AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor announce 2018 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Awards

The AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor have recognized 25 leaders in the accounting profession with the 2018 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Award.

Award recipients come from a wide cross-section of the profession, and perform a broad range of roles, from executives with Big Four firms and Fortune 500 companies to small firm owners and consultants. The awards, now in their seventh year, were created by CPA Practice Advisor and – starting this year – are jointly administered by the AICPA.

“This year’s group of award winners exemplifies the aspects of leadership, skill, and mentorship that make them stand-outs in their roles,” said Gail Perry, editor-in-chief of CPA Practice Advisor. “Our profession is better because of their active participation in making this a better place for everyone.”

The AICPA became involved with the awards as part of the institute’s efforts to promote and support the success of women for the broader purpose of sustaining the profession.

“We couldn’t be prouder of this group of award winners and their contributions to the profession,” said Jacquelyn H. Tracy, CPA, CGMA, chair of the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC). “Collectively, they show there are many paths women can take to make an impact and wield influence.”

The WIEC sponsors research, the Women to Watch awards, mentorships, networking opportunities, and oversees the annual AICPA Women’s Global Leadership Summit.

A group of 13 judges selected the award recipients, using the following criteria:

• Demonstrates she is a driving force in creating a culture of innovation or excellence within her organization or helped, as a vendor, to develop technologies that empower firms to be more productive and profitable
• Has reached a level of management and ownership within her company, with demonstrable impact on its success
• Actively mentors those following in her footsteps

The 2018 winners are:

• Karen Abramson, CEO, Wolters Kluwer Tax and Accounting
• Danielle Supkis Cheek, director of entrepreneurial advisory services, PKF Texas
• Susan Coffey, executive vice president of public practice, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
• Lynne Doughtie, U.S. chairman and CEO, KPMG
• Abby F. Dupree, managing partner, Carroll & Company, CPAs.
• Jennifer Elder, owner, The Sustainable CFO
• Sarah Elliott, principal and co-founder, Intend2Lead, LLC
• Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, global strategy leader for the financial services industry, Oracle America, and immediate past chairman of the AICPA
• Cathy Engelbert, CEO of Deloitte US
• Julie H. Gustavsson, partner and chief operating officer, Keiter
• DeAnn Hill, owner, DeAnn Auman Hill, CPA
• Jenni Huotari, partner and director of business outsourcing and strategy, Eide Bailly
• Kacee Johnson, strategic advisor, CPA.com, and founder, Blue Ocean Principles
• Elizabeth Pittelkow Kittner, controller, Litera Microsystems
• Tamera Loerzel, partner, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC
• Samantha Mansfield, director of professional development and community, CPA.com
• Gail Perry, editor-in-chief, CPA Practice Advisor
• Amy Pitter, president and CEO, Massachusetts Society of CPAs
• Natasha Schamberger, president and CEO, Kansas Society of CPAs
• Lindsay Stevenson, vice president of finance and tax, 1st Financial Bank USA
• Amy Vetter, president and CEO, QuickStart Training Inc.
• Jennifer Warawa, executive vice president of partners, accountants and alliances, Sage
• Katherine G. Watts, partner in charge, Horne LLP
• Sandra Wiley, president, Boomer Consulting, Inc.
• Jennifer Wilson, co-founder and partner, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC