Apxium Collect empowers accounting firms to automate, manage and optimise the entire accounts receivable lifecycle. With deep practice‑management system integrations and secure online payment capabilities, the platform streamlines invoice and collection communication and payment reconciliation. Resulting in faster cash flow, reduced administrative burden and a more efficient, client‑friendly billing experience.

Company description: Indianapolis-based Oak Street Funding, a First Financial Bank company, provides commercial financing for Certified Public Accountants. We provide capital to assist with acquisition, succession, and more. We are a direct, non-SBA lender and handle everything in house. Our cash flow analysis and industry knowledge align to meet the growing demand.

Rebekah (Brown) Olson, CPA, is the CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs and an influential figure in the accounting profession, recognized as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2022.

Joining the MACPA in 2012 after three years in public accounting, Rebekah assumed the position of Manager of Membership Development and Engagement in 2014. In 2018, she was appointed Director of Development, where she served on the leadership team steering the association through the complex challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the departure of longstanding CEO Tom Hood.

Passionate about the future of the accounting profession, Rebekah is a sought-after speaker who frequently shares her insights on professional trends and opportunities. As a certified facilitator, she has guided numerous organizations, both in the United States and Canada, in the strategic planning process.

Rebekah’s contributions have garnered recognition from various prestigious entities. CPA Practice Advisor recognized her as a top thought leader under 40 in the CPA profession in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2025. In 2019, she was honored with the President’s Award by the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Baltimore Chapter for her community service. Additionally, Rebekah was named a Maryland Daily Record Leading Women Honoree in 2020.

Rebekah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, dual specializing in Accounting and Sports Management, from The Max M. Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University, which she earned in 2009. She obtained her CPA designation in 2011. After gaining invaluable experience at a Top 100 firm, Rebekah decided to leave public accounting and leverage her talents and experiences to work on behalf of the profession at the Maryland Association of CPAs.

Ronald Storch is a retired C‑suite executive, board member, and CPA with 30 years of leadership experience in public accounting/professional services. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer of CBIZ, Inc., following the acquisition of Marcum LLP, where he was a Partner and Chief Operating Officer.

Throughout his career, Ron has led both M&A and firmwide operations across technology, finance, HR, marketing, and strategic planning, overseeing large, geographically diverse organizations in the U.S. and internationally. He has extensive experience guiding firms through transformational change, including large‑scale integrations, operating model redesign, and the adoption of technology and flexible talent strategies to drive sustainable growth.

In addition to his executive leadership roles, Ron served on the boards of LEA Global, ECOVIS International, and TIAG (The International Accounting Group) where he contributed to governance, global collaboration, and the future of the accounting profession. Ron remains active as an advisor, helping firms reimagine how work gets done in an evolving, technology‑enabled marketplace.

Lindsay Gaal serves as Makosi’s Chief Customer Officer, where she works closely with customers to shape global workforce strategies that drive profitability, performance and long-term growth. With nearly 20 years of public accounting experience in Workforce Strategy, Resource Management and Operations Lindsay brings a rare blend of HR leadership and operational expertise gained from her time at a Top 50 accounting firm and through her experience as a Makosi customer.

This dual lens allows her to understand the real pressures firms face when managing talent at scale. Today, she partners directly with customers to share industry best practices, helping firms build workforce strategies that strengthen teams, improve delivery, and support sustainable growth across global operations.

As an Audit Associate, Anna brings almost two years of experience in the field, including time as an Audit Staff member at EY. With a strong foundation in technical accounting skills, Anna is adept at understanding complex financial matters.

Anna earned a B.A. in Accounting and a Master of Professional Accounting from Western Washington University. With a passion for continuous learning, Anna values the professional network built during her education and cherishes the friendships formed along the way. Known for quickly grasping new concepts and adapting to diverse challenges, Anna is committed to delivering high-quality work.

Beyond the office, Anna enjoys mentoring accounting students at her alma mater, a continuation of her past role as a peer advisor, where she helped students with goal setting and tutoring in Spanish and Accounting. Staying connected to the next generation of professionals is something Anna finds deeply rewarding.

In her free time, Anna enjoys walking, hiking, playing piano, and savoring great food—all while taking in the natural beauty of the world around her. Anna joined LevitZacks in 2024.

Benji started with Friedman+Huey as a tax accountant in 2010. After spending four years in that role, Benji made the transition to lead the firm’s IT Services and Tax Technology efforts. Taking his passion for tech and knowledge of tax, Benji focuses his efforts on ensuring F+H uses the best technology and innovative processes impacting not only the firm, but also all the Firm’s clients. He manages F+H’s Innovation committee, organizes the firm’s annual conference (FH Connect), and collaborates to expand the service offerings in both F+H’s Client Accounting Services (CAS) and Virtual Family Office (VFO) programs.

Benji often collaborates with technology vendors to create more efficient and user-friendly software. He, and the firm, are founding members of Thomson Reuters GoSystem Tax Customer Advisory Board. Benji also serves as a member on the National Advisory Panel for SurePrep, and SafeSend’s Customer Advisory Board.

Briza is a tax advisor with two years of experience in public accounting. She first joined Meridian Advisors as an intern during her final year at California State University, Northridge, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in 2023. Briza is currently working towards attaining her CPA. In her free time, you can find Briza hiking, baking and reaching the top of the leaderboard at her local pinball arcade.

Hiral Rao believes that the secret to scaling a successful firm isn’t just found in a spreadsheet. It is found in the people. With over 23 years of experience in audit and advisory services including a long and successful tenure at EY, Hiral has seen firsthand how the industry has evolved. Today, as the Head of Global Operations at Springline, she is the driving force behind the firm’s global footprint. She manages everything from client facing operations to shared services, ensuring that the transition to a global model is both strategic and seamless.

What truly sets Hiral apart is her commitment to “Scale with Soul.” To her, this credo means that a firm’s growth must be measured by more than just numbers. It is about balancing ambition with empathy and ensuring that every milestone creates a positive impact for the team. She is a firm believer in servant leadership and brings a unique blend of creativity and emotional intelligence to her role. By focusing on the “why” behind every decision, she helps build environments where every team member feels valued and included.

Hiral was drawn to Springline by the grit required to scale and the excitement of building something innovative alongside passionate colleagues. She thrives in fast paced settings and is known for her ability to think outside the box to solve complex problems. Whether she is designing global operational workflows or fostering a culture of collaboration, Hiral is dedicated to building resilient, people first firms that are ready for the future.

Brian is the General Manager of Tax Workflow for the Thomson Reuters Tax, Audit & Accounting Professionals business.  He has been with Thomson Reuters for nearly 20 years, holding various leadership roles across Tax & Accounting businesses since 2010.  Brian is based in Dallas and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with an MBA from MIT Sloan.