As part of this year’s Top 100 Most Influential People survey, Accounting Today asked, “What is the most important issue currently facing the accounting profession?"
The full responses of all the candidates are below. The full T100 list is available
Focus equally on building your leadership acumen and your technology and analytical skills. Both will be foundational as our profession continues to evolve.
Flexibility, agility and innovation will be key to your ability to remain strategic while also enabling you to pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances. If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it is that external circumstances can require us to adapt even the best laid plans; however, we can do so in a way that still supports our underlying strategy.
—Joe Adams, managing partner and CEO, RSM US
Do not hold onto any knowledge. Be an open book. There are so many fish in the sea and by us sharing knowledge we can grow each other and push the profession that much further ahead.
Also get exposure to as much as you can. Don’t be idle. Our volume of clients is what allows us to hit as many situations and solutions as we do and that.
— Marjorie Adams, CEO, Fourlane
First and foremost, this is a great profession with many directions to move in and areas on which to focus. I get to serve as a trusted advisor, and that’s still an empowering feeling for me. If you’re looking for a profession where people seek out and follow your advice as a result of their trust in you and your credential, the accounting profession is the place to be.
— Sona Akmakjian, global head of strategic accounting partnerships, Avalara
Influencers need to recognize that the dynamic of what our profession delivers is changing. The definition of A&A is shifting from Audit and Accounting to Assurance and Advisory. Influencers need to understand that the audit of financial statements as we know it has a finite shelf life and is rapidly losing any remaining relevance to clients and stakeholders. But there will be a continuing need for assurance in the future. Real-time assurance of data flows, cyber assurance, and assurance around the blockchain are all examples of areas where auditors can uniquely position themselves to provide the services that stakeholders will demand.
Influencers need to stay relevant and current with what’s changing in business processes and the use of technology. They need to help people and firms adapt to those changes. The technology providers to the profession are evolving their tools faster than CPA firms are embracing them. The technology providers are looking at provocative ways to use these tools and will seek out other markets to sell them to if CPA firms aren’t interested. Instead of trying to replicate the current state using technology, influencers need to tell auditors to start with a blank screen to build the future state, and then find the tools that will support that.
—Alan Anderson, founder and president, Accountability Plus
The accounting profession and the accounting industry is changing at an incredibly fast pace. Technology, data science, and new business models for tax and accounting firms are reshaping the industry. Despite all this change, the basic principles of accounting are still important. As a future influencer, it’s important to identify the technology and “next great thing” to help propel the profession forward. A true change agent and influencer will look at what could be versus what is today, decide what needs to be done to help the profession get to that next level, and then help make it a reality.
— Andrew Argue, CEO and co-founder, Corvee
We have to challenge ourselves to break from the status quo. It’s a very comfortable place, doing the same things the same way for a long time. Change, by comparison, is the least comfortable thing. We’re in an incredibly privileged position—our relationships with our clients allow us to reenvision the role we play in their lives. Such a shift requires thinking outside the box, ensuring people feel empowered to bring new ideas to the table and finding new ways of doing things rather than feeling constrained by what we’ve done in the past. Ultimately, that’s what leadership is all about.
— Matt Armanino, CEO and managing partner, Armanino
My high-level guidance to future influencers would lead with the blunt reality and challenge of tax being hard and complicated. The ability to stay on top of tax specific content with a viewpoint on the convergence of the industry with technology is key. Strong influencers do that while keeping the engagement with followers relatable and relevant.
— Liz Armbruester, SVP, global compliance operations, Avalara
The best investment you’ll make is in yourself—your intellectual capital. Never stop learning, and even more importantly, unlearning. Author Alvin Toffler summed it up best: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Perhaps most importantly, leaders are readers. Read outside of the profession, and don’t be afraid to challenge the orthodoxies of the profession. To the young accountants I would emphasize that below the age of 40-45 are your peak innovation years; that is the time to take your biggest risks, including failure. Take Walt Disney’s advice to heart: “I think it's important to have a good hard failure when you're young. I learned a lot out of that. Because it makes you kind of aware of what can happen to you. Because of it I've never had any fear in my whole life when we've been near collapse and all of that.”
— Ron Baker, founder, VeraSage Institute
Our profession has an important role to play as the world becomes more and more complex. We can help a diverse stakeholder group to negotiate these tensions and intricacies in order to decide the best use of their resources. Thus, accountants have to be critical thinkers as well as accomplished technicians so that we can continue to make a meaningful difference to our societies.
— Andreas Barckow, chair, International Accounting Standards Board
Work hard, be a lifelong learner and always take time to enjoy your personal life and interests. When able, give back to the profession by contributing to the professional societies (AICPA, ABA, TEI, COST). Also consider spending a portion of your career in government service. I wish I had done that.
— Michael Bernard, chief tax officer, transaction tax, Vertex
My advice would be to lead with principle, and business results will follow. At BDO, we are a purpose-driven organization whose goal is to help people thrive every day. We set out to establish a culture that puts people first, trusting that mindset would translate to revenue.
Digital transformation matters. Resilience and agility matter. Most important, however, is culture. Building a sustainable business that people want to be a part of and that clients what to do business with is the most important factor in the equation of success. It will always come down to how we treat our people, our clients and our communities.
— Wayne Berson, CEO, BDO USA LLP
Get out of the echo chamber. Oftentimes, processes and procedures are retained not because they’re effective but because it’s the way things have always been done. When they get in the way, younger professionals can sometimes hesitate to complain or make suggestions, as they don’t want to rock the boat. I say, rock away. Is there a better way to do things? Maybe a new tool, a new policy, a new outlook? Say it! Successful careers are built not on blind adherence to tradition but on innovation and disruption that moves everyone forward. You are coming into the profession at a time when the rules everyone took for granted before are being rewritten, and through your work and your ideas you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be one of the authors. Think not in terms of what the profession expects of you, but what you expect of the profession. You’ll be doing a favor not only to your own career but those of all CPAs, as the profession is in need of the dramatic change that only you can bring.
— Joanne Barry, executive director and CEO, New York State Society of CPAs
Build a new generation of partners who are passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to become more successful.
