AICPA Awards P. Thomas Austin Scholarship to Shane Mason, CPA/PFS

LAS VEGAS, June 15 -- The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued the following news release:

The American Institute of CPAs announced today that Shane Mason, CPA/PFS, has been awarded the 2017 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Division Scholarship. Mason was presented the award at the AICPA's Advanced Estate Planning Conference in Las Vegas, part of AICPA ENGAGE.

Mason is the Tax Supervisor at Raich Ende Malter & Co., LLP, a regional accounting firm headquartered in New York City. In his role, he facilitates the tax aspects of the estate planning process and acts as an important issue spotter for clients who haven't considered estate and gift tax planning. When it comes to the role of a CPA in the estate planning process, his perspective is to be as dynamic as the clients he serves.

"With his client-centered approach to integrated personal financial planning, Shane perfectly exemplifies the role of a CPA as a trusted advisor," said Robert Keebler, CPA/PFS, chairman of the AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference. "Using his CPA skillset, he best serves his clients by filtering through the 'noise' to get to what is relevant. His forward-thinking mindset, complemented by a comprehensive approach to the challenging intricacies of estate planning, has earned him this honor."

The annual scholarship is awarded to a CPA who has 10 years or less in the profession and less than 10 years of experience in estate planning. The scholarship covers the cost of attending the AICPA's Advanced Estate Planning Conference, as well as the related travel expenses.

The AICPA established the scholarship in 2010 to honor P. Thomas Austin, a CPA who chaired the Advanced Estate Planning Conference for three decades and is now chair emeritus. Austin specializes in estate and financial planning. Formerly with Ernst & Young (now EY), he serves as a consultant to CPA firms, law firms, and professional organizations.