The 2025 Top 100 People: Much more than bean counters

December 19, 2025 9:00 AM

With the caveat, from many, that "there is no typical accountant," the Top 100 People shared their idea of the average CPA when asked: "How would you describe the typical accountant?"

Not only is that accountant far from monolithic, according to Top 100 candidates, but common stereotypes belie an exclamation made by many: "Accountants are fun!"

That adjective was one of many comprising the complex vision respondents have of today's accountant, a selection of whose comments are shared below.

(To see the full responses of all the candidates for the Top 100, click here. And to see who the Top 100 voted the most influential, see here.)

There may be no such thing as a "typical accountant," but there is a common thread: we are the most trusted advisors to businesses and individuals alike. Grounded in ethics and committed to learning, CPAs and CGMAs have always adapted to technological change — from the abacus to AI — and will continue to do so.

— Tom Hood, EVP business engagement & growth, AICPA

Steve Ridzon

The best accountants possess a lifelong desire to serve investors and the public interest, strive for lifelong curiosity and learning, and a deep respect for professional skepticism. Their job doesn't stop at keeping numbers — they interpret them and do so skillfully, with an eye for what's relevant to the public whom they are serving. A skilled accountant has a keen ability to translate business activity into an understandable story.

Most importantly, the typical accountant operates with an unwavering sense of duty: to the public, to the capital markets, and to the truth.

– George Botic, acting chair, PCAOB

Smarter and more engaging than the stereotype allows — increasingly mission-driven but still overlooked (if not mocked) in public culture and narratives. We're due for a glow-up.

— Calvin Harris Jr., CEO, New York State Society of CPAs

Trustworthy, organized, analytical, detail-oriented and fun!

– Shelly Weir, president & CEO, Florida Institute of CPAs

I'm not your stereotypical accountant — and, in fact, I tend to be surrounded by others who don't fit that mold. While I could describe the traditional public image of an accountant, it wouldn't reflect the people I actually engage with on a daily basis.

The accountants I know are defined not by clichés, but by their integrity, their deep sense of care and their exceptional attention to detail.

– Danielle Supkis Cheek, SVP, AI, analytics and assurance, Caseware

A conscientious, detail-driven professional who is brilliant at solving technical problems, but often reluctant to reimagine the larger game they're actually playing.

– Ed Kless, co-founder, Threshold

KYLE_JOHNSON

Accountants are pragmatic innovators. They're resilient problem-solvers who understand that behind every number is a business story that needs to be told.

Accountants are leading the way on technology and AI adoption because they know it delivers real value to their clients.

What I love most about accountants is that they're authentic partners to their clients. They're not just processing transactions — they're helping businesses navigate uncertainty, make better decisions, and ultimately win. That combination of technical expertise and genuine care for their clients' success is what makes them irreplaceable, no matter how much technology advances.

— René Lacerte, CEO and founder, Bill

Very smart, conscientious and motivated to help their clients and their community.

— Lisa Simpson, vice president – firm services, AICPA & CIMA

Risk-averse and left-brain focused. They like rules and don't like to think outside the box.

— Alan Anderson, founder and president, Accountability Plus

Curious, client-minded and grounded in integrity. The stereotype is heads down number crunching, but the reality is professionals who ask good questions, connect data to decisions, and communicate clearly under pressure. Today's accountants are increasingly comfortable with technology and teamwork, using tools to handle routine tasks so they can focus on judgment, risk and relationships. They balance precision with practicality, and they care deeply about getting it right for clients and the public.

— Elizabeth Beastrom, president, tax & accounting professionals, Thomson Reuters

Accountants are thoughtful, analytical and committed to doing quality work. They are curious about the world, supportive of others, and bring a wide range of interests and abilities beyond common stereotypes. While films like "The Accountant" highlight unusual traits, they remind us not to judge accountants — or anyone — solely by first impressions.

– Jere Shawver, chair, Private Company Council

Micah Highland Photography

The typical accountant today looks very different from when I started my career. Once seen solely as stewards of financial reporting, today's accountants are strategic advisors—digitally fluent, business-minded and deeply collaborative. They work at the intersection of finance, technology and innovation, helping clients navigate complexity and anticipate change.

— Brian Becker, managing partner and CEO, RSM US

Detail-oriented, accurate, smart, moral/ethical, compliant, hardworking.

— Gale Crosley, president and founder, Crosley+Company

thomas strand

The typical accountant is evolving. In fact, today's typical accountant is already yesterday — and tomorrow's accountant is needed today.

Across every segment in the profession, today's accountant is detail-oriented, technically skilled, and exceptional at assimilating and analyzing historical data. The day in the life of a typical accountant may vary, but the mission — building trust and ensuring accountability — remains constant.

….

The profession's evolution is already underway — from technical accountant to strategist, from recorder to storyteller, from historian to futurist. The typical accountant is no longer typical.

— Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, founder and CEO, KET Solutions LLC

Governmental Accounting Standards Board chair Joel Black

Eager to serve the public good by being a trusted advisor to the world of business and government.

— Joel Black, chair, Governmental Accounting Standards Board

The days of what might have been called "the typical accountant" are long past. AI and other technologies are changing the very nature of how we work, giving rise to insights and opportunities that didn't exist before, even just a few years ago. Today's accountant is a strategic, multidisciplinary business leader who applies professional judgment and integrity to complex, tech-enabled data.

