2026 Accounting & Auditing Update

Meet the Speakers

Torey Stallsmith, National Assurance Senior Manager
Torey Stallsmith brings 15 years of public accounting experience providing assurance services to a diverse client base, including manufacturers and distributors, employee benefit plans, and other commercial entities. As a member of the firm’s National Assurance Office, he plays an important role in advancing audit quality and consistency across the practice. He supports assurance teams firmwide through the implementation of new accounting and auditing standards and serves as a technical resource on complex accounting matters.

John Hansen, National Assurance Senior Manager
John has served privately held companies in a variety of commercial industries, including manufacturing and distribution, dealerships, equipment rental, and others. In his primary role as a member of Eide Bailly’s National Assurance Office, he is involved in providing quality control, standards monitoring, technical accounting assistance, accounting and auditing resources, training, and support to Eide Bailly’s assurance practice. John also currently services on the AICPA technical issues committee private company practice section.

Katie Hulquist, National Assurance Managing Director
Since 2010, Katie has been providing public accounting services to a variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, general commercial entities, employee benefit plans and other compliance areas. She helps the firm stay up to date with new assurance standards as well as creating resources for implementing them.

David Peaden, National Assurance Partner
David Peaden has more than 15 years of public accounting experience providing audit, accounting, and consulting services to commercial, healthcare, and government clients. He has also served as a member of the National Assurance Office since 2021. David plays an integral role in advancing audit quality and consistency across the firm. His work includes performing quality control reviews, consulting on complex technical accounting and auditing matters, supporting the training and development of assurance professionals, and driving the communication and implementation of new accounting standards.

Sara Kurtz, National Assurance Partner 
Sara Kurtz brings more than 20 years of audit experience, having worked exclusively with the government industry throughout her career. She provides technical accounting and auditing expertise to governmental clients, helping them navigate professional accounting standards required to issue Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial statements and comply with Single Audit requirements. As a member of the firm’s National Assurance Office, Sara oversees firmwide assurance staff training and education, ensuring consistent application of standards and a strong focus on audit quality across all levels of the practice. She is also responsible for the firm’s independence policies, playing a critical role in evaluating potential conflicts of interest, managing independence risks, and providing guidance on complex independence matters.

Krystal Elms, National Assurance Senior Manager
Krystal has over twenty years of accounting experience, including fifteen years in public accounting. She serves as a trusted advisor to clients and engagement teams, helping address complex accounting and auditing matters across nonprofit organizations, commercial entities, and employee benefit plans. As a member of the firm’s National Assurance Office, Krystal supports the firm’s assurance practice through technical accounting and auditing consultations, development of firmwide resources, quality initiatives, and training.