T
ayiika M. Dennis, a principal at CliftonLarsonAllen, has been named the new chair of the CalCPA board of directors, and plans to help the profession improve resilience, diversity and increase the pipeline of students for future careers in accounting and auditing.
“To me, CPA doesn’t just stand for Certified Public Accountant – it also stands for the ‘coolest profession around,’ ” says Dennis, who is based in Los Angeles. “As CPAs, we’re inspirational trailblazers. We’ve earned the public’s trust, we’re objective, diverse and inclusive, and I can’t think of anything cooler than that.”
Diversity, equity and inclusion research – jointly sponsored by CalCPA, the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) – found that the lack of diversity in senior leadership positions is inhibiting Black and Hispanic accounting graduates from entering the profession.
“While CalCPA has long focused on the student pipeline, we also need to seek new ways to expand the accounting pipeline through enhanced networking opportunities, vibrant social gatherings and unique volunteer events,” Dennis says.
CalCPA President and CEO Denise LeDuc Froemming says, “Tayiika has a legacy of service to her firm and CalCPA. We look forward to Tayiika bringing her passion for her career and the profession to leading CalCPA in its quest for growth and elevation in mission-critical areas. Her agenda will include aiding the nation’s largest state CPA society in its efforts to change perceptions about accountants and accountancy, elevate its standing in thought leadership and enhance programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.”
CalCPA represents 43,000 CPAs in California.
