CalCPA Names San Jose CPA Top Young Emerging Professional

For her volunteer efforts that have helped increase outreach to students and young accountants, Megan Thompson, CPA, of San Jose has been named statewide Young Emerging Professional (YEP) of the Year by the California Society of CPAs (CalCPA).

CalCPA recognized Thompson’s achievements on Thursday at a meeting of its council of statewide leaders of the 40,000-member organization. She receives a plaque and a year’s free membership in CalCPA.

The owner of her own accounting firm, Thomspon Accounting, Thompson was one of six nominees for the YEP honor. “I’m happy to say we had a difficult time selecting the final honoree,” said Johanna Sweaney Salt, CalCPA chair. “All the candidates demonstrated excellent leadership skills and commitment to organizing activities that will help students and fellow young professionals become successful.”

The other finalists are Megan Boldizsar of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Irvine; Nicole Bueno of Kern Machinery, Bakersfield; Charles Burak of Glenn, Dawson & Burak LLP, Walnut Creek; Nick Leach of Torosian & Walter LLP, Fresno; and Kelly Wallace of Illumina Inc., San Diego.

In nominating Thompson for the award, Philip Hume, Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter president, said, “Her leadership is well recognized, evidenced by the fact that she quickly elevates to managing, planning or running any event she becomes involved with.”

Thompson’s activities include organizing mixers and a speed mentoring program for young professionals as well as recruiting student and CPA candidate members for her chapter. She also serves on her chapter’s board and is the chapter’s forensics committee chair.

In addition to being a certified public accountant, Thompson is a qualified expert witness and a certified valuation analyst. She is certified in financial forensics by the American Institute of CPAs and is also an associate member of the State Bar of California.