Most Influential Women in Accounting 2018

   

Custom Content from the Los Angeles Business Journal


There are some particularly stellar accounting professionals in the LA region who happen to be women and we’ve alphabetically listed some of the best of them here, along with basic information about their careers, practice and some relevant recent accomplishments they’ve achieved.

While accounting has been a historically male-dominated field in terms of leadership positions, the profession has certainly improved in terms of diversity over recent years. Expectations have never been higher for women’s advancement in the workplace. Earlier this year, the 2018 Accounting MOVE Project showcased innovations that propel women to success and that inform firm leaders about related strategies for overall diversity initiatives. Approaches outlined in the project’s annual report ensure that the profession’s much-needed emphasis on diversity and inclusion also furthers momentum for women.

The 2018 Accounting MOVE Project found that women comprise 25% of the management committees at participating firms—a huge advance from the 19% reported in the 2014 report. More leadership opportunities will mean more outstanding women such as those profiled in these pages.

In perusing the descriptions of the women in this special section, it is quite clear that one common thread of similarity that exists across this unique group is a propensity to focus on the big picture and not simply on the bottom line. It is a trait that has surely helped bolster the careers of the professionals seen here, while also helping secure the success and longevity of their respective firms and clients who turn to them as trusted advisors.

Congratulations to those superb women who made this list and thank you for working to keep the people and businesses of Los Angeles on the right fiscal track! Nicole Adam – CohnReznick LLP
Cheryl Calhoun – CBIZ MHM, LLC
Polina Chapiro – Green Hasson Janks
Tayiika M. Dennis – CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
Lauren Haverlock – Moss Adams
Sue King – KPMG
Susan Laputz – Windes, Inc.
Karla Chavez Luna – Gumbiner Savett Inc
Charity Manley – KPMG
Jenn McCabe – Armanino LLP
Kathleen McManus – PwC
Eliza Minassian – CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
Tomoko Nagashima – PwC
Patty O’Connell – Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP
Kelly O’Neil – CBIZ MHM, LLC
Dee Dee Owens – KPMG
Maryellen Sebold – RSM US LLP
Cheryl Teeter-Balin – Moss Adams
Marilyn Thompson – Windes, Inc.
Natalie Tronkina – CohnReznick LLP
Donella Wilson – Green Hasson Janks
Anita Wu – Green Hasson Janks


Inside this supplement:

Auditors: Does Familiarity Breed Contempt or Coziness?
More needs to be done about the revolving door from accounting firms. Familiarity may breed contempt, as the old adage claims, but not in corporate accounting, according to some new research. In accounting, the term “familiarity threat” refers to the threat to auditor independence that arises when… Read More


Firms that Refer to Trade Secrets in Annual Reports Increase Risk of Cyber Attacks
“The threat is incredibly serious,” the FBI warned in a report this past May on cyber crime. “Intrusions are becoming more commonplace, more dangerous, and more sophisticated… [as] companies are targeted for trade secrets and other sensitive corporate data.”… Read More


AICPA Recognizes Innovative Accounting Educators
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) earlier this month announced the winners of the 2018 Effective Learning Strategies (ELS) Awards, given each year to college and university educators who develop unique and effective teaching tools for introductory, upper division, and graduate courses… Read More