AICPA Chair Touts Technology and Talent in NASBA Address

AICPA Chairman Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA’s recent address to the 110^th Annual Meeting of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) emphasized the importance of technology and talent in the CPA profession’s evolution.

In an October 27 speech in New York City, Ellison-Taylor said, “As I think about our profession’s success and growth, three questions come to mind for us to consider moving forward: How can we leverage and embrace the rapid changes in technology? How can we continue to attract the best and brightest talent to our profession? And how can the AICPA and NASBA continue to work together to ensure that CPAs continue to provide high-quality services that serve the public?”

From drones, to artificial intelligence, to augmented reality, to blockchain, the CPA profession looks almost unrecognizable from when most of us sat for the exam and started our careers, she explained. “These new technologies make our profession more exciting than ever. They also present an opportunity to show the next generation not only our innovative ideas but also that we are committed to meeting the evolving needs of the public. We can show students the high level of service and the deep value that technology allows CPAs to provide.”

Ellison-Taylor also highlighted the collaboration between the AICPA and NASBA. “This collaboration is critical for many reasons, a key one being that a strong regulatory framework supports the foundation of our profession. As we recognize the changes heading toward us, the work of the state boards becomes even more important. Together, NASBA and the AICPA have worked to create an environment that both protects the public and ensures CPAs are equipped to provide the services the public needs.”