Carolyn J. Newman, CPA, CISA
President
Carolyn brings more than 25 years of experience in public accounting, auditing and consulting to her role as president of Audimation Services. As a computer auditor, Carolyn directly experienced how computer assisted audit techniques (CAATs) increased the efficiency and effectiveness of audits. She began a personal quest to help financial professionals use technology to benefit themselves and their organizations. In 1992, Carolyn co-founded Audimation to provide professional support and training to IDEA users across the U.S. Prior to founding Audimation, Carolyn served as regional technical director of computer auditing with BDO Seidman where she performed EDP general controls reviews, and developed CAAT reports and training seminars for staff personnel in various offices around the country. As a management consultant, she assisted clients in recruiting personnel, developing business plans and identifying growth and profit improvement opportunities, and worked with attorneys on litigation support projects. Carolyn earned a B.A. in speech from Texas Lutheran University and master's degree in accountancy from the University of Houston. She is an active member of several organizations including American Institute of CPAs, Texas Society of CPAs, Institute of Internal Auditors, Information Systems Audit &, Institute of Management Accountants and Texas Lutheran Executive Advisory Council for the Business School. The Texas Society of CPAs has recognized Carolyn as a CPA Pathfinder. When Carolyn takes time off from serving as president of Audimation, one may find her traveling the globe in search of exotic cultures, delectable cuisine and fine wine. Every two years or so, she and her daughter Dana spin the globe and take a trip somewhere they've never been before...and who says CPAs aren't wildly adventurous?

N. Jill Davies, CFE, CFSA
Vice President of Technical Services
Jill Davies brings more than 20 years of experience as an auditor and manager in the banking industry to her role. As vice president of technical services at Audimation Services, Jill manages the technical knowledge and resources of the company including the Help Desk, training department and internal computer/network operations and the Professional Services Group. Jill and her team create and support the suite of Audimated Apps. She has also been called upon to write IDEAScript programs for industry publications including, The Payables Test Set, Revenue Test Set and Digital Analysis for Accounting. Prior to joining Audimation, Jill worked in the banking industry for 20 years where she held various positions including bank examiner, auditor, credit analyst, loan officer, operations manager and chief operating officer (COO). As COO, Jill managed computer operations for an independent bank. In 1996, Jill joined Audimation as a sales representative then brought her audit and data analysis experience to the IDEA Help Desk. Jill earned a B.A. in international relations from Illinois Wesleyan University and an MBA from the University of Houston. She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). Jill has certainly earned her stripes as a technology expert and programmer, but she's also spent the past four years training in martial arts and has earned a 1st Dahn Black Belt in Kuk Sool Won.

Donald E. Sparks, CISA, CIA, ARM
Vice President of Industry Relations
Don Sparks brings more than 30 years of experience in finding significant errors and fraud using data analysis software to his role as vice president at Audimation Services. Don has 24 years of experience in the property casualty insurance industry including, 12 years as a chief audit executive and corporate director. He also served as assistant vice president for The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) where he was responsible for reviving the Global Auditing Information Network benchmarking services. While at the IIA, Don created online forums for chief audit executives, which quickly grew into a network of nearly 2,500 active participants and hosted webcasts on topics such as, "The Internal Auditor's Role in Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002." Most recently, Don served as a director with RSM McGladrey where he worked with several clients to achieve SOX 404 IT compliance controls. Don joined Audimation in 2006 to share his extensive internal auditing and technical expertise with IDEA users by leading user group sessions, writing white papers and maintaining relationships with industry associations. In his current role, Don helps companies improve their internal audit function and recover from fraud. Don earned a B.S. in accounting from Eastern Illinois University. He is a member of The IIA and currently serves on the Advanced Technology Committee, and a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) where he where he currently serves as Vice President of the Orlando Chapter and volunteers on the International Education and Dissemination Committee. While Don is well known in the industry for tracking fraud, he is also known as a track star for earning the designation of NCAA All-America in cross country.

Professional Services:

Carol A. Ursell, CPA
Director of Training
Carol Ursell has more than 30 years of experience in both public accounting and industry. She joined Audimation Services in 1998 to help establish the company's training department. Her extensive knowledge of computer systems and data analysis expertise led Carol into her current role as director of training. Prior to joining Audimation, Carol was an accounting manager and audit coordinator for Cabot Oil & Gas. While at Cabot, she gained experience with AS/400 query tools and was involved in the accounting management side of converting an IBM mainframe to an AS/400 system. She also worked for Arthur Andersen in the audit department. Having worked in both industry and audit, Carol easily finds balance between the IT and data analysis sides of accounting. For more than 10 years, Carol has trained users on new software applications. As director of training with Audimation, she is responsible for developing course curriculum, updating materials for new product releases and scheduling both public and on-site training sessions. While Carol never thought she would teach others for a living, she has earned the respect and praise of nearly everyone who attends one of her training sessions. She is a dynamic and knowledgeable presenter, and is often called upon as a speaker. Carol earned a B.B.A. in accounting from Southwest Texas State University and is a certified public accountant (CPA). She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Texas Society of CPAs. For the past three years, Carol has participated in the MS-150 - a two-day, 180-mile bike ride from Houston to Austin, Texas. In the middle of her life, she achieved her goal to ride every mile of the race in support of those suffering with multiple sclerosis...and you thought her training courses were impressive.

