Michigan City, IN – 7/17/2025 – Following a successful 2024 outreach effort to establish a future workforce in the accounting industry, employees of CLH, CPAs & Consultants have been hard at work already this year continuing the company’s strategic pipeline development mission.
Stephanie Russell, CLH Director of Operations, said the firm has increased its efforts in educating young people about career possibilities in accounting over the last decade to address a declining workforce and raise awareness of the various opportunities in the industry.
“Oftentimes, we are finding in our conversations with young people that they are not aware of the tremendous opportunities this profession can provide,” said Russell, who also spearheads the firm’s pipeline development initiatives. “That is why our outreach is so important. We want to be proactive in eliminating any stereotypes and shine a light on the diverse and dynamic industry this has become.”
As a member of the Indiana CPA Society’s (INCPAS) Pipeline Partner program, CLH employees have been involved in several events in the first two quarters of the year, participating in programs relating to career awareness, educational programming, and mentorship. Representatives from the firm kicked off their 2025 outreach efforts with two career fairs. The first was the Inspire Young Minds Career Fair in March at Barker Middle School, Michigan City Area Schools. There, Russell and CLH Associate Jessica Mitchell met with sixth- and seventh-grade students who were eager to learn more about the accounting industry. In April, Russell and CLH Staff Accountant Kayla Gentry attended the Valparaiso High School Career Expo, where they had an opportunity to help juniors and seniors explore career possibilities relating to the financial sector.
May was an especially busy time for CLH pipeline outreach. On May 5 and 6, CLH Senior Client Advisor Gary Bushue delivered several CPA Week Presentations virtually to students at Hobart High School. CLH partnered with INCPAS for these sessions. On May 9, CLH team members Lisa Human, Partner; Ed Simokaitis, Manager; Seth Bedwell, Senior Accountant; Wyatt Stacy, Senior Accountant; and Reid Schroeder, Staff Accountant, volunteered with the annual 8th Grade Reality Check program, organized by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. During the event, students from Duneland Schools received lessons in financial responsibility. The event is structured to prepare students for what to expect in life as an adult.
Also in May, Bedwell and Staff Accountant Ryin Ott joined community professionals as evaluators for senior projects by students at LaPorte High School. The firm rounded out the midyear outreach efforts with an invitation to Ivy Tech students to tour CLH’s Michigan City office, meet with CLH professionals, and learn more about the industry.
“It is incredibly meaningful for us to have the opportunity to meet the up-and-coming talent of tomorrow and help guide them in fulfilling careers in the accounting industry,” said Russell. “We have exciting events planned for the rest of the year, and we are looking forward to our continued commitment to shaping the workforce of the future.”
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About CLH, CPAs & Consultants: CLH, CPAs & Consultants is a full-service certified public accounting firm with offices in La Porte, Michigan City, and Valparaiso, IN. CLH, CPAs & Consultants’ commitment to delivering high-quality, creative solutions is rooted in their long history of building strong, personal relationships with their clients.
