The American Institute of CPAs has recognized six practicing CPAs as recipients of the 2022 AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award in Honor of Maximo Mukelabai.
Now in its eleventh year, the annual award recognizes CPAs under the age of 41 who demonstrate successful practices and notable contributions within the accounting profession; 2022 marks only the second year in which more than one CPA was honored.
“These individuals have done incredible work to help develop and spread the passion for the accounting profession,” said Crystal Cooke, director of diversity and inclusion for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, in a statement. “Their leadership and resiliency through these transitional years have been inspirational to those around them. They have engaged with communities in a multitude of ways, ranging from hosting leadership workshops to advancing diversity and inclusion in the profession to mentoring high school and even elementary school students. These individuals truly embody what the Young CPA Award is meant to recognize.”
The award honors the legacy of Maximo Mukelabai, a member of the inaugural class of the AICPA Leadership Academy and the youngest-ever chair of the North Carolina Association of CPAs board of directors, who died at age 36.
To be considered for the award, applicants must hold a CPA license; be between the ages of 22 and 40; be actively encouraging others to pursue an accounting career; volunteer in activities that advance the profession; and help in community-based organizations. Candidates are also asked to submit professional references from peers, employers and state CPA societies before a task force comprising young CPAs reviews the nominations and selects award recipients.
Recipients of the 2022 Outstanding Young CPA Awards are:
- David Almonte, financial reporting and analysis senior manager, Amica Mutual Insurance Company (Lincoln, Rhode Island);
- Favor Lee, director of business development at EisnerAmper (Dallas, Texas);
- Dr. Adrian L. Mayse, department chair and associate professor of accounting at Howard University (Washington, D.C.);
- Kenneth Omoruyi, managing partner at CKO CPAs & Advisors (Houston, Texas);
- Alexandria Romero, chief financial officer at Pueblo City-County Library District (Pueblo, Colorado); and
- Dr. Sean Stein Smith, professor at City University of New York - Lehman College (New York, New York).
The application period for the 2023 award will begin this summer. More information is available on the AICPA's
