My Wish List for AICPA Leadership Academy Candidates
Today, AICPA is launching its first-ever Leadership Academy in Chicago - a three-day gathering designed to train young CPAs on issues related to the profession so they can be more effective leaders It is the brainchild of AICPA’s Chair Ernie Almonte.
What a great idea! It not only helps young CPAs realize their potential; it most likely will create some leaders who will rise up in their firms, companies and within Institute ranks. Best of all, it will help promote the accounting profession.
Now that you have the background, here’s my plea to Mr. Almonte. Please educate tomorrow’s leaders on the importance of marketing and communications. I know there’s a social media component to the workshop, but that only scratches the surface.
Here’s my wish list:
- Ensure young CPAs realize that the value of marketing and communications cannot always be measured in numbers; sometimes it’s the value associated with improving a company or firm brand that matters.
- Young CPAs need to speak out on issues related to the profession - they shouldn’t take a back seat to their older, wise counterparts. We need to hear from young voices so that firms and employers can respond to their needs.
- It’s time to shake things up - the Millennial and Gen-Y generations are poised to break the rules. Let’s make sure they do.
- Promote technology to its fullest potential. Remember, these generations grew up with technology from birth.
- Have a plan to stay in the profession. With so many options and opportunities all around us, there are fewer CPAs and accountants in the profession, and the Boomers will continue to leave as they get older.
This isn’t so hard to achieve, is it? I hope to see many reports about the outcome from the Leadership Academy - and have high hopes it will be really successful.
Great post, Scott- It’s important that we help recognize young professionals. Speaking of which-
The CPA Technology Advisor’s 40 Under 40 program is still accepting nominations. If you know of a person in or around the tax and accounting profession who is making a positive mark and helping the profession succeed, then please nominate them.
The program is free and anybody can nominate anyone (self-nominations are okay, too) — whether a professional in public practice, a technology vendor that serves the profession, an academic, or a thought leader who is helping to shape the future of the profession. The only qualification for nominees is that they be under the age of 40 as of Aug. 31, 2009.
Nominations can be made at http://www.cpatechnologyadvisor.com/40under40
Special Note: In Case You Nominated Someone Before June 30
Due to a database malfunction, data from 40 Under 40 nominations that were made before June 30 may have been lost. If you nominated a person for the 40 Under 40 program prior to that date, please resubmit their nomination using the form at http://www.cpatechnologyadvisor.com/40under40. We apologize for any inconvenience and have implemented safeguards to prevent data loss from reoccurring.
Hi Scott,
As a participant in the Leadership Academy, I must say that the academy more than exceeded my expectations. Your wish list is an interesting one. Here are my comments from an academy participant’s perspective:
1. Ensure young CPAs realize that the value of marketing and communications cannot always be measured in numbers; sometimes it’s the value associated with improving a company or firm brand that matters.
– I totally agree with you, and one of the top issues that we (the Leadership Academy participants) identified is the need for enhancements to the “CPA” brand. CPAs are so much more than just audit and tax, and more than just the numbers. We really are about integrity, competence, and professional judgment…the ability to assess a situation, determine the risks, identify the value propositions, and help to execute measurable organizational strategy.
2. Young CPAs need to speak out on issues related to the profession - they shouldn’t take a back seat to their older, wise counterparts. We need to hear from young voices so that firms and employers can respond to their needs.
– There was definitely no lack of willingness to speak out, even contradicting some of the things that Marty Linsky (the Harvard professor teaching us) and Barry Melancon (President and CEO of the AICPA) said directly. Many, if not all of us, went away with things that we were ready and going to talk to our managing partners and clients (for people like me that have our own firms) about. I already found out that one of our classmates from a Big 4 firm got to even raise her ideas to her Market Managing Partner.
3. It’s time to shake things up - the Millennial and Gen-Y generations are poised to break the rules. Let’s make sure they do.
– Perhaps it’s because we’re CPAs, but rebellion wasn’t on our agenda. After all, so much of the work a CPA does is related to making sure that values and principles are followed. However, we did talk a lot about paradigm shifts and helping the “veteran” generations see the value in our new ideas and different approaches. The academy helped to provide us with tools, in the form of change management techniques and leadership skills, to be able to make these paradigm shifts happen.
4. Promote technology to its fullest potential. Remember, these generations grew up with technology from birth.
– Of course on this one you’re preaching to the choir. Being a CPA.CITP, I definitely believe in technology. And while I was the only “IT professional” in the room, the importance of embracing IT and ensuring that we are using it to its full potential in helping to make our work as CPAs the most effective was a very common idea that came up around the room.
5. Have a plan to stay in the profession. With so many options and opportunities all around us, there are fewer CPAs and accountants in the profession, and the Boomers will continue to leave as they get older.
– Everyone was so passionate about the work they were doing, whether it was tax, audit, forensics, controllership, not-for-profit work, or IT. Many of us were already involved with our state CPA societies and the AICPA, dedication to the profession was definitely something that was clear in the room. My involvement with the AICPA committee has been invaluable to both my own professional development, and even just in broadening my perspective on what it means to be a CPA and the important role that we play in any organization.
With all that said, I hope that the AICPA fulfilled your wish list with the Leadership Academy–I know it fulfilled mine and more…I’m still reeling with the knowledge that I gained and the new lenses that it gave me to look at everything that I’m involved with in my life.
Donny - thanks for your insightful and very detailed response. I’m glad to hear the event was successful and am anxious to hear what the AICPA will do with reactions from you and the other attendees going forward. I love your line, “Rebellion wasn’t on our agenda.”