CPE@Sea!

Marc Hamilton, CFO and Treasurer

Marc Hamilton, CPA, CGMA | Educator | Innovator in Professional Development

Marc Hamilton is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of CDG, Inc., a professional engineering and environmental services firm based in Alabama. With 35 years of financial leadership experience, Marc has led initiatives that have strengthened CDG’s financial operations and supported its substantial growth over the past decade. His expertise includes process innovation, strategic budgeting, technology optimization, and fostering a culture of accountability to ensure long-term success.

Marc’s career spans diverse industries, including engineering services, retail, forestry, and manufacturing. He brings extensive experience working with publicly traded companies and navigating the complexities of corporate finance and compliance. Marc’s foundation in public accounting, honed during his tenure at Deloitte and KPMG, provided him with invaluable expertise in tax strategies, financial reporting, and advisory services.

Marc has a long history of service with the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA), where he served as Chairman of the Board from 2017 to 2018 and contributed to advancing ASCPA initiatives. Since 2016, Marc has been a continuing education instructor, presenting on technology topics such as blockchain, big data, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, focusing on their practical applications and relevance to CPAs. He has collaborated with regional State Societies and spoken at numerous CPE conferences, offering insights on topics critical to the profession.

Marc is also the creator of LearnVoyage, a professional development program hosted aboard a cruise ship. The program combines technical education with a unique networking opportunity, offering workshops on topics related to digital transformation, the evolution of critical tools and skills, and practical application. Participants have expressed enthusiasm for its creative format, and early feedback highlights its potential as a unique alternative to traditional programs. Marc aims to expand LearnVoyage with hybrid learning options and collaborations with State Societies to meet the evolving needs of the CPA profession.

Professional Vision Marc Hamilton is passionate about empowering CPAs to embrace a digital mindset. As the pace of technological evolution accelerates, Marc is committed to helping CPAs understand and leverage emerging tools to remain competitive. He believes that the efficiencies gained through technology are critical to maintaining a strategic edge in the profession. Through his leadership and innovative programs, Marc fosters growth, collaboration, and excellence within the CPA profession.

Michael Brand, Member, BMSS Advisors and CPAs

Michael L. Brand is currently a member in the firm of BMSS, LLC working out of their Huntsville, AL office with an emphasis in auditing and accounting services, peer review, litigation support, and quality management. He has been in the practice of public accounting for over 34 years.

Mike is a member of the AICPAs Audit Standards Board and was formerly a member of the AICPA’s PCPS Technical Issues Committee, is a past chair of the Alabama Society of CPAs Board of Directors; past co-chair of the AICPA’s ENGAGE conference; and past chair and current member of the steering committee for National Advanced Accounting and Auditing Technical Symposium at ENGAGE. He serves as a committee member of the Partners in Peer Review of the ASCPA, and the AICPAs Attestation Standards Task Force. He also serves on the Accounting Advisory Council for the University of North Alabama. Previously, he was chair of the Accounting and Review Services Committee, on the Professional Ethics Executive Committee, Peer Review Board, Joint Trial Board, and Quality Control Standards Task Force of the AICPA.