Wondering how to stand out in the ever-increasingly competitive accounting firm marketplace? Win an award! But first, you have to enter. Here's where to go.

1. 44 Awards You Can Win as an
Accounting Professional
Sandi Smith Leyva, CPA

2. About the Author
Sandi Leyva, CPA
• Runs marketing agency for accounting firms
https://AcceleratorWebsites.com/
https://AcceleratorNewsletters.com/
https://AcceleratorVideos.com/
• Provides marketing training for DIYers
https://AccountantsAccelerator.com/

3. Accounting Awards
• Here’s a list of some of the awards and certifications that can be
obtained by accounting and tax professionals.
• Winning awards is a great marketing channel to use so you can
build your reputation and credibility and increase your brand
exposure.

4. #1 - Top 50 Best of the Best Firms
Inside Public Accounting—IPA, as it’s often referred to as—first began naming the top 50 Best of
the Best Firms in the United States back in 1994. This list exclusively focuses on factors that
include performances in specific areas of management, growth, and strategic vision.
Fun fact: Firms that make the “Best of the Best” list are often some of the highest-performing
public accounting firms in the country. Firms of all sizes are eligible.
Find out more information here:
http://insidepublicaccounting.com/newsletters/ipa-100-ipa-200-ipa-300/

5. #3 - Top 100 Firms
It’s also important to note that Accounting Today ranks the top 100 firms each year, as well,
which includes key trends, like firms to watch out for and up-and-coming practices.
Find out more information here:
https://www.accountingtoday.com/data/the-2019-top-100-firms-overview

6. #4 - Top 100 Most Influential People in
Accounting
Each year, Accounting Today releases its roster of thought leaders, change-makers regulators,
practitioners, and other leaders who are shaping the profession.
Find out more information here:
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/the-top-100-most-influential-people-in-
accounting

7. #5 - 40 Under 40
CPA Practice Advisor is a technology and practice management resource for accounting and tax
professionals. The company offers a myriad of awards each year, including “40 Under 40.”
Find out more information here:
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/accounting-audit/article/21106742/the-2019-40-
under-40-thought-leaders-and-20-under-40-top-influencers-announced

8. #6 - 20 Under 40
The accounting industry is a necessity for the success of America’s small businesses. As such,
these awards recognize the professionals who are helping lead the industry.
Find out more information here:
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/accounting-audit/article/21106742/the-2019-40-
under-40-thought-leaders-and-20-under-40-top-influencers-announced

9. #7 - Most Powerful Women in Accounting
Awards
This award promotes inclusiveness and creates more opportunities for women in the industry to
attain leadership roles.
Find out more information here:
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/awards/news/21113839/nominations-being-
accepted-for-the-2020-most-powerful-women-in-accounting-awards

10. #8 - Readers’ Choice Awards
This award promotes inclusiveness and creates more opportunities for women in the industry to
attain leadership roles.
Find out more information here:
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/awards/promotion/12387613/cpa-practice-advisor-
2019-readers-choice-awards

11. #9 - Innovation Awards
The Tax and Accounting Technology Innovation Awards honor new technologies that assist
accounting firms and their small business clients operate more efficiently.
Find out more information here:
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/awards/article/21088354/2019-innovation-awards-
highlight-top-tech-for-accountants

12. #10 - Top 50 Women in Accounting
Practice Ignition also does its part to showcase women in the accounting industry with their
“Top Women in Accounting” list. The list is composed of—you guessed it—women! These
women have all been nominated by colleagues and the sort who find them to be mentors, an
inspiration, and have the drive to be the best. The list is planned to be announced annually on
International Women’s Day.
Find out more information here:
https://www.practiceignition.com/blog/top-50-women-in-accounting

13. #11 - Women in Business
The Stevie® Awards, announced each year, recognizes a wide range of individuals and
companies in the business industry, including Women in Business. Other categories include:
– Custer Service
– HR Achievement
– S.-based Organizations
– Executive of the Year
– Company of the Year
Find out more information here:
https://stevieawards.com

