Accounting
Carla McCall Named New Chair of AICPA
This marks the first time in AICPA’s history that two women have held the chair and co-chair positions in the same year, as Lexy Kessler, CPA, was elected as the AICPA’s vice chair.
May. 23, 2024
Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA, Managing Partner of AAFCPAs, is the new Chair of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). She also will serve as Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which combines the strengths of the AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Separately, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, recently announced his upcoming resignation from the positions of president and CEO of the AICPA, which he has held for nearly 30 years. The organization has started the process of seeking a replacement for Melancon.
McCall was elected to the one-year AICPA volunteer post by the organization’s governing council, which concludes its spring council session today. Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA, Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader for Aprio, was elected as the AICPA’s vice chair.
This marks the first time in AICPA’s history that two women have held the chair and co-chair positions in the same year.
“I have learned to understand the value of our profession. A profession that promotes diversity, protects public trust, encourages entrepreneurship, and stays at the forefront of innovation,” McCall said in her acceptance speech. “Our profession encourages a proactive and dynamic approach to problem-solving and progress, constantly evolves and changes to meet client needs and is at the forefront of issues and innovation to drive trust, opportunity and prosperity.”
During her acceptance speech, McCall thanked her predecessor, Okorie Ramsey, CPA, CGMA, PMP, NACD.DC, for the progress he made during his time as Chair, particularly in the areas of inclusion, innovation and pipeline initiatives. She also recognized AICPA and Association CEO, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, citing his impressive legacy, command of the profession and inspiring leadership.
McCall will focus on three areas during her term:
Prioritize value and sustainable businesses. McCall wants to promote how the profession delivers and provides guidance for navigating the top issues facing individuals, businesses and economies. She also cites a need to drive the focus and identity of the profession to the work accounting and finance professionals do as trusted advisors. “We should not describe ourselves by the products we deliver – auditor, tax preparer, etc…but by the value we add,” McCall says. “It is our responsibility to lead by example in every firm, business and organization, at every level, in every community and country.”
Drive innovation and transformation. McCall cited the need to embrace new technologies like AI, data analytics and other emerging tools to help professionals work smarter, not harder. “The skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world will only continue to evolve,” she said. “We must commit ourselves to constant learning, unlearning, and relearning to remain relevant.”
Power inclusion and opportunity. McCall believes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is a key facet of growing the pipeline of future accounting and finance professionals and is a goal not meant for just her term. She hopes to visit colleges, community colleges and high schools throughout her term to talk to as many students as possible as well. She is calling on all Association members to promote the profession to the next generation of students, saying, “I want to pay forward all the support I received throughout my journey here, and to help, encourage and motivate our next generation to pursue the CPA profession.”
McCall served for the past year as the AICPA’s Vice Chair and has held several other volunteer posts, including AICPA Board of Directors, AICPA Investments Committee, AICPA Audit and Finance Committee, AICPA Political Action Committee, PCPS Executive Committee, and as a member and elected state representative of Council. She is former chair of the board at the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition to being named as one of Forbes 2024 Top 200 CPAs list, McCall was named one of the Most Powerful Women in the Accounting Profession (2020-2021 and 2022) by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor Magazine and appeared on the National Managing Partner Elite List by Accounting Today (2020).
McCall has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bentley University and received the inaugural Harry C. Bentley Alumni Achievement Award in 2017. She commits a great deal of her personal time to mentoring young professionals and women, having served on numerous boards over the years including The Jordan Porco Foundation and Strong Women, Strong Girls.