I recently returned from Las Vegas from the AICPA Information Technology show - an annual affirmation of my complete lack of understanding of things that incorporate  SIM cards or blade servers.

I'll entrust that upper-level knowledge and skills to my kids, since their generation seems to have been imbued with an innate sense of technology and all applications thereof.

But on a more positive note and from what I would call a "pride of brand" standpoint, I was thrilled to see many of the presenters at this year's conference include in their bios the fact that they were named at one time or another to Accounting Today's Most Influential People list.

As Accounting Today's editor, I'm always happy when one of our publication's annual undertakings receives industry exposure and credence, particularly one that is predicated on a subjective, rather than quantitative, basis.

The reason I mention this is that we are currently in the genesis of this year's Most Influential project, the period when we begin with a rather imposing list and begin the gradual and monitored process of winnowing it down to the 100 mark.

As those who cover the profession, we're fairly confident that each year, we select not only the top leaders and change makers of the profession, but a representative sample as well from practitioners, to association heads, consultants, politicians, educators and attorneys.

But we also solicit help from our readers - a lot of it. Each year we begin asking for nominations for those you feel deserve to be included as one of the most influential people in the profession. And each year, we've been fortunate to receive a number of write-in potential candidates, some of whom we're not too embarrassed to admit that we overlooked.

So let's begin now.

If you feel there's someone who belongs in that elite company, please drop me a line and detail as to why you feel they deserve inclusion. I know there are more than 100 folks out there who routinely wield influence over the accounting profession, but we have to draw the line somewhere.

We promise to give each submission fair consideration. And along the way, I'm sure there are more than a few who can explain exactly how to use my new BlackBerry.

Some things unfortunately never change.