AICPA ENGAGE, the largest annual conference hosted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, kicked off on Monday morning with an introduction by AICPA board members, and a brief address by Barry Melancon, CPA, who has led the organization for 30 years as CEO and president.

During his tenure, he oversaw and directed many of the major initiatives the AICPA has accomplished, including the digitization of the CPA Exam, and merging the AICPA and CIMA.

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Melancon then announced the Outstanding Young CPA Awards for 2024: Nicole DeRosa, CPA, Shakor J. Jukes, CPA, Jennifer Keller, CPA, Benjamin Schwarz, CPA and Dalton R. Sweaney, CPA.

In his remarks, Melancon noted the success and growth of the Engage conferences over the years, thanked the board chairs and sponsors, and invited attendees to join the town hall event later in the week, which will be broadcast across AICPA channels.

More than 5,000 financial professionals attended in-person or online for this year’s event.

Melancon was followed by a keynote address by Erik Weihenmayber, a blind adventurer who has climbed Mount Everest and several other peaks, descended into active volcanoes, and has white water rafted the Colorado River.

Accounting