AICPA Names CFO

Last December, Clarence A. Davis, CPA, took the reins as chief financial officer of the AICPA. He joined the Institute after heading his own consulting firm, Clarence A. Davis Enterprises, Inc., for seven years.

Daviss long-term strategic planning and financial skills and service-industry experience will be invaluable in helping the Institute realize its goals, said Barry Melancon, AICPA president.

Certain guidelines apply, no matter what business youre in, Davis said, explaining how his experiences in public practice and consulting had prepared him for his new position. Once you see a common thread running through many businesses, you can readily apply that knowledge to this business.

A former marine and Cub Scout leader, Davis worked for 23 years at Spicer & Oppenheim, New York, (formerly Oppenheim, Appel, Dixon & Co.) before striking out on his own. He was a senior audit partner at the firm. He earned the CPA designation in 1975 after graduating with a BS degree in accounting from Long Island University in 1967.

The 57-year-old Davis, who will be based in the New Jersey office of the AICPA, is a native New Yorker. He resides in Westbury, Long Island, with his wife of 31 years, Anne. The couple have one adult son.

Daviss involvement with the Institute began some years ago with service on various committees.

He chaired the AICPA committee for minority recruitment and equal opportunity for three years (19801983). He served as a member of the future issues committee (19841987) and as a member of the Institute council (19891992). Davis is also a member of the New York State Society of CPAs.

Davis sees an energy at the Institute that will move the profession from where it is today to where it should be in the next decade. His primary short-term goal as chief financial officer is to make sure that the Institute has the fiscal foundation necessary to reach its Vision for 2011.

My long-term goal, Davis said, is to assist the AICPA in driving the marketplace to our members.