During the nearly seven years that I have been covering the accounting profession, I've conducted countless interviews, written more than a thousand stories on topics ranging from financial planning to fraud, attended no less than 40 accounting-related conferences in more than 15 states, and penned some 80 columns for this space.
Through it all, I have learned far more about the myriad issues facing the profession and its members than I ever could've imagined. I can rattle off the city, state and names of the managing partners for at least half of the firms on the Top 100 Firms List (a project to which I also owe my hard-earned mastery of Excel). I have memorized a list of acronyms that could fill a phone book. And I learned how to pack five days' worth of business attire into a carry-on bag. I've also been lucky enough to have gained some terrific sources and wonderful friends along the way.
After all of that, it's time to give someone else a chance to do the same.
In a few weeks, someone new will do just that. While I will leave it to my very capable successor to introduce herself to you, I wanted to let you all know that this will be my last column as WebCPA editor. In the interim until my replacement takes over, please contact Bill Carlino (
Although I am leaving the world of daily online accounting news, I am not abandoning all things related to the accounting profession. I am moving on to a new post, where I will be writing about corporate governance issues, many of which are near and dear to accountants, such as Sarbanes-Oxley and stock option expensing.
But I couldn't leave without saying thank you to all of the people -- including my colleagues -- who have made what might have once seemed a very daunting task for someone who isn't a CPA a very memorable and rewarding experience instead.