— Chandra Bhansali, co-founder, AccountantsWorld
The more you’re able to raise your value, the more relevant you’ll become. Always look to develop new skills, even if they seem outside of your direct area of expertise, and let your peers and clients know everything you have to offer.
— Sharada Bhansali, co-founder, AccountantsWorld
Don’t get too comfortable with the steady state and current way of doing things. The speed of change and the importance of reacting quickly and positively is paramount if the accounting profession is to remain relevant.
— Ken Bishop, president and CEO, NASBA
Encourage technology and change. Change should be a constant and it will be driven by technology. Also encourage diversity. Our profession will only evolve if all perspectives are represented. Influencers should, themselves, be inclusive and continuous learners so that they can be a part of driving change.
— Joel Black, chair, GASB
It’s your responsibility to deliver the hard truths.While it’s not comfortable most of the time and the reception can be difficult, you will gain the respect and appreciation of those you help along the way.
— Jim Boomer, CEO, Boomer Consulting Inc.
Advisory and consulting services are a team sport. Focus on your unique abilities and build your team based upon their unique abilities and the clients’ needs and wants.
— L. Gary Boomer, founder, visionary & strategist, Boomer Consulting Inc.
Don’t rush it! Don’t force it! Just let it happen. Just be you and immerse yourself in your space. True influencers rise to the top when potential followers begin to realize you are the best of the best on a specific subject matter. Most of all, show your passion for what you do and let it scream!
— Jim Bourke, Managing director of advisory services, WithumSmith+Brown
As we move forward, we acknowledge the critical role of the profession in building trust in markets and society. Confidence in the quality of information is necessary for a complex society to function, and markets operate most efficiently when there’s reliable, quality information stakeholders can use to make decisions.
The reputation of the profession can and must increase to match its importance, particularly as we seek to expand the diversity and depth of talent necessary to meet the changing needs of the marketplace. We will address opportunities to meet
our public responsibility and serve clients as they tackle their most important challenges: to build trust with stakeholders and to deliver better, sustained outcomes. I believe the role of the profession will expand to encompass new areas—such as ESG, eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), benchmark information, privacy, cyber risk management, and other vital information.
PwC’s purpose is building trust in society and solving important problems. We see a leadership role here not only for PwC, but for the CPA profession as a whole. CPAs can bring a holistic approach to some of the most pressing items for today’s business leaders. We need to be ready to answer their call.
— Wes Bricker, vice chair, U.S. trust solutions co-leader, PwC US
I think that in order to have an impact, your desire needs to come from a place of giving back and wanting to help others create a more positive mindset and vision for themselves and their practices. It’s not about yo, it’s about helping others, so if you have some knowledge or experience that you want to share, bring it on, because we really do need it!
— Dawn Brolin, CEO, Powerful Accounting Inc.
Pursue new opportunities and experiences whenever you get the chance – you will learn something new and may find the perfect niche in need of an expert (you!).
— Jennifer Burns, chief auditor, AICPA
There is nothing more important than personal relationships. If you care about your clients as individuals, and you demonstrate vulnerability and empathy to your people, everything else – sales goals, practice management, budgeting, technical accounting, motivating the team, workload – will fall into place naturally.
— Noah Buxton, managing director, blockchain and digital assets, Armanino
Be authentic, drive change, make a difference, use the tools available to you, speak the hard truths, and do the work whether or not you get the recognition.
— Arianna Campbell, shareholder and consultant, Boomer Consulting
In simple words, pick a niche you are passionate about and get lost in it. Always think about how you can use technology to produce asymmetric outcomes for you and the industry as a whole.
— Shehan Chandrasekera, head of tax strategy, CoinTracker
Focus, follow your passion and lead with enthusiasm!
— David Cieslak, EVP, chief cloud officer, RKL eSolutions LLC
Be courageous and bold, and hold true to your values. Learn from mistakes, but don’t let them hinder progress.
— Sue Coffey, CEO, public accounting, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Don’t accept the status quo. Be the voice of continuous improvement.
— Susan Cosper, member, FASB; FASB board liaison to the Private Company Council
Follow your passions and strengths and take time to learn about your co-workers’ passions and strengths—especially those things they love doing outside the office. As my friend John Garrett says: “The people you work with are not defined by what they do inside the office, but by what their passions are outside the office.” By getting to know you colleagues’ outside passions, you will communicate, manage and execute better inside the office.
If you enjoy what you do, that positive energy will show up in everything you do. Just because you can prepare and advise on tax returns, does not mean you have a passion for every industry out there. Find that industry or niche that excites you the most and work to become the “go-to” expert in that niche.
Before I founded Tri-Merit, I thought it was important to be a generalist. Now I can’t imagine life without being a specialist. I get to dig deep into a small portion of the tax code and become the expert. I get to share that specialized knowledge and help others.
I would encourage everyone to find that passion and then make that your niche, whether it’s advising on the restaurant industry, becoming a financial advisor at your firm, making SALT your area of expertise, etc. If you can mix your passions with work, it will shine through in whatever path you chose.
— Randy Crabtree, co-founder, Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals
Look at the big picture and the context within which your area of expertise fits. Get to know all your peers and adjacent competitors so you can provide value beyond your box.
— Gale Crosley, president and founder, Crosely+Co.
Have a passion for your chosen area of expertise, connect with other leaders and build relationships with them, be kind, use your influence wisely, seek out opportunities that will help your peers and the entire profession, attend industry events and serve on related committees, participate in developing the next generation of leaders, be patient and stay invested for the long term, have fun and enjoy the journey.
— Kevin Cumley, senior director, Sage Intacct Accountants Program, Sage
Be lifelong learners, continue to update your skills and competencies, become digital literate, enhance your aptitude for climate related reporting matters, be vocal in your companies or with your clients, and use your influence to help drive positive change.
— Kevin Dancey, CEO, International Federation of Accountants
As an influencer of the profession, it is important to know your purpose. Why are you in the accounting profession? Why have you chosen your career path? What are you trying to accomplish? When I began my career path, my goal was to assist the residents of my community which was a small rural community with an overall poverty rate that has always far exceeded both the state and local averages. Because of my passion, I began to study more and attempt to find ways to solve problems or even attempt to find simplified versions of more complex concepts. This passion has propelled me to become a continuous student of not just taxation but also several other areas within the business field. Today, I am able to use my passion and awareness of my purpose to educate others not only pertaining to topics within the tax field but also topics that are related to financial literacy.
