10 minute read
Building DEI for the future profession
By Anita Dennis
When Richard Caturano, CPA, CGMA, became AICPA chair in 2012, expanding minority representation in the profession was one of his top priorities. “I felt that the biggest contribution I could make would be to take steps that would make the profession more representative of the population of clients we serve,” said Caturano, former national leader and now executive sponsor of culture, diversity and inclusion (DEI) at RSM in Boston. His conviction that proactive efforts were needed ultimately led to the creation of the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion (NCDI), of which he is a past chair. Ken Bouyer, who served as the commission’s inaugural chairman in 2012 and is a current member as well as Americas director of inclusiveness recruiting for Ernst & Young (EY), says that the current environment provides an important impetus for change.
See it to be it
One of the many ways to build a diverse accounting profession and work toward increasing the number of Black CPAs is to recognize and create awareness of the numerous Black CPAs who are making a difference. Among those are young leaders who inspire future Black CPAs. To raise their visibility, the collaboration behind the Black CPA Centennial project celebrated the first 40 Under 40 Black CPA Award winners in November 2021. One of the winners was Brittany Cummings, CPA, who first learned about the profession when a classmate’s parent gave a presentation to her high school calculus class. “He talked about the many career options and the fact that you don’t do the same thing every day,” said Cummings, who is now a director at BKD in St. Louis. When she eventually took a college accounting class, “It just clicked.” Another honoree, Kenneth Omoruyi, CPA, learned about the profession as an undergraduate accounting student in his native Nigeria. With a dream of immigrating to the United States, he decided that earning his CPA would give him instant credibility as a foreign-trained accountant. “No matter what background a person has or what school they went to, it is a leveler” that certifies a certain amount of competence, experience and expertise, he said.
Find or be a mentor
For Cummings, the road to becoming a CPA was not always easy. During her first few years at the firm, she was self-conscious about being the only Black person in the room, and she worried about things like her hair being different from her colleagues’. She tended to stay in the background, but then she saw someone else get an opportunity that she felt she deserved. Since then, “I always speak up,” she said. Cummings was encouraged by several important role models along the way. One partner urged her to be her authentic self and avoid putting up a façade to fit in. The partner also introduced Cummings to Black business contacts and recommended her for stretch assignments. Another woman encouraged her to apply for the 40 Under 40 Award despite Cummings’ doubts about her chances of being chosen. Both role models were white women. “A mentor doesn’t have to be Black,” she said, “just an advocate who will help you have the confidence to be yourself.” Omoruyi also benefited from early encouragement. After moving to Houston, he met Sam Abraham, CPA, at his church. Abraham had his own firm and had also attended university in Nigeria. He reviewed Omoruyi’s transcripts and experience and mentored him on what he needed to do to qualify as a CPA. “It was easy to connect with him,” Omoruyi said. “It was someone with similar experience, who looked like me, who made me believe that if he could do it, I could also.” Both role models and mentors can clearly make a difference in the career paths of aspiring and new Black CPAs. Caturano and Bouyer have been actively involved in mentoring. Caturano met Tracey Walker in a firm focus group on DEI issues. Because of her passion and persistence, “I realized she was exactly what we need for our program to be successful,” Caturano said. After working on his team, Walker has now succeeded him as national leader of culture, diversity and inclusion in the firm.
– Richard Caturano
Bouyer has mentored Lanier Mason, CPA, another 40 Under 40 honoree, since Mason first joined EY US. “That’s the importance of role models,” Bouyer said. “You need to see that people who look like you can have a great career.”
Improve a business’s DEI
To accelerate the rate of change, “organizations, large to midsize and small, need to appreciate that there is such a benefit and richness from a diverse workforce,” said Bouyer. “It’s also important to consider whether you have a team that will serve changing demographics among clients, other stakeholders and society,” he said. To enhance diversity, Cummings recommended that firms consider factors in addition to grades in the recruiting process, including the reasons some students don’t fit the profile they are seeking. Cummings worked three jobs while going to college, but one firm refused to hire her because her GPA was one-tenth of one percent below their standard cutoff. She has thrived at BKD. While she said her firm does have Black partners who have been hired from outside, there has never been a Black partner who came up through the ranks within the firm. “My goal is to be the first one,” she said. For DEI to succeed, Caturano said, it must be a top strategic priority for the organization. In fact, he believes it can help achieve other critical goals, such as bringing in new business and staffing, by expanding the firm’s scope.
