Amy Boland, CPA – 2025 Most Powerful Women in Accounting
Vice President, Partner and Director, Audit & Assurance
GRF CPAs & Advisors
https://www.grfcpa.com
Amy is an exemplary leader for women in the accounting profession, I draw on my own experience rising through the ranks to actively pave the way for others. I am recognized as a mentor, sponsor, and role model who intentionally supports women in thriving both professionally and personally. As the firm’s first remote employee, I demonstrated that a successful partnership can coexist with flexibility and family, setting a meaningful precedent well before it became commonplace. My leadership has inspired many women to aspire to partnership and has helped retain talented professionals who might otherwise have left the firm.
Commitment to DEI leadership: I actively serve on the firm’s DEI Council and lead the DEI Pipeline Subcommittee, with a focus on strengthening long-term talent pathways into the profession.
Executive leadership: I serve as Vice President of the firm and as a member of the Executive Committee, helping guide strategic direction, operational excellence, and firmwide leadership initiatives.
Service to national professional committee: I completed a final term on the AICPA’s Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC), contributing to national initiatives that advance women’s leadership in accounting.
Leadership during industry disruption: I successfully led the Audit and Assurance Department through a particularly challenging year for the nonprofit sector, maintaining service quality, team stability, and client confidence amid significant regulatory and funding uncertainty.
Trusted advisor to federally funded nonprofits: I served as a key resource for nonprofit clients navigating federal funding requirements during a year of heightened uncertainty, helping organizations interpret guidance, manage compliance risks, and plan proactively.
Driving a technology-forward audit practice: I championed an innovative, technology-enabled audit function by piloting and implementing new software solutions, including a phased implementation of OnPoint scheduled for completion in 2026 and new engagement letter software. The practice now incorporates AI in all audit engagements, supported by a culture that encourages continuous testing and adoption of emerging technologies.
Strengthening coaching and feedback: I directed an enhanced approach to coaching at GRF by improving processes for continuous, meaningful feedback, supporting professional growth, and performance development across the audit team.
Manager empowerment and accountability: I guided the expansion of managers’ involvement in billing and financial responsibilities, strengthening business acumen, ownership, and leadership development within the department.
Elevating quality management firmwide: I spearheaded the improvement of audit quality and compliance by elevating the Senior Manager of Quality Management role and expanding its scope across the entire firm. This leadership enabled early adoption of the new Quality Management standards, positioning the firm ahead of regulatory requirements.
Advancing CPA development and accountability: I led the implementation of a firmwide CPA Accountability Program designed to support exam candidates through structured planning, firm-provided resources, and post-exam follow-up. The firm’s Learning & Development Coordinator significantly expanded engagement with staff this year, leading to a notable increase in CPA exam successes compared to the prior year. Within the Audit practice, exam activity also grew, with multiple exams completed and additional sittings scheduled before year-end. These efforts were reinforced through targeted training initiatives and a firmwide panel featuring recent CPA exam passers, helping to build momentum and shared learning across the organization.
Describe your outreach in the accounting profession beyond your own firm
Beyond my firm, I am actively engaged in outreach efforts that support the accounting profession, talent development, and industry collaboration. I recently completed my final term on the AICPA’s Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC), where I contributed to national initiatives focused on advancing and keeping women in the profession. I also stay committed to building the future talent pipeline by returning to my alma mater, Penn State University, to take part in career fairs and recruit students for internships and externships.
In addition, I engage in international relationship-building through networking with Crowe professionals from around the world, fostering global knowledge sharing and collaboration. I also lead the planning and moderation of our firm’s annual Nonprofit State of the Union, an industry-wide briefing open to nonprofit professionals that offers timely insights on regulatory, funding, and operational issues affecting nonprofit organizations.
What are the podcasts/books/blogs/websites/publications you turn to for professional development?
For professional development, I rely on a mix of authoritative industry resources, practical learning platforms, and timely thought leadership. I regularly review Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC) Alerts for updates on standards, compliance, and best practices affecting governmental and nonprofit audits. I also subscribe to the Galasso Learning Solutions Newsletter for practical insights and application-focused guidance.
To stay informed on broader trends shaping the profession, I follow Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisor, and AICPA and CIMA updates, which provide valuable perspectives on regulatory developments, talent issues, and the future of the accounting profession. I also leverage learning content from LumiQ and LCVista for accessible, on-demand professional education. And, of course, I engage with GRF CPAs & Advisors’ own podcasts, webinars, articles, and reports to stay connected to emerging issues, client needs, and internal thought leadership.
Read more about the Most Powerful Women in Accounting.
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Tags: Accounting
