Aaron Clayton, CPA, CGMA, CHFP – 2021 40 Under 40 Honoree

• AICPA Young Member Leadership Committee – Member (2020 – Current)
• AICPA Leadership Academy Graduate (2016)
• South Dakota CPA Society – Board of Directors (2018 – Current)
• South Dakota CPA Society Committee Member (Various roles since 2013 – including the Professional Development Committee, Promoting the Profession Committee, and Practice Advisory Council)
• Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Council – Member (2020 – Current)
• Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network Steering Committee – Board of Directors (2014-2016)
• South Dakota Healthcare Financial Management Association – Board of Directors (2020 – Current) & (6/1/2015 – 5/31/2017)
• South Dakota Healthcare Financial Management Association – Membership Committee Chairperson (6/1/2012 – 5/31/2017)
• South Dakota Healthcare Financial Management Association – Membership Directory Committee Chairperson (6/1/2011 – 5/31/2013)

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! I’ve been blessed with recognition in the profession including recognition by the CPA Practice Advisor as a 2020 40 Under 40 award winner and receiving the AICPA’s Outstanding Young CPA Award in 2021.

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/bloggers:

• Daniel Burrus
• Tom Hood
• Adam Grant
• Simon Sinek
• Michael Walsh
• How I Built This – NPR
• Planet Money – NPR
• WorkLife with Adam Grant
• The Tim Ferriss Show

What do you like best about the accounting profession?

The thing that I like most about the accounting profession is the collaboration that occurs. For me, this is both with our clients in trying to guide and help them reach their goals, but also with our team and understanding their professional aspirations. Getting to see and help with the growth of others is the biggest reward and what I love about the accounting profession!

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