— Alicia Davis, CEO, Davis Tax Consulting & Financial Services
Don’t ever become stagnant, even if you remain in the same industry, company, or job. It’s easy to become complacent, especially in accounting, but because everything changes so quickly, you must be capable of reinventing yourself every 10 years, so you don’t become obsolete. Being proactive about your situation and constantly challenging yourself helps.
— Avani Desai, CEO, Schellman
Follow your gut even if it doesn’t look like the typical path. My career was anything but text book or typical.
— Sarah Dobek, president and founder, Inovautus Consulting
Don’t be afraid to use your voice and platform. Speak your truth and name what you see. Let go of any ingrained programming to “be nice,” which is overly focused on not ruffling feathers or causing a stir and leads to silence and complicity. Focus instead on being kind, which is demonstrated through your actions and a willingness to be uncomfortable for the sake of doing what is right.
— Sarah Elliott, co-founder and principal, Intend2Lead
Our profession is amazing and does extremely well. This is the good news but also the bad news. Our success may make us resistant to change. Persuading us to adopt new approaches will take both Inclusive Leadership and Change Management.
Look around corners to anticipate evolving client requirements and leverage technology where feasible but please don’t forget the most important part of the People, Process, Technology equation—People.
Be bold in your thinking and don’t be afraid to note when things are working or not working well.
Challenge us to be better tomorrow than we are today and continue our stewardship and trusted advisor roles.
— Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CEO, KET Solutions LLC
Never stop listening and learning. We have much to learn from others, especially those who have different backgrounds, experiences, and skills. This will be critical toward building the pipeline of future professionals who will further transform the tax and accounting profession.
— Lisa Fitzpatrick, president, Bloomberg Tax & Accounting
The accounting profession enjoys the trust of the business community at a time when misinformation is rife and trust is at a premium. Accounting professionals shouldn’t squander that trust by trying to get clever with business models, technology, and promotion. They need to be the trusted advisor.
— Lee Frederiksen, managing partner, Hinge
I often tell young professionals to not get comfortable in what they’ve already accomplished. There is always more work to be done. I also remind them to not forget to bring others with you as they move along their career paths.
— Herschel Frierson, chairman of the board of directors, National Association of Black Accountants
When you are passionate about what you choose to do, there is so much you can accomplish, so choose well and make your impact.
— Tracey Golden, immediate past chair, AICPA and Association of International Certified Professionals
The best advice I could give is to take a chance, get involved and raise your voice. I took a chance years ago on a cannabis industry committee with the NYSSCPA and, while there were countless meetings, calls and challenges, we were able to form the committee which was the first of its kind. There are new and interesting perspectives that the profession needs and doesn’t currently have. The best way to learn, adapt and grow is to share those different perspectives.
— Zachary Gordon, senior manager, accounting services, cannabis, Grassi
The way to influence is provide good, meaningful content that impacts the profession. My advice would be to find an area that they love and work at that area and spread information that helps the practitioners and clients.
— Eric Green, founder, Tax Rep Network
Prepare for the unexpected! Before COVID-19 entered the scene, I was focused on transforming EY’s business, from the way we deliver innovative services to clients, to cultivating a culture of belonging and equity for all.
I anticipated the implications of a potential recession; however, no one could have predicted the onslaught of crises we’ve endured over the past year and a half. The contingency planning work that my team and I already had underway is highly relevant to the plays that we’re running today – especially in terms of protecting the business, supporting our people and their loved ones, and ensuring that EY ultimately emerges stronger than before.
This multidimensional crisis could have proved to be a huge undertaking, had we not engaged in crisis management planning early on.
And we’re continuing to see the evolution of the audit profession as a result of the pandemic and forced digital transformation. From the evolution of accounting and auditing standards, to the expansion of corporate reporting to include financial and non-financial measures, it will be increasingly important to anticipate change and continue to unlock long-term value for all stakeholders.
We also need to be attuned to emerging risks and the important role we can play as independent auditors. Cybersecurity is routinely identified as one of the top risks corporate boards are concerned with, and we are continuing to see audit committees enhance oversight and audit teams respond to these risks. No matter what is happening externally, it’s important to offer your colleagues and clients as much peace of mind as possible.
— Kelly Grier, U.S. chair and managing partner and Americas managing partner, EY
The industry is tied to Congress more than it’s realized and having that insight and influence is very important.
— Julio Gonzalez, CEO, Engineered Tax Services Inc.
My advice would be to follow your passion and find what gets you energized and engaged. Be willing to challenge the status quo and find ways to communicate your message in an impactful way. Stand out from the crowd. Read everything you can get your hands on. Talk with people constantly, so you understand the challenges and the opportunities. Never stop learning or growing. Don’t be intimidated. View the world with an abundance mentality, not a scarcity mentality as collaboration is powerful. Use your experiences and disappointments to help others, don’t let the disappointments get you down. Be energized by competition, not intimidated. Work hard to make an impact on those around you and do it every single day.
— Angie Grissom, owner, chief relationship officer, The Rainmaker Companies
Read as much as you can, learn from as many as possible, and seek to understand a broad set of perspectives and be able to articulate those perspectives even if they differ from your own.
— Thomas Groskopf, technical director, AICPA Center for Plain English Accounting
Say yes to challenging opportunities. Be kind to everyone. Give back.
— Jeffrey Hales, chair, SASB, Value Reporting Foundation
Don’t fear change. It seems people in our profession like its predictability and don’t like things to change. However, the people who will really lead accept change and the risk that comes with change.
— Roger Harris, president, Padgett Business Services
If you want to be influential you must start with 2 things: 1) Listen and 2) ask questions. You have to understand the challenges and the goals of those you are seeking to influence. Without listening and asking deeper questions you will not be able to know those things – or understand the motivations that sit below the surface. You will also not know the mindset of your target audience – what is their fear? Why have they not accomplished “X” yet? What is it that makes the person who has done those things different? This all starts with listening and asking questions.
