Barry Melancon will be retiring as the CEO of the AICPA at the end of December. Barry had an extraordinary career with great achievements leading the accounting profession forward and into a bright-looking future. Stanley Goldstein, a founder of Goldstein, Golub & Kessler, one of the largest accounting firms of the 1990s, was reminiscing with me about Barry's being hired and now is an appropriate time to share some of what he remembers.
Sometime in 1995, Stanley's partner at Goldstein Golub & Kessler, Stuart Kessler told Stanley he was part of the committee finalizing the selection of the new president. Stuart had previously served as the chair of the New York State Society of CPAs, and he then moved on to a leadership role at the AICPA. Needless to say, Stanley and the other partners at GGK were extremely proud of Stuart's leadership roles. (A previous column about Stanley Goldstein can be
Stuart said they were down to nine candidates for the role of president, with one of them, a guy from Louisiana, clearly rising above the group. The president (now president and CEO), is a paid full-time-plus position, while the role of chair is held by a volunteer AICPA member but requires about 10 to 12 hours a week. Stuart asked Stanley about how he felt he would mesh with Barry, since they seemed to be from different parts of the country with different cultures.
Stanley reminded Stuart of their early encounters as past and incoming presidents of the newly formed Brooklyn College Accountants Alumni Association and their interactions getting it started and their differences of opinion on how to proceed. It turned out they both had a focus on the ultimate goal of helping undergraduates navigate their future entry into the profession. Well, Stanley told Stuart that he and Barry would likely both be concerned about strengthening the profession and moving it into the future, which seemed as bright and optimistic as ever, and that should bind them into a comfortable working relationship.
Stanley's many conversations with Stuart guided Stuart's focus on the main issues of building on the foundation of accounting principles, ethics and independence, while also adding the tools and training to equip its members with what they needed to better serve their clients and the public interest. Barry's initial entry into his role at the AICPA and collaboration with Stuart created the start of the unbelievable results Barry obtained.
That was 30 years ago, and the search committee's deliberations, decision and results clearly speak about the success of Barry Melancon's true leadership role. The AICPA, combined with the CIMA (a merger that Barry spearheaded), is the largest accounting membership organization in the world. This growth, authority and recognition was led by the clear, focused and determined drive of Barry Melancon. While he will be missed, he has certainly earned and deserves a comfortable retirement.
Barry will be giving his final presentation at the Accountants Club of America on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and it is open to everyone virtually (with a small charge for nonmembers) and in person.
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