Inspire others
Omoruyi’s dedication to the profession was tested when, due to a series of timing and other challenges, he ended up taking the CPA Exam 19 times before passing. His persistence paid off, and he is now thriving as the owner of his firm and was also recognized as a 40 Under 40 Black CPA honoree. Omoruyi knows and believes that sharing the many hurdles he overcame can help inspire other aspiring CPAs to persevere. Just as John W. Cromwell Jr. — who became the first Black CPA in 1921 — paved the way for generations of Black CPAs, Omoruyi believes the current generation of Black CPAs can also open doors for others. He was helped by someone, so he has also worked with several Black aspiring CPAs who have since become licensed, including providing CPA Exam study materials for some. He points to the ripple effect of one person inspiring five others who go on to inspire many more. “You’re building a legacy,” he said.
– Ken Bouyer
Anita Dennis is a freelance writer based in New Jersey.
The Black CPA Centennial (BCPAC) was a yearlong effort in 2021 to honor, celebrate and build upon the progress Black CPAs have made in shaping the accounting profession. The BCPAC was a collaborative effort of the AICPA, Diverse Organization of Firms, Illinois CPA Society, National Association of Black Accountants and National Society of Black CPAs.
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Larry Alan Cicchese, CPA (1967 – 2021) Larry Alan Cicchese, CPA, died on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at age 54. Cicchese graduated at the top of his class from the Northwest Electronics Institute and then proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during Desert Storm. Following his service, Cicchese graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He spent his career as a CPA with Bauman Associates CPAs and Advisors in Eau Claire. He was a member of the Fletcher-Pechacek American Legion Post 121 and served as their financial officer. Cicchese is survived by his mother, Shirley; two sisters; two brothers; seven nieces and nephews; a great-niece; extended family; and many friends.
John F. Fixmer, CPA (1938 – 2021) John F. Fixmer, CPA, of Rhinelander, died on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at age 83. Fixmer graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He became a CPA and went to work for Wipfli Accounting in Wausau from 1961 to 1968 and then in Rhinelander from 1968 to 1988, where he served as manager of the Rhinelander office. He returned to Wausau and served as managing partner for Wipfli from 1988 until his retirement in 1996. Fixmer was a faithful member of the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. He also supported the YMCA, many Rhinelander High School projects, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the local business community through the Chamber of Commerce. He was a big supporter of Hodag sports and was a big fan of all Wisconsin sports. Fixmer was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Dixie, and one daughter. He is survived by his daughter as well as three grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.
Maynard Allen Kunschke, CPA (1933 – 2021) Maynard Allen Kunschke, CPA, passed away at age 88 on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in Kaukauna. He was a lifetime member of the WICPA. Kunschke graduated from Lawrence University in Appleton in 1955 and began his accounting career with Alexander Grant & Co. (now Grant Thornton). He became a CPA and ultimately progressed to partner there before moving on to serve as CFO for F&M Bank in Kaukauna. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Ann; their son; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Robert Anthony Patrickus, CPA, ABV, CVA, CFF
(1940 – 2021) Robert (Bob) Patrickus, CPA, ABV, CVA, CFF, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at age 81. He grew up in Green Bay, where he proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout and attended Catholic Central (Premontre) High School, where he played basketball and baseball. Patrickus graduated from St. Norbert College and became a CPA. He later earned accreditations in business valuations, management consulting and financial forensics. Patrickus owned and operated General Bookkeeping and Tax Service with his father and later opened R.A. Patrickus and Associates Accounting firm (now known as Patrickus and Jones SC), helping many businesses and clients for over 50 years. Patrickus also taught accounting at St. Norbert College and continuing education for certified valuation consultants for many years. He is survived by three children; his longtime companion, Melanie Horkman, and her two children; five grandchildren; and his two brothers.
Thomas L. Spero, CPA (1949 – 2021) Thomas Spero, CPA, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, after a long illness. He was 72. Spero was active in the WICPA and served on the 1983–1984 WICPA board of directors and was a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. He graduated from Shorewood High School in 1967 and studied accounting at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. After graduation, he began working with Touche Ross (now Deloitte) and spent his entire career working there. He was managing partner of Deloitte LLP during the last 19 years of his career and retired in 2008. Spero was an avid community servant who — besides his active involvement in the WICPA — also lent his time to the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc., the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, among many other organizations. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janet; a son and daughter; four grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
If you are aware of a member obituary and believe it should be included in Memorials, please send a copy of the obituary or contact Marcia Tillett-Zinzow at mtzinzow@icloud.com.
