Kelly Ward, CPA, CGMA, MBA – 2018 40 Under 40 Honoree

Professional Associations/Memberships:

• Alaska Society of CPAs, President;
• AICPA – Student Recruitment Committee,
• Financial Literacy Committee  

Career Highlights:

• June 2017: AK Society of CPAs President
• December 2017: Somers School Presenter (Realtors)
• August 2017: Accounting Profession Top 40 Under 40; CPA Practice Advisor
• February 2017: Elected President-Elect of AK Society of CPAs
• January 2017: 2017 AICPA E.D.G.E Conference Presenter
• September 2016: Accounting Profession Top 40 Under 40; CPA Practice Advisor
• May 2016: Elected as AKCPA Board Member
• December 15-May 16: Co-facilitate AKCPA Leadership Academy
• August 15-May 16: Leadership Fairbanks Participant
• August 2015: AICPA E.D.G.E Conference Presenter
• May 2015: Appointed Chair of AKCPA Financial Literacy Commission
• December 2014: Chartered Global Management Accountant Designation
• October 2014: Graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy
• September 2014: Graduate of the 2^nd Inspire Leadership Academy Class
• July 2014: Appointed Principal of Robinson & Ward, PC
• May 2014: Graduate of the 1^st AKCPA Leadership Academy Class

What are you doing to make a difference in the profession, your community, the world?

Education and empowerment of clients and the community is important to me. With that in mind, a lot of my outreach comes through classes for the community through our firm or through other means such as the local Realtors. I have also taught a Money Camp at the local university for the past two summers for kids. Reviewing Legacy Scholar applications for the AICPA and being a Legacy Scholars coach have also been a part of my outreach. Perhaps the largest outreach comes through being an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College for the past 10 years.

Favorite books/websites/speakers that you find influential – Rachel Hollis, Jen Sincero, Sheryl Sandberg, John O’Leary

What do you see yourself doing professionally in 10 years? Principal of Robinson & Ward, active involvement in AKCPA and AICPA

What accounting conferences do you normally attend? AICPA Engage and various other AICPA conferences depending on year

What websites/magazines do you use to keep up on news of the accounting profession? CPA Practice Advisor, Journal of Accountancy

===========

See more of the 2018 40 Under 40 Honorees, and the 20 Under 40 Vendor Superstars.