Jared Van Arsdale, CPA, MBA – 2020 40 Under 40 Honoree

Thankfully, my career has been filled with individuals who furthered me with their challenge and care. I would be remiss to discount the immense value they have had on my life. Early, I realized that corporate accounting was not aligned with my own goals and mindset. Through one of these valued colleagues, I found my place in the public practice for which I cannot foresee ever leaving. My take away being the community and relationships derived from public practice – Immeasurable in value.

It’s been my honor to serve the profession while on the Board for the Arizona Society of CPAs and Council for the AICPA. I immersed myself in each organization’s advocacy efforts and their collective goal of bettering the profession.  As a political junkie, tax and politics is like peanut butter and jelly…. Daily staples that keep me balanced and feeling good.

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

For the last 15 years or so years I have served on a number of boards for non-profit organizations.  However, the time I have spent with accounting and business students at the high school level has been an annual must.  This time has taken many forms including providing industry perspectives for career and technical education administrators and teachers, drafting questions for yearend assessments for accounting students, talks for accounting and business classes, judging FBLA events, etc… Developing future accountants may be a long shot but, worth the time. 

Favorite books/websites/podcasts/speakers:

Favorites change weekly but here is the current list

• Podcast, “We the People” – National Constitution Center’s
• Podcast, “Revisionist History” – Malcom Gladwell
• Books, “Panic”, “Flashboys”
• Books, “The Undoing Project” or anything else by Michael Lewis
• Books, literally anything by Bob Woodward.

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