New AICPA Chair Begins Term Emphasizing Trust, Purposeful Innovation, and the Next Generation of Talent

New Orleans, La. (May 20, 2026) - Jan Lewis, CPA, CGMA, Tax Partner with BMSS Advisors, is the new chair of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). She also will serve as chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which combines the strengths of the AICPA and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Lewis was elected to the one-year AICPA volunteer post by the organization's governing Council, which concludes its Spring Council session tomorrow. Lindsay Stevenson, CPA, CGMA, Chief Strategy Officer at BPM, was voted in as the AICPA's vice chair.

"We're part of a profession with a long legacy of integrity, adaptability, and innovation," Lewis said in her acceptance speech. "With that legacy comes responsibility to keep earning trust and to help shape what comes next. I'm incredibly grateful for the trust you've placed in me, and I'm excited about what the year ahead holds."

Throughout her tenure, Lewis will concentrate on shaping the future of the profession and working closely with members to align vision, strategy, and direction for success.

Reinforcing trust and delivering value in a complex world: Lewis will underscore the profession's role in bringing clarity, reliability, and sound judgment to increasingly complex decisions, reinforcing the CPA as a trusted advisor grounded in ethics, quality, and public interest.

Advancing innovation with purpose and responsibility: Lewis will champion the thoughtful adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance efficiency and insight while ensuring innovation strengthens the profession's core strengths: judgment, skepticism, and accountability.

Supporting the future accounting work force:

A passionate advocate for mentorship and talent development, Lewis will focus on attracting, developing, and supporting future CPAs and CGMA designation holders, expanding access, advancing lifelong learning, and strengthening connection across the profession.

"Jan brings a deep understanding of what makes this profession strong, its commitment to trust, its ability to evolve, and its focus on people," said Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. "Her leadership reflects what we're hearing from our members and across the profession: focus on balancing innovation with responsibility, invest in the next generation, and stay closely connected to the needs of our members. I'm looking forward to working alongside her to continue advancing the profession globally."

Lewis served for the past year as the AICPA's vice chair and has held several other volunteer posts, including serving on the AICPA Board of Directors, Tax Practice and Procedures Committee, Tax Executive Committee, Life Insurance and Disability Plans Committee, and as a member and elected state representative of Council. She is former president of the Mississippi Society of CPAs.

Lewis was selected as one of Forbes Top 200 CPAs in America in 2024. She has been interviewed by Fox Business News, NPR, Forbes, TheWall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Bankrate, and the Detroit Free Press for her insight on various policy and practice matters affecting taxpayers.

Lewis earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Mississippi State University (MSU). She is a member and past chair of the Adkerson School of Accountancy Advisory Board at MSU. She was also previously selected as the MSU College of Business's Alumni Fellow, as well as MSU Beta Alpha Psi Alumnus of the Year.

About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, AICPA, and CIMA

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) advances the reputation, employability, and quality of CPAs, CGMA designation holders, and accounting and financial professionals globally. Founded in 2017 by the AICPA and CIMA, it represents 574,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students, and registrants in more than 150 countries and territories, advocating for the public interest and business sustainability on current and emerging issues.

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Contact: Bill Ferguson
919.402.4610
[email protected]