2023 Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award

Whether as a proud EKU alum, a member of the University’s Board of Regents, or as a widely known and highly respected accounting leader, Alan Long, CPA, CITP, CGMA, ’79, is a firm believer in giving freely of one’s time, talents, and treasure to help others and to move institutions and professions forward.

Mr. Long was a managing member of Baldwin CPAs, PLLC, in his hometown of Richmond until Jan. 1, 2023. Expanding from its launch in his spare bedroom in 1984, the firm today boasts five offices, 70 employees, and a $12 million budget. Just since 2015, it has more than doubled in size.

He is a former president and secretary-treasurer of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants (KYCPA) and current chair of its Political Action Committee. Mr. Long is also actively involved with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), serving on its Peer Review Board (two terms), Auditing Standards Board, Professional Ethics Executive Committee, and Leadership Council. He is also a past member of the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, a current member of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy Standards Setting and Professional Trends Committee, and a past member of its Compliance Assurance Committee.

In 2003, Mr. Long earned the KYCPA Outstanding Committee Chair Award for his work with that group’s Peer Review Program, and in 2023 for his work with the Political Action Committee. In 2012 and 2019, he was named by Accounting Today as one of the 10 managing partner elite, and he has twice received the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from EKU’s College of Business and Technology in 2005. Mr. Long said his extensive work with state and national associations allowed him to “give back to the profession that I love and, hopefully, drive good changes over the years for the profession and the users of CPA services.” He credits his professional success to his parents, Glenn and Margaret Long, and two former EKU accounting professors, Jack Dyer and Tom Moore, who “instilled in me a love for public accounting and learning about accounting.” He also cited fellow Eastern alum Bob Tarvin, ’68’69, and Gary Boomer (Boomer Consulting) for their mentorship.

As an EKU Regent since 2014 and now as the Board’s vice chair, Mr. Long feels an extra sense of obligation to facilitate his alma mater’s continued growth and success. “Without my education from EKU, I would not have been able to accomplish what I have in my life and career. I believe in giving back.”

Originally published in EKU Alumni Awards.