Barry Melancon Reappointed President and CEO of the AICPA

The AICPA announced that Barry Melancon’s term as president and CEO has been extended for an additional five years by the Institute’s Board of Directors.

Ernie Almonte, chairman of the AICPA, said the decision was the right one for the board to make. “Barry has made an enormous contribution to the CPA profession over the past 14 years, and the board is exceptionally pleased that he will continue to serve as president and CEO. Barry’s continued stewardship of the AICPA will contribute greatly to the work of CPAs and in turn help their clients, companies and communities to succeed.”

Under Barry’s leadership, the AICPA has strengthened the profession’s voice in public policy debates, fortified the profession’s role in business, finance and capital markets, increased the number of accounting students, created centers for audit quality, implemented the computerized CPA exam, launched a national effort to address financial illiteracy and successfully relocated and streamlined its operations, Almonte said.

In accepting the board’s reappointment as president and CEO, Melancon said, “It is a great honor to serve our 350,000 members. Our members collectively adhere to the highest standards of ethics and values, and being a part of the leadership team that works for them is a privilege. We have a tremendous team at the AICPA that strives every day to meet the needs of the CPA profession. It is a challenge I welcome, and I am grateful for the support of the board, our members and our staff.”

With 30 years of experience in the CPA profession, Melancon represents the Institute with state, national and international organizations and is regularly sought after by key opinion leaders for his expertise and knowledge of the profession. Melancon travels worldwide, meeting with members of the profession and the business community to ensure the profession and its members’ voices are heard. He frequently meets with representatives of state CPA societies, CPA firm associations, and CPAs from all segments of the profession to help them understand the challenges facing the profession, and to obtain members’ views and feedback. Melancon serves as the profession’s leading advocate with national leaders, lawmakers and regulatory officials.

Prior to joining the AICPA as president and CEO in July 1995, Melancon served for eight years as executive director of the Society of Louisiana CPAs. He began his accounting career in 1979 at the firm of Bergeron & Company, CPAs, a small local firm in Louisiana. In 1984, he was elected a firm partner. Melancon graduated in 1978 from Nicholls State University in Louisiana, majoring in accounting with a minor in government. He earned an MBA in 1983 from Nicholls State University and subsequently served as an adjunct professor of accounting at his alma mater for four years.