Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA
2025 Most Powerful Women in Accounting
Managing Partner
AAFCPAs
Career Highlights from the Past Year
- Served as Chair (and now Immediate-Past Chair) of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Co‑Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, helping shape global priorities for our profession and share best practices across markets.
- Delivered keynotes and talks around the country on future‑ready firm models, inclusive cultures, and leadership. Including ENGAGE, Digital CPA, the AICPA/CIMA Women’s Global Leadership Summit, over a dozen international, national, and state societies, and at future-focused firms partnership retreats.
- Advanced advocacy for innovation and people‑first cultures: championed technology adoption, explored new service models, and continued mentoring women leaders.
- She’s been featured and shares insights in the Journal of Accountancy, Accounting Today, and Financial Management (AICPA & CIMA).
- Recently celebrated recognition among Top 100 Women‑Led Businesses in Massachusetts (2025) and Boston Business Journal ICON Awards—a testament to our team’s performance and impact.
Outreach in the Accounting Profession Beyond My Firm
- Promoting the pipeline: spoke at high schools, Universities and student events about the opportunities in accounting, encouraging the next generation to consider the CPA path.
- DEI advocacy: championed inclusion and equity as opportunities to strengthen our organizations and our profession, urging leaders to build environments where everyone can thrive.
- Mentorship & community: engaged with regional and national initiatives (e.g., BBJ Mentoring Monday) and collaborated across firms to elevate best practices. Spoke at FEI’s (Financial Executives International) Boston Chapter on the evolving role of CFOs in a technology forward profession.
Podcasts / Books / Blogs / Websites / Publications I Turn to for Professional Development
- Podcasts:
- Journal of Accountancy podcast—episodes on leadership and power skills.
- Books:
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek—staples I recommend to rising leaders. Think Again by Adam Grant which reminds us of the power in listening to differing views and GRIT by Angela Duckworth because grit is what got me to where I am today.
- Anticipatory Organization by Daniel Burrus — a framework for leveraging hard trends and future-focused thinking so organizations anticipate change rather than react to it, avoiding being caught flat-footed by disruption.
- Websites / Publications:
- Journal of Accountancy, FM Magazine (Financial Management), Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisory and Boston Business Journal—for trends, leadership, and the evolving advisory landscape.
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Tags: Accounting
