Any day when you can make a new friend is a good day.

CPA Day was a very good day.

A record CPA Day turnout of more than 200 MACPA members got a surprise visit from Kelly Schulz, the new secretary of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation — the body that oversees the state’s Board of Public Accountancy.

Schulz, a former state delegate who represented Frederick and Carroll counties, was appointed DLLR secretary in December by newly elected Gov. Larry Hogan.

While initially focused on the governor’s proposed budget and finding efficiencies throughout the department, Schulz said she hopes to have “a very honest conversation” with Maryland’s CPAs about where the profession’s challenges and opportunities lie.

“As we move along over the next couple of months, getting together with the (profession) and creating those important partnerships (is a key opportunity),” Schulz said. “… With all of our stakeholders — whether they are consumers or (profession)-related — we want to make sure that a conversation occurs, and that there’s always a seat at the table for everyone to make sure that the processes, the regulations, and the board is working on everybody’s behalf.”

Listen to my conversation with Secretary Schulz in its entirety: