Oklahoma Accountancy Board Gets New Director

The Oklahoma Accountancy Board (OAB) recently named a new executive director, Ashley Plyushko, CPA. The OSCPA recently sat down with her to get to know her a little better. 

"Becoming the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Accountancy Board is the culmination of a career across government, both municipal and state," Plyushko said. 

Plyushko graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in history and political science and always knew she wanted to work in government. After a brief stint in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, she landed at the Office of Management Enterprise Services (OMES) serving as a budget analyst in the statewide Budget Division.

From there she started her foray into state finance and her CPA journey. Plyushko achieved her goal of becoming a CPA in 2017 and shortly thereafter started a new position with the City of Shawnee working as the assistant finance director and city treasurer. After gaining experience in Shawnee, Plyushko felt the pull of working for the state and returned to OMES where her last position was as state chief financial officer.

OSCPA: What do you hope to implement/improve in your time as Executive Director with the OAB?
Plyushko: Excitement is not a word you hear often in the world of accounting; however, it's an appropriate word for the accounting profession right now. Starting Jan. 1, 2024, CPA Evolution will officially be live. The OAB is actively working to make sure our systems are ready to provide a seamless experience for all our CPA candidates. Outreach will be a huge part of my tenure as the Executive Director of the OAB. With discussions around pipeline and modernization, our ability to communicate with both CPAs and future CPAs is of paramount importance. To achieve this, we will be looking at new ways to reach our licensees and candidates. 

OSCPA: How did your previous experience with being a CPA prepare you for the role?
Plyushko: I have had the unique experience of working for both city and state, both in financial director/CFO roles. Working in these roles familiarized me with both the practical aspects of being a CPA and introduced me to dealing with government rules and laws. My CPA training was an invaluable launching point from which to undertake these challenges. I have now brought the knowledge gained from those government experiences to the OAB to further its mission. 

OSCPA: What inspired you to become a CPA?
Plyushko: Becoming a CPA offers so much to an individual in that you are largely guaranteed job stability, CPAs are in high demand and there are a variety of job options. During my career, I have been a budget analyst, an assistant finance director, a finance director, a CFO and the state CFO. I have also watched those in the profession go from audit associate to assistant finance director and audit manager to city manager. The possibilities are endless. 

OSCPA: What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Plyushko: My free time is largely devoted to spending time with my husband and family. Sharing meals is a pastime that is a large part of family culture. My husband and I often go to museums, plays and lectures. On a less intellectual note, we also love movies, going to hockey games and ice skating!

OSCPA: Tell us about your hobbies.
Plyushko: My main hobby is traveling. In the past twelve months, I have been to a variety of different places including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fredericksburg, Kansas City, Detroit, Chicago, Albuquerque, Amarillo, Branson, Hot Springs and Arkansas Crater of Diamonds. Each of these places expanded my view of the world and gave me new ideas. 

OSCPA: Do you have a hidden talent? 
Plyushko: No hidden talents unless travel planning is one. In that, I am an extraordinaire!