Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP, CGMA – 2024 Most Powerful Women in Accounting

The supportive community. No matter what I have done in my career the relationships I have made in every stage of my career have proven to stand the test of time. I have felt supported and love to support others in their journey as well. This community being a client focused profession attracts people that care about the wellbeing of others which transcends to the relationships amongst the profession as well.

How have you personally seen the roles of women evolve in the accounting profession?

I recently led a session for Women Executives at an association conference where the leaders of the firm were invited. It is amazing to see a room full of women C-level executives. I also have led workshops for Managers and Directors at Firms and I am witnessing at least half or more are women. This is not what it was like when I began my career. We still have a ways to go for emerging leaders that are women to see that work and life can be achievable as a women. Having more women in leadership providing an example of this will help to change that perspective in the future.

How would you advise accounting firms on how they can better attract, retain, and advance more women?

Eliminate the chargeable hours goals and instead move to project management and deadlines. By removing the vocabulary of the chargeable hour, it will take the barrier away for many women that want to have families and a career. Additionally, make sure you look around any room you are in to ensure that everyone does not look the same. You need to be proactive to break from unconscious bias and consciously choose diverse backgrounds and opinions to be in the room.  Once more recruits see that there are more people that are diverse and and see that women are in leadership positions, more will choose to work at your firm.

What do you anticipate will be the biggest change in the accounting profession in the next 10 years?

I think the whole profession is going to look very different between automation, offshoring, services and leadership. We are part of a very exciting time in the profession where change is an absolute and not a choice. There will definitely be a move away from compliance into Advisory services and new specializations and expertise. With this transformation, we will get back to being that trusted advisor that has time for a client and not spending as much time behind a computer.

What is your favorite professional mobile app, and why?

Slack, it helps to communicate without junking up email with internal operational communication and coordination.

What are your favorite podcasts?

Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, and my own, “Breaking Beliefs.”

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