – Now and Going Forward
• E. Martin Davidoff, Prager Metis CPAs & Davidoff Tax Law: Selling Real Estate Subject to Real Estate Tax Liens

We have other great speakers in the pipeline.

Click here for conference information and registration.

Conference Hotel

Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown

200 S Pattee Street

Missoula, MT 59802

Room block expires on May 23, 2026.

Rates: $249+tax/night through Saturday morning check out. Option to stay over Saturday night $369+tax and enjoy the Missoula Marathon. If you decide to stay on Saturday night, your average rate for the five nights (Check in on Tuesday; Check out on Sunday) will be $273 per night.

Click here to reserve your room in our block. 

Call In reservations can be made at 406-721-8550; Group Name: AAA-CPA's Annual Meeting 2026. Booking link is not mobile compatible. On a phone, the IHG app will open: go to filters, rate preference and click on "Best Available", enter Group Code A26 and Apply

Post Conference Adventure

Glacier National Park is about 2.5 hours from Missoula. If you are interested in extending your trip, we have some rooms blocked at the Apgar Village Lodge from June 27 to July 1 and at the Belton Chalet from June 28 to July 1. If you are interested in reserving a room for a post conference visit, please contact conference chair Marty Davidoff at emdavidoff@pragermetis.com or 732-274-1600 x16000. When you contact Marty, please advise him at which of the two facilities you wish to stay.