as the first woman ceo of picpa, cryder shares how she’s tackling the cpa pipeline crisis and why it’s time to re-evaluate long-standing licensure rules.
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accounting influencers
with rob brown
in this episode of accounting influencers, jen cryder, cpa, ceo of the pennsylvania institute of certified public accountants (picpa), opens up about her unexpected path to leadership, the challenges shaping the accounting profession today, and why she believes this is one of the most exciting times to be a cpa.
with oversight of 20,000 accounting and finance professionals, cryder is not just a figurehead—she’s a force behind reshaping the profession’s image and strategy. from the cpa pipeline crisis to questions about the 150-hour rule, she addresses head-on the systemic changes needed to secure the future of the profession.
“the perception remains that accounting is boring work. it couldn’t be farther from the truth,” says cryder. she believes the profession suffers from an image problem impacting student enrollment and career choice, especially as finance and tech roles compete for top talent.
her call to action is bold. accounting needs a better story. and not just from associations but from professionals themselves. “becoming a cpa transformed my life in a way i never could have imagined,” she shares. “we need to collectively tell that story.”
cryder made history as the first woman ceo of picpa since its founding in 1897. she credits her journey to a visible female mentor in public accounting and emphasizes the power of representation. “you have to see it to be it,” she says.
she spent 15 years climbing the ranks at a public accounting firm before jumping to picpa in a move she hadn’t planned. “it was the only job interview i’d done in 15 years,” she laughs. “but i’m here because a friend kept insisting i check it out.”
cryder’s “to-do list” as ceo reads like a strategic blueprint for modernizing the profession:
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fix the pipeline. with declining numbers of accounting graduates, she’s collaborating nationally to make the cpa credential more accessible and relevant without compromising rigor.
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rethink education requirements. she supports questioning whether the 150-hour rule still serves future cpas—and cautions against reforms that could undermine license mobility.
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future-proof the profession. cryder wants cpas to look beyond immediate tasks and prepare for what’s coming next—especially with ai, automation, and evolving client expectations.
in a behind-the-scenes glimpse, cryder reveals that cpa society ceos are in “constant collaboration,” from zoom calls and in-person meetings to text threads that light up with ideas. “there’s no need to reinvent the wheel,” she says. “if something’s working in one state, we’re finding ways to scale it.”
“in a world where there’s not a high degree of trust, cpas bring that trust to families, to main street, and to capital markets,” cryder emphasizes. that trusted advisor status, she argues, is not just relevant—it’s vital.
and the grunt work? that’s history. “interns today aren’t making photocopies. they’re diving into the real, interesting work from day one.”
10 key takeaways
- the accounting profession needs a rebrand. misconceptions about accounting being dull or outdated continue to deter future talent, despite the dynamic and impactful work cpas do.
- representation matters. cryder credits her leadership journey to early exposure to a female role model in accounting—underscoring the importance of visibility in diversifying the profession. as the first female ceo in picpa’s history, her appointment marks a major milestone for gender equity in accounting leadership and reflects the profession’s evolving culture.
- she never planned this career path. starting as an english major, she transitioned into accounting thanks to an inspiring professor—illustrating how powerful mentorship and education can change lives.
- licensure requirements need reevaluation—but not at the cost of license mobility. she supports critical conversations around the 150-hour rule while fiercely defending interstate practice portability.
- economic, educational, and demographic shifts are forcing firms and institutions to rethink talent strategies and business models.
- collaboration among cpa leaders is stronger than ever. national and state-level cpa leaders are working more closely to solve shared challenges through regular meetings, text threads, and joint initiatives.
- technology has eliminated the grunt work. modern cpa interns are no longer stuck at the photocopier—they’re contributing to real, valuable client work from day one.
- cpas are pillars of trust in a skeptical world. cryder believes the strength of the cpa brand lies in its commitment to integrity, especially in an era where trust is scarce.
- the value of the cpa lies in its adaptability. whether launching a business, leading a firm, or running an association, the cpa credential offers diverse and unexpected career paths.
- change is no longer optional—it’s necessary. cryder urges the profession to embrace transformation and position cpas for the future, not the past.
one response to “jen cryder: rewrite the rules | accounting influencers”
jacquelyn
jen cryder’s perspective is refreshing—proof that even in traditional industries, innovation and rule-rewriting are essential for progress and relevance.