Aaron Clayton, CPA, CGMA, CHFP, HFMA – 2020 40 Under 40 Honoree

I’ve been fortunate to have been trusted within Eide Bailly and the CPA profession with leadership opportunities. I was promoted to Partner at Eide Bailly in May 2015 and have since been promoted to the Audit Department Head for the Sioux Falls, South Dakota office and Partner in Charge of the Communications & Electric Industry Practice for Eide Bailly. Within the CPA profession, having the opportunity to graduate from the AICPA Leadership Academy in 2016, serving on the AIPCA Young Member Leadership Committee, and serving in various leadership roles within the South Dakota CPA Society have been amazing experiences to strength my professional development, while helping progress the CPA profession. Having the opportunity to contribute to a profession that I’ve engrossed myself in, has been the most fulfilling aspect of my professional journey!

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

One of the most rewarding contributions that I have an opportunity to make, is contributing to the profession of accounting. I’ve been involved in a variety of ways through the South Dakota CPA Society and local universities in getting students and young professionals excited about accounting careers. I’ve also been very active in my community and state through Junior Achievement. While not specific to accounting, Junior Achievement gets students interested in how economies work, personal finance, and career exploration. There’s nothing more rewarding than getting to see the growth and development of others!

Favorite books/websites/podcasts/speakers:

• Daniel Burrus
• Tom Hood
• Adam Grant
• Simon Sinek
• How I Built This – NPR
• Planet Money – NPR

See all of the 2020 “40 Under 40” honorees.