— Will Hill, customer proposition strategy lead, Thomson Reuters
As we enter a period of accelerating trends and transformation it is important to distinguish adaptive / transformational change from incremental / everyday change. The difference is in the mindset and skill set needed to lead and navigate adaptive and transformational change.
And remember that the #1 skill is the ability to learn new skills.
— Tom Hood, EVP business engagement and growth, AICPA-CIMA
What you have to say mattersand is important. Focus on being significant to your clients and to the profession. Don’t focus on being successful. Being successful requires you to be focused on you, being significant requires you to be focused on your client.
— Jon Hubbard, shareholder and consultant, Boomer Consulting
I would tell future influencers to stay the course. If you are an influencer, your opinion may not always be popular, and you will not always be popular for having that opinion; however, take pride in being “the first domino.” The first domino must fall before all the others follow suit. Also, take pride in performing the smallest deed rather than having the grandest intention. I can’t even remember the number of times that I decided to do the small things first and not try to “boil the ocean” and wound up having more of an impact.
— Darryl Jackson, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Institute of Management Accountants
Never stop learning. I started my volunteer work through the SALT Program thinking that I had lots to offer being a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and an Enrolled Agent with lots of expertise in business consulting and other things only to realize how little I actually knew. While I have used my expertise and knowledge in various ways to give back to the global community through education, I’ve learned so much more than I’ve ever given out that it’s hardly even fair to call it giving of myself. Once we start to think that we don’t need to learn anymore is exactly when you can mark the end of a journey, a profession, and a life experience.
— Caleb Jenkins, leader, client accounting services, RLJ Financial Services
Leave your own mark. Don’t worry about what others are doing, focus on how you can make a difference and never underestimate the impact that you have on an individual, company or community. And never stop learning! Things are moving at such a rapid pace, to stay relevant and to lead it is imperative to continually expand your own knowledge & expertise.
— Kacee Johnson, senior director, strategy & innovation, CPA.com
Be most concerned about end clients’ needs first. Next, always take care of your team members. Learn continuously and from everyone. Check your ego when you get out of bed every day. Always do what is right, and maintain your professional independence.
— Randy Johnston, CEO and founder, EVP, NMGI and K2 Enterprises
Always remember you are part of a profession that has great responsibility to protect and preserve the public trust. Independence and integrity are of paramount importance.
— Richard Jones, chair, FASB
Our profession needs more authenticity. The leader in you inspires the leader in others. Do not be afraid to be yourself – nobody else can do it better than you. The beauty of this profession is that there are so many avenues that you can take and find success; it’s an ever-evolving profession with opportunities for growth, expansion and pivoting.
— Al-Nesha Jones-Holiday
Be intellectually curious! As a lifelong learner myself, I believe that constantly asking questions and seeking opportunities to learn and grow can go a long way. Be prepared and willing to stretch out of your comfort zone. Every amazing career opportunity I have had is because someone encouraged me—and I pushed
myself—to step toward the unknown. I have been fortunate to have sponsors who encouraged me to stretch into roles I never would have seen for myself. If you don’t have a sponsor, cultivate one! Opportunities abound in our profession—never let “the way we used to do things” get in the way of reinventing the future. And most importantly, people should have fun and enjoy themselves along the way. It is important to celebrate wins, both big and small.
— Kathryn Kaminsky, vice chair, U.S. trust solutions co-leader, PwC US
Be strategic but nimble. It is critical to have a vision that guides you on a path of influence but the path has to have some flexibility to adapt to unforeseen challenges. The last 2 pandemic years bares that out.
I also believe that it is critical for influencers to work on their core skills. Accounting is a dynamic profession. Consciously working on transferable skills that grow qualities such as leadership, communication, presentation, organization, and motivation is critical. Also, looking for opportunities a little outside ones comfort zone will create a more strategic environment where change won’t appear so foreign. The idea would be to position yourself to learn and develop skills that complement the concept of adaptability.
— Edward Karl, vice president, tax policy and advocacy, AICPA
Strive to be the best at what you do to serve your clients, but be cognizant of what is happening outside of our profession that could change it. I learned a lot about information technology innovation and process improvement opportunities by seeing how other industries and business were adopting them and then applying them within accounting firms.
— Roman Kepczyk, director, firm technology strategy, Right Networks
Don’t seek to be an influencer. Find your passion and live it. If people start to listen to you, great. If not, you're still okay because you found and followed your passion.
— Ed Kless, senior director of partner development and strategy, Sage
The world has changed. In the old days, information was hard to find and we relied on consultants and influencers to provide information. In today’s Internet world, all information is accessible to everyone at any time. We, as consultants, advisors and influencers to the profession, need to continue to do much more listening and asking questions of our clients. We don’t necessarily have to have the answer to their question initially, but we have to partner with them to explore new strategies (some of which we’re now experiencing for the first time) in driving to a better solution for their firm.
— Allan Koltin, CEO, Koltin Consulting Group Inc.
Be active in your profession and it will pay dividends for a lifetime, but do it for the right reasons. I hope to leave the profession better than I entered. That’s what I strive for creating better firms, better work environments and great profit and reward. I wanted to help shape a profession that my child would want to enter. Unfortunately he didn’t as he’s a creative writer type, but I have several friends whose kids have followed me into the profession and I’m proud of that. Go recruit and tell others who are not in the profession how great it can be. It changed my life and I believe it can do the same for others as well.
— Mark Koziel, president & CEO, Allinial Global
This profession, and the world of business have never been more dynamic. Embrace this borderline-volatility and push yourself and others to innovate, change, and develop even in the face of uncertainty, complacency and resistance.
— Art Kuesel, president and founder, Kuesel Consulting
Two things: 1) My favorite thing about the accounting profession is the community of helpful people who work in it. Connect with as many fellow accountants as you can and you will be amazed at the encouragement and support you will receive. But you must actively engage and cultivate those relationships. 2) The best influence comes from being a Do-er. If you want to see change within our profession, start by making it for yourself and then for your team. The biggest influencers in our space don’t have the loudest voices, they are the ones who are doing the most to instill change.
