Michael Kidd, CPA – 2021 40 Under 40 Honoree

My career has taken many twists and turns in the past few years, however, some career highlights are:

My career highlights have focused around growing our Firm and starting a successful Transaction Advisory Practice. When I started with Mowery & Schoenfeld, we had a dozen employees.  We are now a team of over 120 and are on track to be a top 100 Firm within the next five years. Watching our employees grow and embrace new changes is the most rewarding part of my job.

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

I am active advocate for entrepreneurship through acquisition, speaking at top-ranked MBA programs nationally. My team is focused on providing the tools and resources to this underserved market. I am a member of the Geneva Group International (GGI), a network of international services professionals providing support globally. I was a prior chair of the Illinois CPA Society CPA Exam Award Task Force, which provides scholarships to those preparing and applying for the CPA exam. I sat on the Illinois CPA Society Accounting Principles Committee providing feedback on proposed accounting standards on behalf of the state society.

Favorite books/websites/podcasts/speakers/bloggers:

• Favorite books: Measurement by Paul Lockhart, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
• Favorite podcasts:  Fresh Air with Terry Gross and Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast
• Favorite websites:  nytimes.com
• Favorite blogger:  James Clear

What do you like best about the accounting profession?

The best thing about accounting is learning something new about the world, business, or leadership from every single client.

See all of the 2021 “40 Under 40” honorees.