Melancon joins Baker Tilly

Former AICPA president and CEO Barry Melancon is joining Baker Tilly U.S. as an advisor and Baker Tilly International as a non-executive director and chair-elect, effective Jan. 29.

"The accounting profession is at a pivotal moment, and Baker Tilly is positioned to help shape its future in meaningful ways," Melancon said in a statement Monday. "Throughout my career, I've been driven by a passion for innovation and the advancement of our profession. Baker Tilly's commitment to progress, talent development and global collaboration aligns perfectly with that mission. I look forward to working alongside this dynamic team, leveraging my experience and relationships to drive lasting impact across the profession and the clients we serve."

The longtime leader of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants retired at the end of last year, succeeded by Mark Koziel, who spoke Monday at a meeting in New York of the Accountants Club of America. Baker Tilly announced Melancon's new roles at the Chicago-based Top 10 Firm and London-based international network on Monday. Separately on Monday, the American Accounting Association also announced it would be inducting Melancon in its Accounting Hall of Fame in August 2025, along with David Bean, longtime director of research and technical activities at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board; Terry Shevlin, a retired accounting professor at the University of California Irvine and the University of Washington; and Mary Washington Wylie, the first Black female CPA in the U.S. 

As an advisor to Baker Tilly U.S., Melancon will provide insights to enhance Baker Tilly's client service, talent strategies and growth initiatives, while also supporting the firm's strategic alignment with professional standards and industry innovation.

"Barry's unparalleled contributions to the accounting profession, coupled with his ability to anticipate and address future challenges, align seamlessly with Baker Tilly's forward-focused vision," said Baker Tilly U.S. CEO Jeff Ferro in a statement. "We are thrilled to welcome Barry to our team and look forward to the impact of his leadership."

In his role with Baker Tilly International, Melancon will join the board of directors as its first non-executive director and as chair-elect, leveraging his international experience to provide strategic guidance on navigating the evolving demands of the global profession.

"Barry is a transformative leader whose passion for the profession has had an indelible impact," said Baker Tilly International CEO Francesca Lagerberg in a statement. "We are delighted to welcome him to our leadership team, where his influence will shape the future of Baker Tilly globally."