Connecticut CPA Magazine Excerpt - The FASB and the GASB: Meet the New Staff Leaders

By Terri Polley

“It's the most exciting yet scariest  

thing I've ever done.”  That's what Alan Skelton says about accepting the position of Director of Research and Technical Activities at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The successor to David Bean, who had served in the role for 31 years, Alan knew it was now or never. “This role doesn't open up very often. I looked at myself and said ‘if I really want to be the best accountant I can be, how would I not want to take this on?'” Alan officially joined the GASB earlier this year on April 1.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) also welcomed a new technical director recently. Hillary Salo (who was recently a featured speaker at the CTCPA Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting Conference) joined the FASB staff in August of last year as Director of Technical Activities and Chair of the Emerging Issues Task Force.  Hillary was not looking for a new job when she heard about the position opening. What got her thinking about it was her KPMG partner's comment: “Well, that's your perfect job.”  

Looking at the backgrounds of Alan and Hillary, one can conclude that it's the perfect job for both of them.   

Read the full article from the Summer 2021 issue of Connecticut CPA magazine.