— Kenji Kuramoto, CEO and founder, Acuity
Embrace the feeling of being uncomfortable. The rate of change is accelerating so fast that those who embrace getting more comfortable when they are out of their comfort zone, will thrive. My favorite quote is, “a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” (unknown) Embrace exploration and questions ahead of easy answers. Embrace the hard to bring the new. Embrace conflict. Embrace paradox. Embrace different, even opposing opinions. That’s where all the good stuff is. That’s where we truly innovate and move forward and thrive as an industry.
— Brian Kush, principal, co-founder, Intend2Lead
There are some business adages that haven’t aged well. For example, I believe that business IS personal. For many accountants and the clients they serve, their business is their livelihood. For others, it’s their greatest passion. I think passion and emotion in business are an asset, not a liability. We shouldn’t be afraid to own it because it’s critical to earning trust, sparking innovation and serving clients through a pivotal time in our economy.
— René Lacerte, CEO and founder, Bill.com
Let’s help our profession: Think outside the box and focus on creating a happy, healthy lifestyle (something we have a long ways to go with)
— Ryan Lazanis, founder, Future Firm
There's room for your voice. Be willing to be vocal, even if you’re less experienced or have a dissenting opinion. Don’t let imposter syndrome prevent you from being a part of the conversation. You can play a role in shaping the future of accounting even as an introvert (like me). For example, perhaps you decide to only agree to recorded
appearances where you can edit them before they get broadcast to a larger audience. What you say can be just as powerful and equally impactful as someone willing to stand on stage in front of a room full of people.
— Megan Lewczyk, owner, Megan D Lewczyk, CPA
The goal should be to build the enterprise value of a CPA firm. The way to get there is to build the value of each client. Make sure a firm’s actions are building the value of the client. If they are just compliance focused, they may not be viewed as a value-added resource.
— Bob Lewis, president, The Visionary Group
Teach yourself to stay curious. Not that our profession is unique in this manner, but the work that auditors perform, and how they do it, is constantly evolving, and those who choose this career path will have the opportunity to explore so many corners of the business world. In many ways, this work prepares people to start and run their own businesses because of the broad business skills that a career as an auditor gives people.
— Julie Bell Lindsay, executive director, CAQ
Each generation of professionals must face its own challenges and rise to meet them. All we can do is to try to leave our place in the world a little better than when we found it.
— Samantha Louis, CEO, Praxity Global Alliance
Master communication skills – listening, writing and public speaking. In a text heavy world real communication will win out.
— Taylor Macdonald, SVP, channels, Sage Intacct
No other financial professional is grounded as firmly and fundamentally on the values of trust and integrity as is the CPA. Those attributes are more essential and more at risk in today’s climate than ever before. Hold on to the core purpose of the profession while embracing change fully, bravely and deliberately. While services transform, careers morph, business models evolve, the heart of what distinguishes the CPA profession must be preserved.
— Janice Maiman, EVP – reputation and external affairs, AICPA
I would tell future tax professionals to embrace the challenge and complexity. If tax compliance and regulations were easy, we wouldn't be needed.
— Charles Maniace, vice president, regulatory analysis & design, Sovos
The guidance that I would give future influences of the profession is that we all have an inherent responsibility to leave the profession in a better position than when we joined it. For most practitioners, it might just be in how they represent their clients. But for those that have an opportunity to have a greater voice, I’d say use it to the best of your abilities. And as best as possible to remain “party neutral” as influencing the profession is just that – party neutral. Regardless of the party in office, the needs of our profession don’t necessarily change. Further, when going about your tasks, you never know who you might need support from and that support will come from both sides of the aisle.
— Stephen Mankowski, co-chair, National Tax Policy Committee, NCCPAP
To listen and empathize with other people’s points of view no matter how much they may differ from your own. People are complicated. But almost all mean well.
— Gene Marks, president, The Marks Group
Find what you most enjoy in the profession and then find a way to share it in a way that will help and build up others.
— Damien Martin, partner, BKD CPAs & Advisors
Listen to what the market is telling you, question the status quo, continue to look over the horizon at opportunity and take actions now that prepare the profession for the future.
— Jason Marx, president & CEO, Tax & Accounting North America, Wolters Kluwer
When looking at existing rules, look at the standards on top of those rules first. If we try to force topics related to crypto into existing rules, we will sacrifice the standards that were in place before the rules were created.
— Robert Materazzi, CEO, Lukka
No one can be an influencer if there is no one being influenced. I suggest choosing a critical area that is not strongly served and start by identifying ways it can be improved, who the target audience is, and write and speak about it. Getting published is much easier than it has ever been. There are still many traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, journal and periodicals, but social media has opened a wide range of venues. Frequent posting of pertinent short messages followed by directing them to influencers and soliciting comments can quickly catapult someone into an influencer status. It takes ideas and a vision followed by a focus of working at it almost on a daily basis. Careful diligence of about a half hour a day might be all that is necessary, but it starts with the ideas that can cause change and the ability to articulate your thoughts.
— Ed Mendlowitz, emeritus partner, WithumSmith+Brown
Take the time to understand the context around why things are the way they are, but don’t hesitate to challenge the status quo. The profession operates at the intersection of business complexity, technology, and advisory; understanding the profession’s role in each of these and how they fit together can unlock insights and opportunities.
— Kalil Merhib, VP, sales and client services, CPA.com
Rather than trying to predict all the time, focus on adapting, adjusting and looking forward -- from both a personal and professional standpoint. I had my daughter just days after California went into lockdown. This was intense. After months of planning, within a few days -- all of those plans evaporated.
I still plan, but I learned through this experience that focusing on today is crucial. We’ll never be able to predict everything. That’s why being able to adapt and adopt new ways of thinking and operating is so important.
— Ariege Misherghi, VP expert segment leader, small business self-employed group, Intuit
Small things done well. Change takes time and you’re not going to change the culture of an organization overnight. Earn the trust of the leadership inside of your client organizations and make manageable change in small chunks over time. Trying to build Rome in a day will only lead to frustration and loss of trust, whereas small wins built upon small wins will ultimately lead to big change.
— Adelaide Ness, chief learning officer, The Rainmaker Companies
If you have something to say, say it. Don’t be afraid. Your opinion matters.
