2007 MSCPA Award Winners
The Missouri Society of CPAs proudly presents its outstanding member awards to three individuals who have made significant contributions in their segment of the CPA profession.
Each year the society accepts nominations in five categories:
• Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry
• Public Service Award
• Outstanding Educator
• Innovative User of Technology
• Outstanding CPA in Government
An impartial panel of judges closely reviews all nominations and determines which/if any are deserving of the year’s top honors. This year, three clearly met the mark.
Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry
This award was created to recognize business and industry members who have contributed significantly to the growth and success of his/her employer organization or have achieved notable entrepreneurial success. Qualifiers for the award must have also contributed significantly to the profession’s growth and enhancement.
Tina L. Klocke, CPA
Chief Financial Bear
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Tina Klocke has played in integral role in the development and rapid growth of a world-class international retail organization in a period of just 10 short years. In 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop was a concept. During Klocke’s tenure as Chief Financial Bear, she has supported and guided the company’s store growth. Today it is a successful global business with more than 240 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia and Australia. In October 2004, Klocke took a leadership role in the company’s highly successful $172 million initial public offering.
Staci Alfermann, Bear-Brand Communications Manager at Build-A-Bear Workshop, says “to those of us who have the fortune of working with her every day, the list of award-winning qualities that Tina possesses is endless. She is a friend, mentor and true colleague to her business partners. She is also a leader that sets the bar at the highest of standards, and then helps coach everyone to meet that challenge along side her.”
Currently nearly 35 percent of the Build-A-Bear Workshop accounting staff are certified public accountants. Several team members are also working on their graduate and undergraduate degrees, which Klocke has supported with flexible scheduling whenever requested.
Klocke, along with the Build-A-Bear Workshop, is committed to supporting charitable causes that improve the lives of others. Klocke has been instrumental in developing both the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation, which supports children, families and charitable programs and also provides company associates with a scholarship program and a disaster relief fund.
In addition, Klocke personally gives of her time and talents within her community by volunteering with financial organizations, women’s groups, local high school and college groups.
Public Service Award
This award recognizes members who have exhibited a distinguished record in public service activities. Nominees for the award are judged by their participation over periods of time in community, charitable, and civic activities, or for their volunteer service at various levels of government.
Patricia J. Reuter, CPA
Vice President of Tax Services
Bank of America Private Bank
“Giving back to the community is a value that was instilled in me and modeled by my parents,” credits Pat Reuter. “As problem solvers, CPAs have an important responsibility to share their skills and resources for the good of others.”
This year’s Public Service Award recipient, Pat Reuter, has graciously served on a number of MSCPA committees including strategic planning, taxation, and small firms. Reuter is also one of the St. Louis Chapter’s most illustrious leaders and will serve as the chapter’s 2007-2008 president.
Outside of MSCPA, Reuter is also very generous with her time. For the past several years, she has volunteered with the Taxpayer Assistance Program, helping prepare tax returns for low-income taxpayers. Her many contributions also include volunteering for the St. Louis Archdiocese Youth Athletic Program, where she performs in their annual musical production. She has been a neighborhood chair and troop leader for the Girl Scout Association of Greater St. Louis, and has served as the stewardship director and as a finance committee member for the Assumption Parish in South St. Louis.
“Ironically, I have found that I get back more than I give when I volunteer in service to others,” Reuter says. “I encourage all CPAs to take stock of our communities’ needs and find a meaningful way to make a difference.”
Outstanding Educator Award
This award recognizes the achievements of full-time accounting educators distinguished for classroom excellence and for active involvement in the accounting profession. Key components evaluated include: classroom teaching, professional activities, motivational skills, educational innovation and professional consulting.
Penny R. Clayton, CPA
Professor of Accounting and Accounting Program Coordinator
Drury University
Penny Clayton consistently achieves the highest standards in all of her endeavors both in the classroom and in outside activities.
According to Robert Wyatt, director of Drury University’s Breech School of Business, Clayton’s success in the classroom is most impressive as her teaching evaluations are always among the highest of the entire campus. “In a subject matter often not ‘enjoyed’ by students, Dr. Clayton continues to score remarkable evaluations, while maintaining the rigor demanded to prepare our students for the CPA exam and life as a professional,” Wyatt says.
Clayton is the coordinator of the university’s accounting program and devotes a significant amount of time toward remaining current in her field and implementing the newest developments in her classroom. In addition to her CPA designation, she recently completed and has been awarded the CFE designation.
Furthermore, Clayton is an active contributor to accounting scholarship, being widely published in several areas. Chief among her research interests is “Service Learning” – a method whereby accounting students are required, in their courses, to provide accounting services to local firms and/or non-profits. Her most recent publication, “Utilizing Service-Learning in Accounting Programs” appears in the Issues in Accounting Education.
In addition, Clayton works countless hours to promote graduates and, according to Wyatt, is the major reason behind Drury University’s phenomenal placement record. “Penny works intensely with various companies in the area to provide internships for accounting students. Her work has drawn praise and thanks from numerous local civic groups and non-profit organizations,” he says.
Evidence of her leadership is reflected in Drury’s LEAP team winning the state championship LEAP competition at last year’s state meeting!
Congratulations to the 2007 honorees!
