For the first time in six decades, a Michigan CPA is poised to take the helm of the profession’s leading national organization. Leslie Murphy, a partner at Plante & Moran in Southfield and a former MACPA board member, was named vice chair of the AICPA at its October Governing Council meeting in Orlando. Bob Bunting, of Seattle, was named chair. Leslie will assume chairmanship of the 350,000-member organization in October 2005.

Doing the right thing for the right reason is the challenge and essence of our profession. - Leslie Murphy, AICPA vice chair

As a member of the senior management team at the nation’s 10th largest public accounting and management consulting firm, Leslie is one of the highest-ranking women in public accounting in the country. She’s a prominent figure among Michigan CPAs and with civic organizations alike. Earlier this year, as managing partner of all client services at Plante & Moran, Leslie was named one of Corp! Magazine’s top businesswomen. Crain’s named her among the 100 most influential women in Southeast Michigan.

She joined the firm in 1973, fresh out of the University of Michigan. Outstanding client service and leadership skills led to a partner position in 1983.

A self-proclaimed “change agent,” Leslie used those leadership skills to help initiate work-life programs and policies to enhance the firm’s ability to attract and retain talented staff and provide growth opportunities for all members of the firm. The ground-breaking policies she launched helped to pave the way for the firm’s recognition from Fortune Magazine as one of the nation’s “100 Best Companies to Work” for the past six years.

She also played a major role in weaving the firm’s principles and core values into the fabric of daily work life at Plante & Moran.

“I was very blessed to have spent a lot of time with Frank Moran to help institutionalize some of the core values of the firm,” says Leslie. Her efforts in re-drafting the firm’s core values and principles resulted in development of a commitment statement, which, she explains, is a core piece of ideology that continues to guide the firm today. She’s also led the development of the firm’s strategic plan over the past several years.

What does this new AICPA position mean for Leslie?

“It’s an incredible honor,” she says. “At the same time, it’s an incredible challenge. I am humbled at being selected. And, I am very grateful for my firm’s support.”

In fact, she says, taking on such a huge volunteer responsibility wouldn’t be possible without her partners’ support. That support, she adds, comes from the firm’s deep-seated commitment to contribute to the advancement of the profession.

And it’s no small commitment. Leslie expects to spend about one-third of her time on AICPA business over the course of this next year, and one-half of her time once she becomes chair. Primary responsibilities this year include increased board duties, along with a fairly heavy load of travel and speaking engagements at state society meetings.

To adjust for the AICPA’s demand on Leslie’s time, her role within Plante & Moran has changed. Though her day-to-day responsibilities have been reduced, Leslie remains a member of the senior management team with responsibility for consulting services.

Leslie draws strength and inspiration from family. She grew up in Detroit with hard-working parents who never set limits on what their children could achieve. And she gets a lot of support from her husband, Terry, two grown daughters and three young grandchildren. A retired Arthur Andersen partner, Terry is a consummate volunteer, working with children in inner-city schools, mentoring principals, helping non-profits through the Detroit Executive Service Corp and various other non-profit board related work.

Excited about the year ahead, Leslie seems to derive energy and direction from a profession that she’s very passionate about. She’s anxious to help move the profession forward on critical issues Bob Bunting mentioned in his inaugural address such as peer review transparency, student recruitment, quality and adjusting to regulatory changes.

Leslie sees the changes in corporate governance and challenges facing the profession as an opportunity. ”There’s never been a time when it’s been more important to help clients address their needs. An optimist by nature, I look at these times for the opportunity they present to help clients.

“Doing the right thing for the right reason is the challenge and essence of our profession,” says Leslie. “We live with a highly developed code of ethics and values … it’s what guides and motivates me every day.”

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