Katie Thomas, CPA – 2023 “40 Under 40” Honoree

• Valedictorian, Undergraduate in Accounting, University of Kansas
• Valedictorian, Post Graduate: Masters in Accounting, University of Kansas
• Passed all four CPA exams on the first attempt, with a cumulative 94 average.
• Tax Accountant at EY
• Owner and Founder of Leaders Online, a digital marketing firm for accountants and professional service providers looking to increase their impact, influence, and income. The size and experience of firms we work with vary, as some firms are in the top 100 and some are just getting started.
• I have a large social media community with over 42,000 LinkedIn followers, 22,000 Facebook followers, 9,500 Instagram followers, 1,600 Youtube subscribers, and 1,800 Twitter followers.

Recent Activities
I’ve been instrumental in addressing two critical challenges in the accounting sector. First, I worked to address the talent acquisition dilemma through an organic inbound recruitment strategy, which several top 300 accounting firms have successfully deployed to attract and retain top talent.

Second, I addressed the issue of scaling content creation by launching a turnkey content engine that puts podcasting at the center of the firm’s organic content strategy. This approach not only simplifies content creation but also amplifies their ideas to a broader audience, maximizing impact with minimal time investment.

In addition to these professional milestones, I was honored to be named among the Top 50 Women in Accounting, and continue to grow my online community by delivering daily educational content that empowers accounting professionals around the world to share their ideas and expertise.    

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

I’m an educator for firms working to build their online presence through a variety of channels including in-person events, social media, podcasts, publications, and my popular ‘Dear Katie’ newsletter where I address questions from the accounting community weekly. Additionally, I founded a book club for accountants, fostering professional growth and facilitating discussions on societal challenges and their navigation in our profession. At my agency, we prioritize diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices. We actively create opportunities for individuals from varied backgrounds, including stay-at-home moms seeking part-time work and military spouses.

Current Professional Reading / Listening

• Craft: Revenue Vitals podcast by Chris Walker.
• Industry: Accounting Podcast by David Leary and Blake Oliver.
• Personal well-being: Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD.

See all of the 2023 “40 Under 40” and “20 Under 40” honorees.