Susan C. Allen, CPA.CITP, CGMA - 2021 40 Under 40 Honoree

Susan C. Allen, CPA.CITP – 2021 40 Under 40 Honoree

Senior Manager – Tax Practice & Ethics
AICPA
www.aicpa.org

Career highlights:

My career passion is to humbly serve the accounting and tax profession. Embracing technology and the progression of our profession, I aim to provide insights on emerging issues to help tax and financial professionals effectively serve their clients and businesses.

I’ve worked in both small and large public accounting firms and served as the lead technical writer/content manager for a start-up tax software development company focused on helping tax practitioners efficiently deal with IRS issues.
I led the publication of the Privacy Management Framework that was designed to assist management in creating an effective information privacy program that addresses privacy obligations and risks.
I’ve authored many articles, such as: A new discipline for tax, Journal of Accountancy.
I’m regularly interviewed and quoted in publications, such as in CNN, Newsweek, Forbes and CNBC.
I manage and mentor professional staff, focusing heavily on their progression and success.

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

I’m passionate about contributing to the progression of our profession as it expands and modernizes and embraces more diversity and inclusion. I’ve been fortunate to foster important discussions on topics such as women in accounting and how the next generation of CPAs is taking on tax.

I’ve supported our community’s IRS volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program by providing free tax services. And, at the root of my existence stems love for children. I am a proud mom of Henry and Madelyn, ages seven and three. Helping them grow into kind adults and supporting their education is my day-to-day passion.

Favorite books/websites/podcasts/speakers/bloggers:

Influencers

Podcasts

What do you like best about the accounting profession?

I’ve known I wanted to be an accountant ever since high school when I had an amazing accounting teacher who not only made the profession look “cool,” but also presented endless career possibilities. He paved the way for me to shadow a partner at Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG) while only a junior in high school (just 16 years old). The day I shadowed that managing partner, he promised me that as soon as I earned my undergraduate accounting degree, he would hire me –– and he did! Just a few short years later, I started working for DHG as a full-time staff while pursuing my graduate degree and CPA license (all of which the firm supported). I learned so much from the mentorship of staff and managers and am forever grateful.

I’ve always loved business and helping people accomplish their long-term financial goals. With the advice of my brilliant dad, I started a Roth IRA as soon as I had “earned income” from a high school job. But mostly, I instantly fell in love with this career because of the endless opportunities. There are accounting professionals across the world who have powerful partner/entrepreneurial careers in public accounting, serve as key executives in corporate or non-profit organizations, or educate future generations of accountants. And an accounting career can lead to many different specialties, including tax, finance, audit, technology, data analytics and business intelligence, to name a few.

For me personally, I’m able to help people every single day with my professional duties and I have the ultimate work/life integration, being a very active mom and community member. You can do so much in accounting and have a career you and your family are proud of.

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