Steve Platau is a Professor of Accounting at the University of Tampa’s John H. Sykes College of Business where
he has served on the faculty since 1984 including two appointments as department chair spanning more than a
decade. His teaching has been focused on tax, auditing, and financial accounting along with the legal & ethical
aspects of financial transactions.
He has been on the faculty of the National Judicial College teaching judges nationally since 1996. His teaching has
been honored with multiple awards including Outstanding Discussion Leader and Outstanding Educator Awards
from the Florida Institute of CPAs. He has presented nearly 2,000 continuing education programs in 48 states and
Puerto Rico.
In December 2017 Steve was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to the Florida Board of Accountancy for a
four-year term. His service to the profession also includes six years on the AICPA’s Joint Trial Board including a
term as Chair, more than a decade on the Florida Institute’s Board of Governors and State Legislative Policy
Committee (two terms as Chair). His clients include large financial services firms, trade associations and
professional service firms nationally.
Steve appears as a testifying expert and works as a consulting expert in large and complex litigation typically
focused on financial issues and the conduct of accountants. Steve began arbitrating cases for the American
Arbitration Association in 1985 and has been a panel member on hundreds of cases. He also serves as a special
master, arbitrates, and mediates cases in state courts. These cases range in size from small consumer disputes
to large and complex multimillion dollar international matters. He is a member of the Large and Complex Case and
International Tribunal panels of the AAA and serves as a trainer for arbitrators.
CPA’s frequently call on Professor Platau to assist them with risk management issues ranging from engagement
documentation and marketing materials to independence, ethics, insurance and firm policies. Steve is an Attorney-
CPA with a career that includes two of the “Big Four” accounting firms featuring industry experience in natural
resources and hospitality franchise accounting. He has published widely in journals including the Journal of
Accountancy, The CPA Journal and Taxation. For more than two decades, Mr. Platau has had a significant focus
in the area of professional liability of accountants.