Accounting Exploration:
Unveiling Pathways & Possibilities

Michelle Sabido is an experienced manager in EY’s assurance practice in Richmond, Virginia. She has over 8 years of experience providing audit and accounting-related services to public and private companies across a variety of industries. Additionally, Michelle is part of EY’s Latino Professional Practice, which seeks to support the Latino community in the Richmond area.

Michelle graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and International Business and began her career at EY Mexico. Her bilingual background, combined with her extensive experience, allowed her to focus on global companies, leading to her transfer to EY Richmond in 2023.

Michael Spindler is a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner who brings over 40 years of experience to complex disputes including matters related to forensic accounting and business fraud investigations across a wide range of industries. He has provided expert testimony on dozens of occasions in bench trials, jury trials and arbitration proceedings. He has testified in high-profile matters, including as an expert witness on behalf of Jonny Depp in the Depp v. Heard trial in Virginia.  He has provided Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations and training services in various countries around the world, including China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia.  Mr. Spindler has presented his findings to special committees and various government agencies on behalf of clients, including the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Meet Courtney Arrington, a certified public accountant with a strong foundation in accounting earned from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2016. With a diverse background spanning both public and private accounting sectors, Courtney specializes in serving small consulting firms, social media influencers, and solopreneurs. Her areas of expertise include tax planning and financial forecasting.

Hemant Shah is responsible for WaterEquity’s fund-level accounting, including treasury, audit, tax, and financial reporting. He brings 19 years of experience in the alternative asset management industry.

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Prior to joining WaterEquity, Hemant was the Director of Client Relations at Piedmont Fund Services, Inc. Prior to joining Piedmont, Hemant spent 15 years as a financial statement auditor focused on the alternative asset management industry. He started his career at Deloitte & Touché, LLP in their New York office and then moved to Metro Washington D.C. during his last year at the firm. He then moved to RSM US LLP, leading the Metro Washington DC’s Investment Management practice along with his partner. He has a robust knowledge of the AICPA Investment Companies Audit Guide, evaluating risks , U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP), and working with registered investment advisors.
Hemant received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Kansas. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York and Virginia.  He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) (not-active license). 

Hemant volunteers his time at the Virginia Society of CPA (VSCPA) as a Vice-Chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council as well as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) as a committee member of the LGBTQ+ Initiatives Committee. 

Whitney began her Accounting career at Grant Thornton in Charlotte, NC.  After several years serving audit clients in the Manufacturing and Not-for-Profit sectors, Whitney moved to Duke Energy.  Over the past 15+ years, Whitney has held roles at Duke Energy in Internal Audit, Financial Planning and Analysis, Rates and Regulatory Strategy, and now Business Development and Compliance. 
 
In her current role, Whitney is responsible for the strategy, origination, management, and administration of long-term energy and capacity Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for all of Duke Energy’s regulated jurisdictions.  These PPAs include purchases from various fuel types (including natural gas, solar, battery storage and biomass) and require engagement with state and federal regulators, lawmakers, intervenor groups as well as many internal departments.  Whitney is also responsible for strategy and compliance with state Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards and renewable energy claim laws.
 
Outside of her day job, Whitney serves in Duke Energy’s Mentorship Program and other community service initiatives.  Whitney is a past Treasurer and Board Member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.  Whitney is a wife and mother to three young, rambunctious boys.

Jamil Alonzo White was born in Lansing, Michigan and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is a financial executive with nearly 20 years of experience in corporate accounting. Jamil has also worked in industries including renewable energy, banking, real estate, television, digital media, technology powered services, utilities, education, and asset management. In the past he has worked for prestigious organizations such as Ernst & Young (EY), BET Networks, Howard University, and Washington Gas.

Currently, Jamil serves as Vice President of Accounting at WindHQ and Dalian Development, two affiliates of the large data network company, CloudHQ, whose international headquarters is in Washington, DC.  He also serves on the Board of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA).

Jamil graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and he was the business school valedictorian. Additionally, he holds an MBA and is a CPA licensed in the State of Virginia.

• James Robinson is a senior manager in the Consulting practice of EY Cayman, which serves The Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands region. He has over 9 years of experience implementing and managing engagement from internal audit, risk management and performance improvement engagement. James is a Certified Public Accountant, an active member of the AICPA, NCACPA and President of the Institute of Internal Auditors Cayman Islands chapter.
• High School: Wakefield High School (Raleigh, NC)
• College
  • Undergraduate: North Carolina State University (2008-2012)
  • Graduate: Wingate University (2012-2013)

• Stephen is an accounting/auditing professional with over 20 years' of experience in assurance and consulting procedures related to operational, compliance, and financial systems and audits. Steve's last 5 years of experience were at the Senior and Executive Level for a Private Company with over $2.2 billion dollars in assets and $200 to $300 million dollars in annual revenue.
• Education:
  • Randallstown High School
  • University of Baltimore - B.S. Business Administration, Specialization in Accounting

• Jason is a business, accounting & tax professional with over 14 years of public accounting experience, mainly working with and advising large hedge/private equity fund managers and their investors. Prior to forming Friedman & Friedman with his brother, Jason's time was heavily spent assisting clients with federal, state, and international tax issues specifically related to their real estate, infrastructure, and mutual fund investments. 
• Education:
  • Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
  • University of Baltimore - B.S. Business Administration, Specialization in Accounting

Dr. Jan L. Williams is a Professor of Accounting, the Director of the Accounting Honors Program, and the Lockheed Martin Chair at the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore. Since joining the faculty at the University of Baltimore in 2006, she has taught financial accounting and global field study courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her research focuses on ethics, taxes, and financial reporting improprieties, and has been published in academic and practitioner journals.

She is the current Chair of the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy. Additionally, she has served in leadership roles on committees and sections of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), American Accounting Association (AAA), and Maryland Association of CPAs. In her professional career as a Certified Public Accountant, prior to entering academia, she worked as a staff accountant at Price Waterhouse [now PricewaterhouseCoopers] and an accounting manager at Kirschner Medical Corporation.

Dr. Williams' passion for mentoring and empowering students has led to numerous awards, including an esteemed University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service; Henry C. Welcome Fellowship from the Maryland Higher Education Commission; the Yale Gordon Chair for Distinguished Teaching Award and Dean Daniel Costello Service Award from the Merrick School of Business; the Women to Watch Award by the MACPA; and the Outstanding Leader in Education Award by the National Association of Black Accountants-Baltimore chapter.

Dr. Williams earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Hampton University, a Master of Science degree in Taxation from the University of Baltimore, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Morgan State University. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the PhD Project Accounting Faculty Alumni Association. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, golfing, and helping others obtain financial independence.