— Blake Oliver, founder & CEO, Earmark
No one sets out to be influential. You stand up for what you believe in. You stand up for what’s right for the profession. You stand up for what’s best for the people in the profession. And you do this even when the majority of the greater profession doesn’t agree with you or feels that it doesn’t affect their world. Keep talking because one day they will really hear you and come around. And those accountants and firms will be better off because they did. That’s amazing motivation to keep going and challenging yourself to look at things with a continuing fresh perspective.
— Jody Padar, vice president of partner development & strategy, Botkeeper
Pay close attention to not the technology itself but what the technology enables you to do for your clients.
You don’t buy technology solutions, you buy what you can do with it. It could be as simple as understanding what your clients derive from the accounting-related technology they use themselves. It means the interpretation of information and insights. But more importantly, it means connecting such interpretations and insights with the intents and decisions of your clients and advise on what decisions they should make.
People make business decisions based on complex and large data/information now and decisions have impacts. Help deliver better impacts from the work you do for your clients. It means you need to know your clients better, as human beings, as people who make difficult business decisions – or simply miss making critical decisions because they do not have your professional expertise. Delivering your clients the “ability” to produce better “results”, not just “reports” from the software, should always be your single most important goal.
— Hitendra Patil, head of customer success, AccountantsWorld
Be open-minded. Listen. Weigh all factors. Keep in mind the critical role small firms play in the health and success of the profession’s ecosystem.
— Carl Peterson, VP, small firm interests, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
We are all experts in something, but we always encounter issues where we are not an expert. I think it is incumbent on experts to share what they know and to create an environment where sharing knowledge is encouraged and even expected.
— Scott Peterson, VP, U.S. tax policy and government relations, Avalara
Stand your ground on your opinions, even in the face of opposition from the majority. I can’t tell you how many managing partners laughed at us when we tried to convince them to hire remote in 2018.
— Jeff Phillips, CEO, Padgett Business Services
Embrace change, challenge everything and get comfortable with risk.
— William Pirolli, chair, AICPA; co-chair, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Stretch…always. Don’t let perfectionism get in the way.
— Brannon Poe, founder, Poe Group Advisors
I would tell future influencers that talented people will always be the heart and soul of the accounting profession. To be sure, trends like technology and disruption need be top-of-mind for any future leader, but there is an even more durable challenge: Creating a culture that inspires talented, creative, dedicated and ambitious people to join and stay in our profession.
— Bradley Preber, CEO, Grant Thornton LLP
There’s a tendency to think of business – and life – as a competition. In order for someone to win, someone else has to lose. I believe the key to our future is in our ability to collaborate and work with other stakeholders to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions. Each of us has something to offer – we need to focus on capitalizing on all of our collective assets.
— Anthony Pugliese, president and CEO, Institute of Internal Auditors
Many CPA firms have untapped potential for growth and services with higher value. The interest private equity firms are showing in the profession is proof of this. To capture this potential, the profession needs to reconsider the norms that have defined our business model for over a century. There are so many ways as a client’s most trusted advisor we can provide better service in a better way. Our profession, which,unfortunately,now is having a hard time attracting talent, can be viewed as a much better career opportunity by young people if we move to a different way of operating and valuing their contributions.
— Terrence Putney, CEO, Transition Advisors LLC
I’d provide guidance that we need to do a better job of bringing tech conversations into the profession and be mindful of this as thought leaders. When we discuss innovation and where the profession is heading, it’s about bringing people on the journey — whether it’s building up efficiencies and bringing firms online before growing into simple advisory. We don’t want to make the quantum leap seem too far away to them.
Also, I’d say that we shouldn’t overlook the importance of soft skills in our profession. The power of emotional intelligence is just as powerful as having the right technical skills as an advisor. Soft skills allow us to offer good advice and support to small business clients whether it’s having a business planning conversation or offering business coaching. Soft skills around emotional intelligence and empathy are critical to how you interact and build relationships with clients.
Lastly, I’m someone who has spent their career growing up in the accounting profession. For future leaders and influencers in the industry, I believe there’s an opportunity for us to call out what we can do better. We need to continue to support and elevate voices who can inspire change and help make the profession more diverse and inclusive.
— Ben Richmond, U.S. country manager, Xero
- Look outside the accounting profession for inspiration, trends, ideas and role models. Our profession tends to be very myopic—much to our detriment.
- Be INSPIRING for our CPAs, not doom and gloom or parental and authoritarian. Talk about what’s possible vs espousing “you must do this” or “you need to do that” because there is way too much “sky is falling” and partner shaming. Making people feel bad, trapped or like they are doing it all wrong doesn’t inspire anyone. Positivity, enthusiasm, and painting pictures of the lights at the end of the tunnel are far more effective to move people to action—actions to adapt to the changes ahead for us.
— Michelle Golden River, owner/president, Fore LLC
Embrace a proactive business model and continue to educate the profession on why it’s critical to long-term success. Now more than ever, as trusted advisors, we have to anticipate the needs of our clients and offer the services required for clients’ success—before they have to ask.
— Darren Root, GM, Rootworks LLC
- Always focus on people. Always. Relations with people makes the world go round. Clients, co-workers, business contacts, family. Time spent today training, developing and mentoring CPA firm staff is the best investment a firm can make because it pays off handsomely, both short and long-term.
- Think more long-term than short-term. Partners should come to the office today thinking: “What can I do today to position our firm to be successful tomorrow.” We see way too much short-term thinking at CPA firms.
— Marc Rosenberg, president, The Rosenberg Associates
Two things come immediately to mind. The first is to crystalize the purpose of your organization and make it the North Star for all you do. The world is complex, the challenges we are facing have no easy answers. For us at PwC, our purpose — to build trust in society and solve important problems — guides us when the choices are difficult and the path is unclear.
You’ll see our purpose in our strategy, The New Equation — centered on helping our clients build trust and create sustained outcomes. It’s at the forefront of our work with the Trust Leadership Institute. It extends to how we’re tackling social injustice issues, making a meaningful difference in our communities, opening doors to help bridge the opportunity gap and digital divide, and more.
Our purpose goes right down to our basic operations, such as our commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Likewise, it’s present in how we guide our clients to address their ESG issues — not simply to tick a regulatory box, but to create sustainable advantage and value.
