Accounting
ASWCPA Honors Olivia Kirtley for Advancement of Women in Profession
Olivia Kirtley, former chair of the American Institute of CPAs and president of the International Federation of Accountants, has been named the first recipient of the ASWCPA Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes women who have demonstrated ...
Nov. 11, 2019
Olivia Kirtley, CPA, CGMA, former chair of the American Institute of CPAs and president of the International Federation of Accountants, has been named the first recipient of the ASWCPA Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes women who have demonstrated leadership and a strong record of accomplishment in furthering the advancement of women in the accounting profession.
The award is named for The American Woman’s Society of CPAs (AWSCPA), a pioneering organization which transferred its name and other intellectual properties to the AICPA’s Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC) in 2017.
The AWSCPA Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize female leaders in the profession who have significantly contributed to furthering the advancement of women in accounting and have exemplified the highest ideals of the profession. Candidates from all segments of the profession –public accounting, business and industry, government, nonprofit and academia – are eligible.
“Olivia has accumulated so many ‘firsts’ in her career that it makes sense that she is our first lifetime achievement award winner,” said Jacquelyn Tracy, CPA, CGMA, chair of the AICPA WIEC. “A trailblazer throughout her career, she has continuously worked to make it easier for other women to carve out their own unique paths. She is truly a role model for women in our profession.”
A consultant on accounting, risk management, and governance issues, Kirtley serves on several corporate boards. She was president of the IFAC board from 2014 to 2018 and was elected chair of the AICPA’s board of directors in 1998. She also served as chief financial officer of Vermont American Corp., a power tool manufacturer, and began her career with the firm that later became Ernst & Young. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College and holds a master’s degree in taxation from Georgia State University.
Kirtley received her award at the AICPA Global Women’s Leadership Summit in San Diego. The conference also marked the opening of nominations for the annual Most Powerful Women in Accounting Awards, which are jointly sponsored by CPA Practice Advisor and the AICPA. Those awards will be bestowed at AICPA ENGAGE in June. To nominate a candidate, please visit this link.