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The awards recognize three accounting firms and one individual practitioner who are moving artificial intelligence in accounting from the experimental stage to measurable, responsible implementation in real-world environments.
The winners, who were highlighted last week at the Scaling New Heights Conference in Orland, Florida, were:
- Individual Award for AI Innovation: Angel Zhen. Zhen, a CPA, is able to run a practice with more than 300 clients nationwide and no employees, thanks to his "high-performance AI adoption."
- Firm Award for Strategy & Governance: CBIZ. The Top 10 Firm was recognized for "building one of the most comprehensive AI governance frameworks in the profession," with a cross-functional AI governance council, a formal AI usage policy, and structured training programs based on broadly recognized standards. Its platforms have logged over 1 million AI-assisted interactions since launch.
- Small Firm Award for Strategy & Governance: Financial Optics. A three-person boutique accounting and advisory firm, Financial Optics built its AI adoption around an acceptable use policy and an AI tool decision framework mapping tool.
- Firm Award for AI Implementation: Armanino. The Top 25 Firm was recognized for building and rolling out Requirements Miner, a multi-agent AI application to capture, analyze and draft requirements from client conversations, freeing accountants and consultants up to focus on higher-value elements of the discussion.
"These are not innovation theater awards," Kacee Johnson, executive director of the foundation, said in a statement. "Every one of this year's winners showed us what it actually looks like to move from AI curiosity to AI in practice. They are approaching AI use thoughtfully, documenting what worked, and sharing their lessons learned. That's the work we're here to celebrate, study and share so others in the profession can learn from it."
Barry Brown, a member of the advisory council that picked the winners, said in a statement, "What stood out most in reviewing this inaugural group of award recipients is how broad the field of AI adoption has become. From sole practitioners to Top 25 Firms, leaders of every size are making meaningful progress. The firms and individuals we recognized are proof that size is no longer a barrier to doing something significant with AI. Whether you're a one-person practice or a national firm, the opportunity is the same, and so is the urgency. There has never been a better time to start."
In addition to the awards, the foundation announced it is now accepting applications for two $5,000 scholarships for undergraduate and master's students who actively working with AI in accounting, tax, audit, advisory or finance contexts. Applications are due by Sept. 15;