— Julie Boland, U.S. managing partner and Americas managing partner, Ernst & Young

Smart, risk-averse and resistant to change.

— L. Gary Boomer, founder, visionary & strategist, Boomer Consulting Inc.

I don't believe there is just one way to describe a "typical" accountant. The profession comprises individuals with a wide range of strengths and attributes, and this diversity enables it to thrive. Some accountants are analytical thinkers, while others are natural relationship builders; many are strategic or innovative, always looking forward. It truly takes a village of different skill sets and perspectives—there's no single mold for success in this profession.

— Sandra Wiley, president, Boomer Consulting Inc.

Ethical, personable, analytical, diligent, caring, hard-working and practical. Also someone who is very good at communicating, analyzing complex issues, applying reasoned judgment, and enjoys serving the public interest.

— Jennifer Burns, chief auditor, AICPA-CIMA

The typical accountant is disciplined, precise and deeply committed to getting things right. They carry a strong sense of responsibility for the trust clients and the public place in them.

At the same time, they are often stretched thin, navigating increasing demands with tools that have not kept pace. Yet within the profession, there is a quiet spirit of innovation. Many accountants are not just meticulous. They are curious, creative and eager to embrace change when it enables them to serve clients better.

The professionals I admire most balance rigor with openness. They bring analytical discipline while also championing new approaches that elevate both their firms and the profession as a whole.

– Jin Chang, CEO, Fieldguide

I chuckle at this, as I often tell people I have studied the brain of accountants for over four decades and over 130,000 hours. Accountants, by nature, are high integrity, good people who don't necessarily like risk and change, but always seem to find ways to innovate and improve their depth of knowledge and industry expertise.

— Allan Koltin, CEO, Koltin Consulting Group

My experience has been the typical accountant is kind, thoughtful, reserved and deeply dedicated — a professional who approaches their work with quiet consistency, genuine care for others, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.

— Darren Root, cofounder, Better Everyday

Accountants are problem-solvers with practical insight. They are detail-oriented, analytical, ethical, committed to accuracy, often under pressure, striving to serve clients (or organizations), while navigating sometimes conflicting demands of regulation, cost, timing and risk.

– Erin Collins, National Taxpayer Advocate, Taxpayer Advocate Service, IRS

Accountants are some of the smartest, most well-intentioned professionals I know. They genuinely want to do what's best for their clients and take pride in delivering accurate, reliable work. But the reality of staffing shortages, endless deadlines and never-ending client demands often keeps them in a constant state of "busy."

They excel at compliance because it's tangible and urgent, but that focus can sometimes come at the expense of deeper, more proactive advisory conversations. Many accountants tell themselves clients "won't want that" or "won't pay for that," when in truth, it's often fear or uncertainty holding them back from having the conversation to begin with.

Most accountants don't need to be told to care more — they already do. They just need to unlock the advisory, leadership and communication skills that have always been inside them.

– Katie Tolin, co-founder, XcelLabs

I would say most accountants are very bright, quick with numbers, honest, dedicated, and yes, many are quirky and kinda nerdy.

— David Cieslak, EVP, chief cloud officer, RKL eSolutions LLC

For a long time, the prevailing stereotype painted accountants as quiet, analytical puzzle-solvers who focused narrowly on reporting history. That perception misses what the profession has become and the type of professionals who thrive in it today.

Today's "typical accountant" is a trusted advisor in the truest sense. They are energetic, dynamic and people-focused, with a deep desire to advise and guide. They engage not just with numbers, but with the lives and stories behind those numbers. Their value comes not only from technical expertise but from the judgment, perspective and wisdom they bring to complex decisions. This brings clarity in uncertainty, strategic foresight and candid guidance.

– Reyes Florez, CEO, Platform Accounting Group

SUEBARR

I deal with many dynamic professionals on a daily basis. They are innovative, creative and agile. Most importantly, they are trustworthy and have the utmost integrity. And, frankly, they're fun. I don't agree with the media's depiction of us.

— Susan Coffey, CEO, public accounting, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Dobek-Sarah-Inovautus Consulting NEW 2023

I think there are two very different factions. I think we have the accountants that are forward thinking using technology to reimagine work and become more advisory, but we still have a very large part of the population who is slow to change and embrace. I believe this mindset will continue to be a big differentiator who are forward thinking using technology to reimagine work and become more advisory, but we still have a very large part of the population who is slow to change and embrace.

— Sarah Dobek, president and founder, Inovautus Consulting

There really is no typical accountant. The profession is as diverse as the work it does. However, if I had to define it, the typical accountant is purpose-driven, guided by integrity, and fueled by curiosity. They're problem-solvers who don't just report on the past — they help shape the future. What sets them apart is their deep sense of responsibility — to their clients, their communities, and to doing what's right.

CPAs don't just work in their communities — they're part of them. They give back, mentor others, and use their expertise to strengthen the places where they live and work.

— Denise LeDuc Froemming, president and CEO, California Society of CPAs

Kevin Kleitches

Caring, hard-working, honest, service-oriented, reasonable, humble. I love working with CPAs!

— David Wurtzbacher, founder & CEO, Ascend