1. Lessons Learned from 10 Years of AICPA Leadership Academy
Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA
EVP – Firm Services, AICPA
Lindsay Stevenson, CPA, CGMA
VP, Finance-Tax, 1st Financial Bank USA

2. About Leadership Academy
1st CGMA Leadership Academy 2018
Introduced in 2009
38 candidates accepted each year
350 alumni
“Life changing” event
Increases leadership competencies
Cadre of loyal, highly-motivated volunteers

3. Lesson 1: Creation of a diverse pipeline

4. Leadership Academy attendance by practice area

5. Leadership Academy attendance
24% underrepresented minorities vs 12% in profession overall
50% women, consistent with new hires
All states and territories have had a graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy

6. Lesson 2: Increased interest in volunteerism

7. Graduates who have volunteered
Since attending Leadership Academy…
124 graduates have served on an AICPA committee or task force
32 graduates have served on the AICPA Council
1 graduate on the AICPA Board
In a 2017 survey, 67% of respondents volunteered at the state society level
89% of survey respondents were interested in volunteering at the state or national level
Currently, there are 68 Leadership Academy graduates serving on 38 different AICPA committees

8. Lesson 3: Increased state society involvement

9. State based young initiatives
15 states have their own Leadership Academy program
10 states have a young member conference
30 states have a young member committee

10. Lesson 4: Expanded professional network

11. How graduates stay connected

12. Lesson 5: Graduates gain self confidence

13. Graduates gain self confidence
More control over career choices
Helping / coaching others
Looking for ways to give back
“I learned from Leadership Academy that you don't have to be fearless…you just have to be brave.”
- Jessica Cormier, CPA Leadership Academy graduate, 2014

14. Lesson 6: Employer should have conversation upon graduation

15. Steps for success upon returning from Leadership Academy
Be prepared for honest feedback and conversation
Schedule a debrief conversation with graduate
Empower the graduate to lead and grow
What did you learn about yourself and us as an organization and how can we help?

16. Lesson 7: Enhancements to the program

17. Success of content in 10 years
Thought Partners
Letter to “Future Self”
Addition of Leadership Circle Profile (360)
Annual reunion at EDGE
Leadership Academy 2.0

18. Lesson 8: Consistent themes

19. Common perspectives
Profession is changing and the need to adapt is critical
Great pride in the profession
Desire to carry the historical perspective of trust and integrity forward into the future in a proactive way
Power of professional colleagues
Education gap to practitioner gap

20. Go Beyond

21. Thank you