Sheila Hammond, CGFM
Director of Business Development
Sheila Hammond brings more than 30 years of experience in government and industry to her current role as director of business development with Audimation Services, Inc. She began using data analysis tools for information systems in her work as a financial and business analyst. In 2002, her appreciation of data analysis technology brought her to Audimation Services, where she has helped clients purchase and plan for the integration of IDEA in their audit projects while serving as manager of the sales team. In August 2009, Sheila became a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). As director of business development, Sheila works with federal government organizations to inform them on how IDEA can be used to achieve transparency and meet regulatory guidelines. She also develops strategic teaming relationships within the governmental sector to attract new opportunities and increase Audimation’s market share. Prior to joining Audimation Services, Sheila worked as a consultant and senior-level financial analyst where she managed budgets, provided analytical support and provided management with internal reports. She has also served as director of financial reporting with a public university in Houston, Texas where she was responsible for the institution’s annual financial report and ensured accuracy of the general ledger. Sheila held various senior–level management positions while at the university and is certified by the College Business Management Institute. She began her career as an internal auditor, controller, and public accountant for local governments and non-profits organizations. Sheila earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She is a member of the Austin Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants and co-founded the Perseverance Ministry for the chronically ill in her church. She is a HOPE Worldwide volunteer and has participated in disaster relief efforts. Away from her duties at Audimation Services, Sheila can be found practicing Yoga, stirring up Mediterranean dishes in the kitchen, or taking in the beautiful Austin hill country.

Kurt Johnson
Consultant
Kurt Johnson is an experienced mathematical programmer with a background in econometrics, statistics applied to economics. He joined Audimation Services, Inc. in early 2009 as a consultant to develop customized IDEAScripts and provide customer support for complex statistical audit sampling and data download processes. He provides counsel to IDEA users on how to create valid audit samples that comply with regulatory guidelines. Kurt is responsible for assisting customers with CaseWare Monitor implementations, including working with clients to help determine what controls need to be monitored within multiple business units and systems. He works closely with the IDEA Help Desk and technical teams to assist with the implementation of IDEA Server. Kurt’s extensive network, programming and database knowledge is shared with IDEA users through research, analysis and the creation of new data analysis techniques. In late 2009, Kurt worked with CaseWare IDEA to publish, “An Auditor’s Guide to Downloading Data,” to assist auditors in implementing data download transfers. Prior to joining Audimation Services, Kurt served as a senior economic analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank in both New York and Dallas. In his various roles, he researched predictive indicators of the recent housing market financial bubble and analyzed the Federal Reserve electronic wire network with regard to internal policy concerns and bank credit risk. Prior to his work with the Federal Reserve Bank, he worked as a consultant for Mitchell Madison Group in New York. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Math – Economics from Brown University and graduated with honors. He is proficient in multiple programming languages and has contributed to research published in the Economic Policy Review. Kurt is also an accomplished musician with 20 years of experience playing lead guitar, singing and writing songs. When living in New York, he played for live audiences, and produced and recorded a hard rock album. He’s living proof that music and math are closely related.

Teresa J. Kilpatrick, CPA, CFE
Trainer/Consultant
Teresa Kilpatrick is an independent consultant providing data analysis and management services. She has more than 22 years of experience in the manufacturing and utility sectors as a cost accountant, controller and accounting manager. Her consulting company, Teresa Kilpatrick, LLC, offers a variety of services including performance measurement, cost/benefit analysis for capital spending, sales tax regulations/refunds and traditional accounting functions. Teresa received the IDEA User Award of Excellence for her resourceful and creative use of the product. In 1999, the owners of Audimation Services asked Teresa to share her knowledge by teaching public and on-site training courses. She also provides consulting services to IDEA users including customized incorporation of client files and examples. Teresa earned a B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a member of several professional organizations including the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Dallas Chapter and the East Texas Chapter of CPAs. Her gift for helping others extends well beyond business. She serves as a Praise and Worship leader for the singles ministry at her church and travels to Mexico on mission trips each year.

Barbara Godish, CPA
Trainer
Barbara Godish is an experienced accounting professional, auditor and consultant. In 2004, she founded Godish Accounting Solutions, a consulting company specializing in accounting and internal auditing services. Prior to establishing her own practice, she served as a manager with Wessel & Company CPAs where she was instrumental in implementing IDEA and risk-based auditing for the firm. Barbara attended an IDEA training course and shared what she learned with her colleagues at Wesel & Company. After she left the company, she continued to share her knowledge of the software by joining Audimation Services as an IDEA trainer. Since the fall of 2005, Barbara has worked with companies to customize on-site IDEA training sessions and incorporates the company's files so that the training is specific to the industries which they perform audits. Barbara earned a B.S. in business and accounting from the University of Pittsburg, and she is both a CPA and a Certified Business Manager (CBM). She serves as treasurer of the Auxiliary of Conemaugh Hospital and participates in fundraisers for the Auxiliary and other non-profit organizations in her community. She lives in Pennsylvania where she, her husband and two children, make the most of each season by exploring different activities such as skiing in the winter, and hiking or biking the mountains in the warmer months. You can also find her cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, curled up reading or piping away on the flute.