Jessica Smith, CPA from Reynolds & Rowella, LLP Selected as one of only 38 to AICPA’s 2017 Leadership Academy
AICPA Leadership Academy to be held in October in Durham, N.C.
Ridgefield, CT (July 19, 2017)
Jessica Smith, CPA was one of only 38 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s ninth graduating class. Jessica Smith was selected based on her exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held from October 1-5 in Durham, N.C.
Jessica Smith, CPA has her bachelor’s in accounting from Rider University and master’s in accounting from the University of Connecticut. Jessica has earned her CPA from New York and Connecticut as well as her not-for-profit certificate from the AICPA. Jessica works as a senior associate at Reynolds & Rowella, LLP in the assurance practice.
“The Partners of R&R are very proud of Jessica acceptance into the AICPA Leadership Academy. Jessica has shown on a daily basis those qualities necessary regarding personal and professional development. Her acceptance into the Academy we feel will enhance those qualities.” – Frank Rowella, Managing Partner at Reynolds & Rowella, LLP
The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising young professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs.The Leadership Academy will feature career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers, including Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, chairman of the American Institute of CPAs and Association of Certified Professional Accountants, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, American Institute of CPAs president and CEO, Association of Certified Professional Accountants CEO, and Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, Executive Vice President – Firm Services, Association of Certified Professional Accountants.
Participants are selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, business and industry, education and government. The 2017 class contains a diverse range of ethnicities and is split evenly between females and males.
The 2017 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies or both. Candidates submitted resumes which included work history, licensure information, professional volunteer activities, community service and awards and honors. Candidates also submitted a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally and wrote an essay on the topic “what leadership competencies and characteristics will be essential to successfully lead and advance the CPA profession in 2025?”
To date, more than 270 CPAs have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership positions in their firms, businesses and volunteer organizations.
More information about the AICPA Leadership Academy is available online.
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