Koziel to become AICPA president and CEO

Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, has been named as the incoming president and CEO of the AICPA and as the CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

The appointment, announced Oct. 16, came after a comprehensive global search for a successor to Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, the longest-serving CEO in AICPA history, who announced in May that he would retire at the end of the year.

Koziel will begin his role Jan. 1, 2025, after a transition period. He is president and CEO of Allinial Global, the world’s second-largest accounting association. Allinial Global has 268 member firms with locations throughout the world generating more than $6 billion in collective revenues. He is responsible for strategic planning, financial performance, and Allinial’s overall growth and success.

Prior to joining Allinial in 2020, Koziel spent 14 years with the AICPA and later the Association in a number of roles, including executive vice president, Firm Services. He began his career at an accounting firm in Buffalo, N.Y.

Koziel has been a leader and advocate for accountants. He has appeared among the top 10 of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and been named to the International Accounting Bulletin’s Global Accounting Power 50 List.

The Association Board of Directors worked with Korn Ferry, the largest global executive search firm, to identify the next CEO. The board’s selection committee, chaired by past Association Chair Anoop Mehta, CPA, CGMA, identified, screened, and interviewed candidates from all over the world.

“I am excited and honored to be appointed CEO of the world’s largest accounting membership body,” Koziel said in a press release. “I look forward to playing a key role in leading the organization and the profession to new heights. The profession is well positioned to expand and continue to evolve the value it brings serving the public interest and addressing the challenges faced by economies, business, and society. I cannot wait to start working closely with members, candidates, volunteers, and staff to do just that and drive our great profession forward.”

Melancon said in a press release: “Serving the profession over the last 30 years has been a great honor, and I have been fortunate to have played a part in its transformation. I am thrilled to see Mark appointed to the role, knowing his passion and vision for the profession and AICPA & CIMA. Mark will do a fantastic job.”

About the author

Kim Nilsen is senior director–Reputation Management and External Relations for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Jeff Drew at Jeff.Drew@aicpa-cima.com.