By Jessica Salerno-Shumaker, OSCPA senior content manager  

The accounting profession is at a crossroads, and now more than ever needs forward-thinking, strategic leaders.   

“Being a leader is about bringing other people along,” said Chad Sinkovich, CPA, accounting manager at Employers Health.   

Sinkovich has been selected as one of 30 CPAs to attend the 2024 AICPA Leadership Academy. For a week in December, he will participate in career development workshops and sessions with accounting influencers and leaders in North Carolina.    

When Sinkovich mentions the value of bringing others along, he speaks from experience. He said he’s been included in meaningful experiences throughout his career that have been facilitated by mentors. Their willingness to include him on new projects and answer questions has been instrumental in building his confidence and leadership skills.  

“My mentors make me excited about going to work,” Sinkovich said. 

He said he wants to bring that excitement to others he works with, as he strives to be an open-minded and positive influence at work and in the profession. He said he’s looking forward to strengthening his skills at the AICPA Leadership Academy and learning from others in his cohort.  

Sinkovich noted accounting is at a critical point in its history, and supporting future leadership is crucial to ensure the longevity of the profession and keeping up with the changing business environment. He said it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities but having big-picture conversations to enact long-term change is just as valuable.  

“Whether we're discussing pipeline issues or 120/150, being a leader is about continuing to make progress,” he said. “The decisions we make today will affect the next generation of CPAs.”