2020-2021 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Honored

The American Institute of CPAs and CPA Practice Advisor have announced the 2020-2021 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Awards, given annually to women leaders who are helping to define and advance the profession.

The awards for 2020 were selected, but due to the pandemic, no in-person recognition was possible. The Most Powerful Women in Accounting awards were publicly announced at the 2021 AICPA Engage conference, held at the end of July 2021.

[Nominations for the 2022 awards will open in November 2021 in conjunction with the Women’s Global Leadership Summit.]

Women have surpassed men in number in accounting and auditing positions, and are increasingly attaining the reins of power in accounting firms. According to research by Catalyst (www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-accounting), about 62% of all accountants and auditors are women, and 24% of partner roles at U.S. accounting firms are held by women. Unfortunately, only about 21 percent of partner roles at Big Four firms are held by women.

As women continue to expand their leadership roles in firms of all sizes, as well as in the board room of technology vendors, consulting, public administration, and accounting education fields, they will increasingly draw even more into partner and manager positions, shaping the profession significantly into the future.

Through the Most Powerful Women in Accounting awards, the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor celebrate the increasing presence of women at the highest positions in accounting firms and organizations that oversee the profession, and recognizes those who have had the most impact. Nominations were open to the public and the final selection of recipients was determined by an independent panel of judges chosen by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor..

“This year’s group of winners are an excellent example of the impact that women are making throughout the profession,” said Gail Perry, editor-in-chief of CPA Practice Advisor. “These leaders serve as an inspiration to a generation of women who are starting their career in the profession.”

The awards were announced virtually at the 2020 Women’s Global Leadership Summit and in person at the 2021 AICPA ENGAGE conference in July 2021.

The 2020-2021 Most Powerful Women in Accounting are: