The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) President and CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, announced his plans to retire from his role on Dec. 31, 2024. A strong supporter of the MICPA, Barry has shared profession insights and updates with Michigan CPAs and students for roughly 30 years. Through MICPA events such as member advisory symposiums, professional issues updates and, most recently, a Coffee and Conversations event at Schoolcraft College in January, he has connected with many throughout the state.
“Barry’s breadth of knowledge about issues affecting the profession never ceases to amaze me,” says AICPA Past Chair Leslie A. Murphy, CPA, Murphy Consulting, Inc. “Throughout my service as Chair of the Board and now as a continuing member of the Governing Council, his ability to analyze complex situations from the diverse perspectives of our global membership and those we serve is nothing short of remarkable. We have all benefitted during his 30 years as CEO of the AICPA. Barry gets up every morning thinking about the profession and no doubt that has helped each of us to be more impactful and successful!"
Indeed, to countless CPAs in Michigan, Barry’s impact on the profession is undeniable. “I have a great deal of respect for all Barry has done for our profession throughout his career,” says MICPA member Alan C. Young, CPA, Alan C. Young & Associates, P.C. “His vision and accomplishments have shaped the landscape of modern accounting and will be evident for years to come.”
Even amid the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic, Barry remained a steadying voice within the profession, going above beyond to ensure there was a network of support for its leaders. “The first time I met Barry after taking the reins of MICPA it was over Zoom; COVID had just hit and everyone was remote,” MICPA President and CEO Bob Doyle recalls. “None the less, he was incredibly welcoming to me and was a great supporter and mentor as I transitioned into my role. It wasn't until two years later that I finally met Barry in person, and it felt like we had been friends forever. That's just who Barry is.”
As Barry moves on to the next phase of his journey, the MICPA expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation for all of his hard work and dedicated service to the AICPA, the profession at large, and all of the CPAs and accounting professionals here in Michigan.