Kacee Johnson

2018 Most Powerful Women

Strategic Advisor to the CEO, CPA.com

What advice would you give to female college students about the opportunities for women in the accounting profession?

Look outside the general accountancy roles for opportunities in technology as well as business development. 19% of new hires in firms are with degrees outside of accountancy programs and the demand for new skills is only growing.

What would you suggest to accounting firms that are interested in retaining and advancing more qualified female staff?

Ensure that your culture fosters input from women at all levels in the organization. Far too often I witness cultures that somewhat ignore the female perspective.

Why did you choose to work in – and stay in – the accounting field?

I am not an accountant so a lot of people ask me this question. I have been specialized in the accounting profession for the last 10 years and I love it. No other industry that I have worked in has the sense of community and thought leadership to drive the evolution of the profession. People truly care about each other, and it isn’t the dog eat dog world that I have experienced elsewhere.

What are you currently reading?

Conscious Capitalism, by John Mackey

What changes do you foresee in the accounting profession of the near future (3-5 years)?

The role of recordkeeper to dissipate and more accountants take on the role of a business consultant, CFO or technology advisor. We see a lot of technology advisors with cloud implementations, and I think we will see a similar role arise around blockchain.

How do you see yourself participating in shaping the future of the accounting profession?

I hope to alleviate some of the gloom and doom perspective around automation and to help the profession see all of the opportunities that can evolve their practices.

Describe one person who has been an important mentor to you and how that person helped shape the direction or focus of your professional life.

Greg LaFollette, CPA. He has not only been a mentor but also a champion of mine for nearly a decade. He really helped me to understand the accounting profession and how my role as a non-CPA could be of high value.

Please share a personal rule or principle that you follow.

Work with people you enjoy being around, on projects you believe in. Life is far too short to do anything else!

See the full list: 2018 AICPA / CPA Practice Advisor Most Powerful Women in Accounting.

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