14. #12 - Marketing Achievement Award (and #13-
15)
Association for Accounting Marketing, or AAM, annually gives out awards to recognizes the
accomplishments of those who have worked hard to market the accounting industry and prove
how marketing and business development are necessary in order to drive a firm’s brand and
growth. One of their top awards includes the Marketing Achievement Award. Other awards are:
#13 - Marketer of the Year
#14 - Volunteer of the Year
#15 - Rookie of the Year
Find out more information here:
https://www.accountingmarketing.org/awards

15. #16 – Top 100
In 2019, TaxBuzz celebrated its 5th annual list of top tax professionals, which included 100
highly-rated independent tax professionals around the country. TaxBuzz works by “matching”
taxpayers with highly-rated accountants and tax professionals based on factors that include the
type of help needed, geographic location, and other preferences.
Find out more information here:
https://www.taxbuzz.com

16. #17 – Top Cloud Accounting Experts
CountingWorks recently celebrated its second annual list of top cloud accounting experts. The
list showcased 100 accounting providers who operate outstanding cloud-based practices.
Originally launched in 2018, CountingWorks provides a marketplace for clients to find both
qualified cloud accounting and virtual finance assistance, such as CPAs, virtual CFOs,
bookkeepers, and other accounting professionals.
Find out more information here:
https://www.countingworks.com

17. #18 – Outstanding Accounting Educator Award
Each year, the American Accounting Association releases a list of individuals recognized for their
hard work and dedication to the industry. The AAA offers a long list of winners for a range of
categories, including Outstanding Service Award, Lifetime Service Award, and Notable
Contributions to Accounting Literature Award.
Find out more information here, as well as a complete list of categories:
https://aaahq.org/Education/Awards/Press-Release/2019

18. #19 – Certified Fraud Examiner of the Year (and #20-
23)
This award is presented annually by the Association of Certified Fraud Examines (ACFE) to a CFE
who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fraud examination. Other awards
presented each year by the ACFE include:
#20 - Educator of the Year
#21 - Chapter of the Year
#22 - Chapter Website of the Year
#23 - Achievement in Outreach/Community Service
Find out more information here, as well as easily nominate individuals who qualify:
https://www.acfe.com/2019-awards-nomination.aspx

19. #24 – Top 100 ProAdvisors (and #25-35)
Insightful Accountant runs this awards program for accounting professionals who are active in the QuickBooks world.
They recently expanded their awards to include domestic and international categories. They also choose a top ten based
on ten categories:
#25 - QuickBooks Desktop
#26 - QuickBooks Online
#27 - Niche Practice
#28 - Business Outsourcing
#29 - Trainer/Writer
#30 - Integrations – Desktop
#31 - Up-and-Comer
#32 - QBO – Appologist
#33 - Social Media
#34 - Canada
#35 - Best of the Best
Find out more here: https://www.intuitiveaccountant.com/top-100

20. #36 – AICPA Honorary Gold Medal (and #37-44)
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national professional organization of Certified Public
Accountants in the United States. Each year, they award and single out individuals who have achieved or demonstrated
greatness. For example, the AICPA Honorary Gold Medal Award was originally established in 1980 and recognized an
individual who is not a CPA and whose work has had a significant impact on the profession.
Other awards offered by the AICPA include:
#37 - Public Service Award*
#38 - Special Recognition Award
#39 - Gold Medal Award of Distinction
#40 - Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award
#41 - Joint AICPA/AAA Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature Award
#42 - Outstanding CPA in Government Award
#43 - AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award
#44 - AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award
Find out more information here:
https://www.aicpa.org/volunteer/memberawards.html

21. About the Author
Sandi Leyva, CPA
• Runs marketing agency for accounting firms
https://AcceleratorWebsites.com/
https://AcceleratorNewsletters.com/
https://AcceleratorVideos.com/
• Provides marketing training for DIYers
https://AccountantsAccelerator.com/