The board of directors of the National Association of Black Accountants has selected Jina Etienne, the American Institute of CPAs' director of taxation, as NABA's new president and CEO, effective Sept. 17, 2015.
Before joining the AICPA, Etienne was founder and managing member of a boutique CPA firm that offered small-and medium-sized businesses a wide range of accounting, tax and consulting services. She started her career in public accounting over 26 years ago with Touche Ross (now Deloitte). Etienne has authored numerous articles on taxation matters and has been a regularly featured speaker at conferences, including Accounting Today’s Growth & Profitability Summit, and webcasts on tax practice management and tax practitioner ethics.
"I am honored that the board of directors of NABA has selected me for this role," Etienne said in a statement. "NABA is poised for tremendous growth and new opportunities for its current and future members, stakeholders and corporate partners. NABA has been a catalyst for change in the diversity profile of our profession since its inception and while the organization’s impact has been significant in its 46-year history, there is much more work to do. I look forward to continuing the diversity and inclusion dialogue with our members, corporate partners, stakeholders and other leaders of our profession to increase the recruitment, retention and advancement of African-Americans and other minorities in our profession."
As director of taxation at the AICPA, Etienne was responsible for developing guidance related to tax ethics and practice standards. She led the Taxation team that develops resources and practice aids to support members’ technical and practice management needs. Etienne also initiated a key strategy to enhance how the AICPA serves members interested in tax, develops and delivers tax-related communications, and promotes membership in the AICPA Tax Section.
“Jina comes to NABA at a time of great change and opportunity for the association,” said NABA chairman Kenneth E. Cooke in a statement. “She has an appreciation for the rapid pace of change and innovation that will solidify NABA’s growth and relevance for the future. She possesses the essential expertise to implement those changes in sync with NABA’s strategic vision.”
She has served as an adjunct accounting professor at American University in its MBA program. Etienne earned her M.S. in taxation and B.S. and B.A. in accounting from American University. The executive search firm Korn Ferry helped with the selection process.
