EDG2603. All The Places You Can Go — CPA Edition

This session features a panel of diverse professionals who are upending stereotypes about what a “typical” CPA career looks like in public or private accounting. The panelists have forged their own nontraditional paths within accounting and are sharing their experiences to motivate and inspire the next generation. The session will focus on the early-career choices that led the presenters to their current roles; what we could be doing now to help the next generation and spread awareness; as well as potential career trajectories and opportunities for growth for those entering the profession.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify non-traditional career paths available to accounting professionals by examining real-world examples from diverse panelists who have transitioned beyond stereotypical public and private CPA roles.
• Recognize key early-career decisions and skill-building opportunities that influence long-term career trajectory and open doors to innovative or less traditional professional pathways.
• Identify actionable strategies for mentoring, educating, and engaging the next generation of accounting professionals to broaden awareness of the profession’s evolving career possibilities and support their long-term growth.
• Recognize methods for fostering inclusive and future-ready workplace cultures that attract and retain emerging accounting talent while supporting diverse career aspirations.