And our purpose is at the heart of our foundational commitment to our people. That includes helping them grow their professional and technical skills — which brings me to my second point: Businesses need the right combination of people and technology.
For us, it’s about bringing the best of humans and technology together to serve our clients while furthering the firm’s commitment to quality. We’ve invested billions in technologies and upskilling for all of our people. The New Equation is about being human-led and tech-powered.
We believe that when we combine our people with the best aspects of technology, it adds up to more. It’s what makes PwC people a community of solvers. To connect it back to our purpose, PwC places the most innovative technology in the hands of people who can — and care to — make a difference in the world.
Companies are like people, each with a unique identity. They evolve through experience, through the choices they make and how the world changes around them. And like people, companies need to know themselves. To be true to their purpose while they continually adapt and grow — with technology and the people equipped to apply it. As the world continues to shift, we must look for those opportunities. And right now, I look out and see our next great transformation.
— Tim Ryan, chair and senior partner, PwC US
I would advise future influencers to remain open to opportunities that allow them to use their talents and passion to create meaningful impact. I would also encourage them to be thoughtful creative in their approach to solving problems and consistently seek to serve a higher purpose than themselves in their professional journey.
— Guylaine Saint Juste, president and CEO, National Association of Black Accountants
Be intellectually curious and adaptable. From changes in technology and investor needs to changes in our working environments, it is important to be continuously looking for ways to listen to and respond to feedback.
— Hillary Salo, technical director, FASB; chair, Emerging Issues Task Force
Always remember we are all in this together as members of the profession so take the time and invest in the greatest assets that our profession has – its people and the clients that we serve. Mentor and guide members of the profession early on in their careers and throughout their careers for the need to properly serve their clients with unbridled integrity, the highest code of ethics while always remaining humble and grateful for all those that contributed to their growth and success over the years. Finally, always remember and never forget to give back to your communities to help those in need. We have been blessed with good fortune and we need to lead by example and pay it forward together for the future generations to come.
— Peter J. Scalise, federal tax credits & incentives practice leader for the Americas, Prager Metis CPAs
The accounting profession has its greatest years in front of it. There are opportunities in the market for profound change and there is a need for the next generation of unique individuals to help influence and drive this change. As an influencer, look beyond the obvious talent and brilliance of accounting professionals. Look beyond the unparalleled trust they hold with their clients. More importantly, look at those bedrock conditions and the profession’s current state as simply an enormous gateway to unbounded potential. If you can calibrate to the right frequency, there is a major mark to be made for the inspiring influencer, especially with those possessing strong technological backgrounds.
— Peter Scavuzzo, CEO, Marcum Technology, chief information & digital officer, Marcum
Enjoy what you do – find your passion.
— Gary Shamis, CEO, Winding River Consulting
- First and foremost, learn everything about the profession, including the trends, influencing factors, and customers.
- Second comes mindset. We’ve all heard the saying, “If it isn’t broke, don’t break it.” Well, we subscribe to the saying a bit differently, “If it isn’t broken, you should probably break it.” We also subscribe to the phrase, “the best reason to change is because you haven’t.” Having this mindset will challenge one to think forward, shaping things for the better.
- Third comes honesty. Not in the sense of right versus wrong but in the sense of being honest about what is really going on. It’s too easy to just go along and not honestly face up to situations.
- Lastly, ask why, then ask why again and again until you get to the core of what you’re trying to understand. In too many situations, people are looking for easy answers to complex problems and issues. Continuing to ask why will get one to the heart of the issue and usually an optimal solution.
— Todd Shapiro, president and CEO, Illinois CPA Society
Figure out what you’re passionate about and then figure out where there is a blue ocean for you to lead and define that area for the profession
— Donny Shimamoto, managing director, IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC
Always strive to learn and follow your intellectual curiosity. If you see or hear of a person working in an interesting area or on an interesting project, reach out and learn more. It builds your network and helps identify new trends for you to explore and enhance your career.
— Marc Siegel, board member, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board
- Get involved early, whether through your state society or the AICPA. You can start with a conference planning committee or public speaking. Find your passion and develop your voice.
- But it’s never too late to make an impact.
— Lisa Simpson, VP, firm services, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
To help make things better for your team and clients, make them happy, prideful and successful and your business will follow.
— Joel Sinkin, president, Transition Advisors LLC
Invest in technology but never lose sight of the purpose – to further the attainment of your businesses’ goal.
— Alex Solomon, co-president and co-founder, Net at Work
Invest in technology but never lose sight of the purpose – to further the attainment of your businesses’ goal.
— Ed Solomon, co-president and co-founder, Net at Work
Talk is cheap! Roll up your sleeves, paint a picture of the future, then most importantly show an example of that future in action. Execution is the only thing that matters at the end of the day.
— Jason Staats, partner, Brenner
Don’t be afraid to innovate, try new things and be more than just a change manager, be a change leader!
— Marc Staut, shareholder, chief innovation & technology officer, Boomer Consulting
I’ve met a lot of people who say a lot of the right things, but fall short when it comes to real action. It’s easy to be the loudest person in the room. It’s harder to be the person who speaks less, but has more to say and more importantly, follows through. True influence is about acting in a way that causes others to step up. It’s caring about the outcome and doing what you can (or helping others do what they can) to achieve the outcome you want. That said, you have to also be courageous enough to step forward and offer your insights and ideas, listen to other points of view and develop the meaningful relationships that multiply your reach. The late Ruth Bader Ginsberg said it best: “Fight for the things you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” To future influencers I would say work every day to influence through action—hopefully in a way that will inspire others to act as well.
— Carrie Steffen, co-founder and president, The Whetstone Group
Things are never as complicated as you initially think. The accounting profession has a myriad of specialties and areas of practice with some being more complicated than others. But I’ve found that even the most complex niche areas or technical subjects, such as public accounting or asset impairment issues, usually have a sound and rational basis behind them. Once you understand that core principle or principles, you’re in a far better position to fully grasp the basic tenets of the issue regardless of its complexity.
