AICPA Recognizes Five Individuals with 2021 Outstanding Young CPA Award

NEW YORK (June 14, 2021) —  The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has recognized five practicing CPAs with the 2021 AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award in Honor of Maximo Mukelabai. The announcement was made on the Young CPA Network Facebook page.

The annual award, now in its tenth year, recognizes CPAs under age 41 who personify a commitment to the profession, as demonstrated through successful practices and involvement in and contributions to the interest of the accounting profession. This is the first year in which more than one person was selected for the honor.

“These five individuals have done incredible things in their relatively short careers, ranging from hosting leadership workshops to advancing diversity and inclusion in the profession to mentoring high school accounting students,” said Erin Carson, Senior Manager of Young Member initiatives on the Diversity and Inclusion for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (Association), representing AICPA & CIMA

“During a year in which so many lives were disrupted by the pandemic, it is encouraging to see CPAs who embody the values held by Maximo Mukelabai.  Bestowing the 2021 AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award upon them is a tribute to his legacy” said Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA, CEO-public accounting for the Association.

Recipients of the 2021 Outstanding Young CPA Awards are,

Jaclyn T. Badeau, CPA, CGMA, MBA, president of Badeau Consulting in Richmond, KY

A 2013 graduate of the AICPA’s Leadership Academy, Jaclyn has been incredibly active with the Kentucky Society of CPAs, serving in several volunteer and board positions. She is also incredibly passionate in helping others develop their leadership skills and has developed and taught several leadership and ethics courses.

Aaron Clayton, CPA, CGMA, partner with Eide Bailly LLP in Sioux Falls, SD

Aaron is a committed member of the South Dakota CPA Society, where he has served several volunteer and board positions, and he continually finds ways to help his community and the profession. Another AICPA Leadership Academy graduate, Aaron is actively involved with Junior Achievement of South Dakota and regularly shares his experience with high school students during the University of South Dakota’s Summer Accounting Institute.

Jessica E. McClain, CPA, controller with Brand USA in Washington DC

Jessica is an active volunteer with AICPA, serving on several committees and speaking at conferences, and the AICPA Leadership Academy graduate helps other young CPAs through the AICPA Mentoring Program. She also contributes her time locally to the Maryland Association of CPAs and Greater Washington Society of CPAs, providing an emphasis on enhancing diversity and inclusion within the profession.

Erin E. Roche, CPA, CGMA, team leader with Elliott CPA Group in Santa Rosa, CA

Erin volunteers on several AICPA and California Society of CPAs committees and was co-chair of the AICPA’s EDGE Conference Task Force. A 2016 AICPA Leadership Committee graduate, she also contributes greatly to her local community, including past and present roles as treasurer for the Junior League of Napa-Sonoma and the Community Support Network, respectively.

Osei Sencherey, CPA, senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Charlotte, NC

Osei is an active member of the North Carolina Association of CPAs, where he has helped welcome new CPAs to the profession as well as contributed to efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. He also is active in his local community, serving as the treasurer for his church and serving as a Big Brother mentor.

The AICPA created this award to honor the legacy of Maximo Mukelabai, a member of the inaugural class of the AICPA Leadership Academy and the youngest chair of the North Carolina Association of CPAs Board of Directors. Tragically, his life was cut short at age 36.

The eligibility criteria to apply for the Maximo Mukelabai award are:

• Holding the CPA license and being between the ages of 22 and 40
• Being a regular voting member of the AICPA
• Promoting the CPA profession
• Volunteering in activities that advance the accounting profession
• Participating in community-based organizations that improve people’s lives

To be considered for the award, candidates submitted applications and details on their volunteer history, along with professional reference forms from peers, employers, and state CPA societies. A task force of young CPAs then reviewed all qualified nominations to determine the winners.

Questions on the nomination process may be directed to Diversity@aicpa.org. The application period for the 2022 award will begin this summer.

More information is available at  www.aicpa.org/YoungCPAAward.

CPAs and accounting professionals looking to develop their skills and take the next step in their career are encouraged to register for the EDGE Career Development conference July 27 – 29, part of AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2021.

About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and AICPA & CIMA

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) represents AICPA & CIMA. We advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 696,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students and engaged professionals in 192 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members and engaged professionals with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.

About the American Institute of CPAs  

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 428,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.