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 Preparing CPAs for the Next Generation of Accounting - Michigan CPA Among 28 in Inaugural Leadership Academy
As more and more baby boomer CPAs near retirement, the demand for talented
younger CPAs who can take their place is high. Fortunately, the number of
people declaring accounting majors and entering the profession is greater
than ever before. With that growth, however, comes a need to provide the
tools and resources necessary to develop today’s young CPAs into the
profession’s leaders of tomorrow.
The goal of the Academy is to groom today’s young CPAs to be future leaders of the profession. Twenty-eight CPAs under the age of 35 from around the U.S. gathered for three days to participate in interactive learning exercises and receive mentoring from some of the profession’s best and brightest minds. “A large portion of the program involved collaboration with my fellow classmates on multiple topics including priorities for the CPA profession, management techniques, complex problem solving, and leadership practices,” noted Lauren. “Since my return from the Academy, I have applied many things I learned into my current job,” she added. “As the premier national association for CPAs, the AICPA takes very seriously its charge to help the profession continue meeting its responsibility to the public,” said Ernest A. Almonte, CPA-CITP/CFF, chairman of AICPA Board of Directors, who conceived the idea. “To accomplish that mission, we must identify and develop our young leaders, people who not only have superior technical skills, but also possess the potential to shape our direction. The 28 professionals we’ve selected have that potential.” “I could sense the excitement for the Academy program when it was first introduced to me by Ernie Almonte, during the MACPA Spring Members Advisory Symposium,” Lauren said. Lauren was selected from more than 120 candidates recommended by employers and state CPA societies. She had to submit her résumé including work history, licensure information, professional volunteer activities, community service, and awards and honors. Additionally, she supplied a statement explaining why participating in the Leadership Academy would be important personally. As part of the program, participants read an article on leadership and submitted a personal leadership case study in advance. The leadership case study provides an opportunity for CPAs to express their real-world business challenges, learn the leadership role they should play in that situation and make actual progress on their challenge while participating in interactive exercises with their peers. This case study is just one of many exercises that focus on the Leadership Academy’s two primary principles: application and engagement. Participants in the Leadership Academy gained knowledge through a variety of lectures, group activities and individual work. The program centered on helping CPAs apply the lessons and develop ideas for both the AICPA and their own individual work environments. Speakers at the Leadership Academy included, among others, AICPA Chair Ernest Almonte and AICPA President Barry Melancon, Marty Linsky, adjunct lecturer in public policy at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, led many of the sessions. In addition to the seminars, each young CPA is assigned to a term on an AICPA volunteer committee or to one from the participant’s state society. Current and former AICPA leaders will serve as personal mentors. The mentorship will help participants cement and personalize the training and will allow them to cultivate their leadership skills. Lauren also learned about the professional value of online tools such as Twitter and LinkedIn. “Prior to Academy, many of us were not using the Internet to network professionally and keep up with the latest industry news. I was one who felt there was too much on my plate already to add another thing to manage,” she said. “But, I learned how these tools could benefit my career; the instructors even helped me set up my account.” Now, Lauren stays connected and “follows” AICPA, MACPA, and colleagues from the program in real-time. “While the Academy was only three days, the relationships are ongoing,” commented Lauren. “Since returning to Michigan, I have been in touch with my new AICPA mentor, appointed to a National AICPA Committee, re-appointed to the MACPA Ethics Task Force, and received a new credential, Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).” Applicants for the AICPA Leadership Academy in 2010 will be accepted in the fall of 2009. Additionally, those who were not selected for 2009 will automatically be considered for 2010. |
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| PO Box 5068 Troy, MI 48007-5068 Phone: 248.267.3700 Fax: 248.267.3737 E-mail: ;macpa@michcpa.org | |