— Stan Sterna, vice president, Aon
Despite the changes we deal with in the profession every day, this is and always will be a people business. Never lose sight of that. We often get bogged down in the “technical” details of this profession, whether it be the minutiae of the tax code or financial statement regulations. However, what our clients value is addressing their pain points and solving problems that make their lives better. This philosophy is key to influencing the profession for the better in the future.
— Mark Stewart Jr., president, National Conference of CPA Practitioners
Be bold. Say the quiet stuff out loud. Rattle the cages of the powerful, the entrenched, the institutional. Fight like hell. And when you've won one fight, go look for the next one. Stay a step ahead.
— Rick Telberg, CEO and founder, CPA Trendlines Research
Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and try something new. Just because something has always been done one way or another, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth exploring a new way. There are a lot of great practices established in many firms, but there are also a lot of firms with outdated practices with opportunities to help them modernize and grow.
For example, when helping firms with marketing, many of them have relied solely on referrals. Helping them implement marketing into their firms is new. Of course, marketing is just one area where we assist them to think about new ways of doing things. Let’s take processes for example. It could be something like better process documentation, optimizing existing processes, finding new processes, or suggesting new technology.
Whether you're a staff member or partner at a firm, you matter and can contribute to making it a better place!
— Katie Thomas, owner, Leaders Online
I would recommend future influencers become good listeners. People have a tendency to talk before they know all of the issues. To me, when I came into the role as CEO and executive director at the NJCPA, I immediately set up one-on-one meetings with managing partners and sole practitioners to find out what they were struggling with and what the NJCPA could do for them. This was a better approach than simply telling them my agenda from the start.
— Ralph Thomas, CEO and executive director, New Jersey Society of CPAs
We have a great profession where you can make a difference with multiple career paths, entry points and outcomes. “Accounting” has become so relevant and influential across the value chain of the organization, not just in protecting value but also in generating new value. Accounting is now interdisciplinary, involving finance, technology, analytics, operations/supply chain, and strategy. Accountants truly make a difference for organizations and society with their commitment to ethics as well as competency building in DE&I, sustainable business management, internal controls, risk management, and much more. We need to do a better job of telling our story to students and millennials.
— Jeff Thomson, president and CEO, Institute of Management Accountants
Build, nurture, and maintain your network. It is not uncommon for the accounting profession to look to its “influencers” to get insight into what's next and what new ideas
they should adopt or make their own. They also look to these people for creativity and motivation, sometimes outside their comfort zone, to accomplish something new and different.
When you connect with your network, it’s important that you listen with a sense of curiosity and a desire to understand. You also have to share back from a place of humility and empathy for your colleagues.
— Twyla Verhelst, head, accountant channel, FreshBooks
Get involved with influencing change. Tax administration is largely controlled by our governments and limited by their lack of funding and resources. And that means that over 50 different agencies are making rules for individuals and businesses to comply with and creating systems and processes for us to all navigate. Find out how you can get involved in industry association groups that work with the tax agencies so you can help influence the direction of policy in terms of the specific areas of tax that apply to you.
— Wendy Walker, solutions principal, Sovos
To influence the profession, you should look for influencers outside the profession
— Kyle Walters, partner, L&H CPAs and Advisors
Help people get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
— Charles Weinstein, CEO, Eisner Advisory Group
Embrace all aspects of yourself and be as authentic as you can. Don’t doubt yourself or what you contribute to the world. We need to hear everyone’s voice, no matter how different it might be.
— Geni Whitehouse, countess of communication, Even a Nerd Can be Heard, The Impactful Advisor, Solve Services, www.bdcocpa.com
Say the hard things! When you have an opportunity to give a leader in a firm a nudge to do the right thing even if it’s hard, push them! We have very good people in this profession, but sometimes they get a little too comfortable. They need us to help them get a little uncomfortable.
— Sandra Wiley, president, Boomer Consulting Inc.
Strive to solve problems, not just point them out. Be authentic and true to yourself and your core beliefs in all that you do. If you want to change the way people think and behave, you will regularly encounter resistance and detractors to your ideas. Don’t expect to win a popularity contest or make everyone happy with your ideas.
— Jennifer Wilson, co-founder and partner, ConvergenceCoaching LLC
Stay connected to the front lines – to the practical issues and challenges facing the accounting profession. You can do this by continuing to operate an accounting practice (however small that practice may be) or through one-on-one coaching/mentorship of practicing accountants.
— Joe Woodard, CEO, Woodard Events
In our industry, it’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspect of what we do—accounting standards, compliance requirements, etc. There is a lot of work, and quality is critical. However, at the end of the day, we are a people business. Forming relationships with our clients, our colleagues, and leaders in the profession helps us grow our knowledge and skills, and it also brings personal enjoyment to our day to day jobs. My advice would be to prioritize genuine relationships with your peers, beyond a LinkedIn connection.
— Candace Wright, chair, Private Company Council
If you want to become an influencer in the accounting profession, you need to technically master your craft. To do that, when you start your day, I recommend avoiding the temptation of opening your email and getting sidetracked before the first cup of coffee hits. Instead, spend your first hour every day reading up on current developments. It could be a court decision that might be relevant for one specific client, proposed legislation that could be groundbreaking for every business out there, or an article written by colleagues at another firm. Over time, your knowledge base will grow substantially, and your studying will pay dividends in ways you could never imagine when you first entered the profession.
— Jamie Yesnowitz, principal, state and local tax leader, Washington national tax office, Grant Thornton
To the future influencers of the accounting profession I would hope they would be flexible and open to hearing new ideas and learning about new approaches to doing traditional tasks. The future influencers also need to acknowledge and recognize others that help them accomplish goals. Taking credit for successes alone isn’t how you become an influencer. Bring others with you!
— Diane Yetter, president and founder, Yetter Consulting Services & Sales Tax Institute
It’s important to voice your opinion about issues and your perspective about what you’re experiencing throughout your profession. There are many ways of doing this including the submission of op-eds, articles CPA community posts or comment letters. I also write press releases on various topics throughout the year, posting these on social media and sending them to members of the press and clients. I have done many interviews with print and broadcast press over the years, some including my accounting songs.
— Steven Zelin, managing member, Zelin & Associates CPA
Focus on the outcomes people & businesses want to accomplish and let’s help them get there.
— Martin Zych, CEO, Jirav
