Cover Story

Q : What motivates you to do what you do ? A : I ’ m passionate about helping people and being a CPA offers me the opportunity to do that regularly . I ’ m excited about where the profession is heading as well , with the enhanced focus on technology and data analytics , as well as contributing to the measurement of ESG metrics and milestones .

Q : Who have been the strongest influences in your life ? A : My mom and my grandmother have had profound

influences on me . Even though we were a family of modest means , both of them emphasized the value of a good education and the importance of giving back to the community . They made sacrifices so that my sister and I would have opportunities they never did . My grandmother learned new computer skills into her 90s so she could communicate with friends all over the world , and she taught me the importance of expressing gratitude to others .

If you weren ’ t a CPA , what career would you see yourself in ? Park ranger .

What one word describes you best ? Dynamic .

Most recently bingedwatched show ? Ted Lasso .

Favorite app and why ? Overcast — it ’ s my favorite podcast app . It pairs nicely with Strava , my favorite activity tracking app , so I can listen on the go .

Most used emoji ? LOL face . First job ? Working on a rhododendron farm .

What can we find you doing in your spare time ? I love the outdoors and can often be found hiking and running on the trails in the Bay Area .

Biggest learning experience ? Crossing the state of Tennessee on foot and meeting interesting characters along the way .

Best leadership advice you ’ ve received ? Treat others how they wish to be treated .

What superpower would you like to possess and why ? Flight . It ’ s incredibly versatile and efficient and just seems like fun .

Hometown : Bonney Lake , WA

College : Whitman College ( bachelor ’ s degree in politics and Asian studies ), Golden Gate University ( master ’ s degree in taxation ).

CalCPA can serve its members and their organizations by collecting and disseminating best practices regarding diversity , equity and inclusion . We can develop and publicize appropriate metrics to gauge progress and success , both as an organization and for use by members and strategic partners . We can spotlight member excellence and expertise from a wide range of voices , and we can inspire future CPAs by connecting them with resources and sponsors in their local and virtual communities .

Together , we can tackle the challenges of transforming the career experience for today ’ s and tomorrow ’ s CPAs . As technology continues to reshape the business landscape , we must welcome the opportunities it presents . By embracing machine learning , automation and data analytics , we can help CPAs free up valuable time for higher-value activities such as strategic advising and driving business innovation . Growth of ESG and sustainability reporting services is a perfect example of a new practice area that marries technology and CPAs ’ analytical skills . ESG ’ s emphasis on the triple bottom line is attractive

I like to think of the CPA pipeline as a highway with a variety of onramps . As a leader in the profession , CalCPA has the capacity and resources to positively impact the onramps available for future CPAs .

to younger entrants in the profession , who are looking for mission-driven career opportunities . Together , we can position our profession at the forefront of digital transformation , ensuring that our skills remain relevant and indispensable .

Transforming the career experience together also means addressing the challenge of the CPA pipeline . We know that fewer students are choosing accounting , and fewer accounting students are choosing licensure . Coupled with the demographic shifts of retirements from the profession and the increased regulatory and business information roles CPAs are tasked with fulfilling , we are confronted with a significant human capital challenge , though not an insurmountable one .

I like to think of the CPA pipeline as a highway with a variety of onramps . As a leader in the profession , CalCPA has the capacity and resources to positively impact the onramps available for future CPAs . We can partner with like-minded organizations to reach students and their parents to center accounting as a profession of choice , and to raise awareness about the many roles a CPA can play in the business community . CalCPA can also work with our members ’ organizations to help them develop and implement career pathways that support students from a wide range of educational experiences and backgrounds .

As a former nontraditional accounting student with a background in an unrelated field , I ’ m especially interested in how CalCPA can expand and replicate the Community College to CPA program to develop future talent . We can also market the ways in which the profession is evolving , and emphasize the entrepreneurial opportunities provided by a CPA license . With the launch of CPA Evolution in 2024 , which will transform the CPA Exam , we all have the opportunity to support new pathways to licensure in partnership with local and national organizations .

As CalCPA is a thought leader in these areas , we can strengthen and enhance our partnerships with educational institutions , finance influencers and partner organizations to redefine the image of the profession and enhance the pipeline of future CPAs .

Join me on this journey as we work together to strengthen our profession for today and tomorrow . Let ’ s make an impact together .

14 CALIFORNIA CPA AUGUST 2023 www . calcpa . org