Melissa G. Critcher, CPA attended Appalachian State University where she received a bachelor of science degree in Accounting. Throughout the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to work with small and large local and regional firms across North Carolina. Currently, Melissa, has her own practice located in Charlotte, NC. Her practice concentrates on auditing employee benefit plans and consulting with CPA Firms and plan sponsors. Melissa?s experience has led to various opportunities, which include teaching numerous continuing professional education courses for the AICPA, NCACPA, Surgent McCoy, and CPA firms, as well as, public and privately held entities. She has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding discussion leader by the AICPA and NCACPA. Melissa has also authored several different courses for the AICPA, Surgent McCoy and others, on topics including employee benefit plans, internal controls, and compilation and review engagements. During her career, Melissa has served in various roles with both the NCACPA and AICPA. These positions include serving as a member of the NCACPA Board of Directors and a committee member for the NCACPA Accounting and Attestation Committee, as well as, local chapter positions for the NCACPA. For the past six years, Melissa has also served as a volunteer on the AICPA Technical Standards Committee for Employee Benefit Plans which is responsible for evaluating referrals from the Department of Labor for deficient audits and making recommendations for disciplinary actions.