Insight in Indian Country Podcast
Trusted Expertise to Serve Tribal Nations
Are you on track for GASB 96 implementation and meeting compliance?
If you’re a tribal government entity using subscription-based software, your financial statements will soon be held to a whole new accounting standard: GASB 96 – Subscription-Based IT Arrangements (SBITAs). Are you ready to comply with the new accounting rules? Do you know what you need to do, and by when?
Join hosts Wes Benally and Mike Dierlam as they answer top questions they received during their October 18 webinar covering the new software subscription accounting standard, GASB 96. Wes and Mike are unpacking some complexities in the new standard so you can comply with confidence.
- Haven’t watched the webinar yet? View it on-demand here before tuning into this Q&A companion episode.
- Questions on implementation? Contact us. We’re standing by to help make implementing GASB 96 easier.
Have a question or want to request a topic for our podcast? Connect with Wes.
REDW LLC is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!

Meet Your Hosts

Wesley Ryan Benally, CPA
REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader
As the leader of REDW’s National Tribal Practice, Wes is committed to improving financial literacy throughout Indian Country and hosts the Insight in Indian Country Podcast. He oversees audits of a wide range for Native American communities, state and local government agencies, and non-profits, nationwide, is a member of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Advisory Committee and serves as an instructor with Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute. In addition, as a Board member for a tribal gaming entity that operates in two states, Wes keeps up with regulatory issues important to tribal gaming operations. Wes is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

Michael A. Dierlam, CPA
REDW Principal, Audit & Assurance
Mike has served tribal governments as an auditor and consultant for nearly a decade, managing financial statement audits and Uniform Guidance audits for both tribal governments and a wide range of tribal enterprises. An enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, Mike is passionate about providing guidance that helps tribes achieve enduring financial success. His greatest satisfaction comes from working collaboratively with clients and colleagues and bringing together a variety of perspectives to solve problems. Mike is a member of both the AICPA, Arizona Society of CPAs, and is a popular speaker at NAFOA conferences and meetings of the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium.
Compensation Studies—Your Key to Hiring & Retaining Top Talent.
It’s important to attract—and retain—the best employees to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your tribal organization. And given an exceptionally competitive labor market and the usual budget constraints, this means basing your employee compensation and benefits programs on relevant and reliable data.
The 2023 results are in! Learn more about REDW’s 2023 Tribal Compensation Survey Reports for Tribal Governments and Tribal Gaming.
More from Insight in Indian Country
- 2025 Tribal Leadership ConferenceFrom June 23-26, 2025 in Las Vegas, REDW will be joining with tribal leaders nationwide to share knowledge and insights on ways to ensure a prosperous future for tribal communities.
- Watch: Ransomware: Are You on a Hacker’s Hit List?Join the Cybersecurity experts from REDW for an interactive webinar that offers five critical defense strategies for safeguarding your Tribal organization, plus our free Cyber Incident Response Playbook.
- NAFOA 43rd Annual ConferenceFrom April 28-29 in New Orleans, REDW will be joining with tribes, state and federal government officials, and leading industry experts to discuss the latest economic issues in Indian Country.
- The true cost of reactive internal controls in tribal gaming operations.As tribal casinos handle more cash than most banks, proactive security measures have become crucial for protecting assets and communities.
- Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium 2025 Spring ConferenceAs a proud supporter and sponsor of the OTFC, REDW will be both speaking and exhibiting at this event.