Published November 16, 2012
AICPA Contact: James Schiavone, 212-596-6119, jschiavone@aicpa.org.
NEW YORK
(Nov. 16, 2012) - The American Institute of
CPAs is pleased to announce that Olivia Kirtley,
CPA, CGMA, has been elected to a two-year term as deputy president of the
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). Kirtley succeeds Warren Allen,
the newly appointed president of IFAC. She is the first female deputy president
in IFAC history, as well as the first representative from the business community
to serve in that position.
IFAC is the global organization for the
accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening
the profession and contributing to the development of strong international
economies. It is comprised of 173 members and associates in 129 countries and
jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public
practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
As
deputy president, Kirtley takes on the role of chair of the Planning and Finance
Committee, which works directly with IFAC staff to develop the organization's
strategic plan. Additionally, she will become chair of the IFAC Board's
Constitution Review Working Group and serve as a member of the Nominating
Committee and the IFAC Regulatory Liaison Group.
"There are
numerous issues facing the global business world. Olivia's election as deputy
president of the accountancy profession's global professional body is important
for both the business community and the profession," said Barry
Melancon, CPA, CGMA, president and CEO of the AICPA. "Her perspective as
former Chairman of AICPA, a former CFO and presently as board member of several
companies makes her uniquely qualified for this critical international
leadership role for the profession."
Kirtley has a long history of
service to the profession, having previously served on the independent IFAC Task
Force on Rebuilding Public Confidence in Financial Reporting in 2002 and 2003.
She became a member of the IFAC Board in November 2007.
In 1998, Kirtley
was the first woman to be elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the
AICPA and continues to serve as a member of the governing Council. From 2000 to
2003, she was chairman of the AICPA Board of Examiners, during which time the
Uniform CPA Examination was converted from pencil-and-paper to a computer based
exam.
In 2003, the AICPA awarded her its Gold Medal in recognition of her
exemplary leadership and service to the accountancy profession.
"Olivia's
CPA and CGMA credentials demonstrate deep financial and management accounting
experience that is crucial to the future of a profession that underpins the
global economy," said Charles Tilley, FCMA, CGMA and CEO of the Chartered Institute of
Management Accountants, which created the Chartered Global Management
Accountant (CGMA) designation through a joint venture with the AICPA. "The
demands on accountants are intensifying around the world, and Olivia has the
insight and vision to ensure the profession keeps pace with the challenge."