The State Society Leadership Academy is a dynamic, interactive leadership development program designed specifically for young CPAs ready to grow their influence and elevate their careers. Through a series of immersive, skills-based sessions, participants gain practical tools in communication, decision-making, emotional intelligence, and personal branding—key competencies that set emerging leaders apart. The Academy’s flexible format (virtual, hybrid, or in-person) allows participants to learn alongside peers while applying new skills directly to their current roles. Are you a rising CPA who wants to lead with confidence, even before you have the title? The State Society Leadership Academy is your launchpad. This exclusive program helps you sharpen the human skills that matter most—like clear communication, building trust, managing up, and defining your professional brand. You’ll gain strategies to make smarter decisions, grow your visibility, and drive your career forward in ways that technical skills alone can’t deliver. Every session is interactive, practical, and designed specifically for early-career CPAs navigating today’s fast-paced business landscape. By joining the Leadership Academy, you’ll connect with like-minded professionals, learn from expert facilitators, and emerge with a clear plan to grow your leadership capacity—right now, not five years from now. Whether you prefer a virtual format, hybrid model, or in-person experience, this program will help you become the kind of leader the profession needs: authentic, influential, and future-ready. Don’t wait to be asked—step into leadership today.
Course ID: AICPALDA
AICPA Leadership Development Academy
Learning Objectives
- Identify key leadership traits and describe how leadership can be demonstrated through influence rather than authority in a technical CPA role.
- Select communication techniques that enhance clarity and effectiveness, including adapting style to audience and practicing active listening.
- Recall the role of trust in professional relationships and identify strategies for strengthening workplace connections and navigating office dynamics.
- Distinguish a personal brand statement that reflects individual strengths and values, and describe best practices for managing your professional reputation.
- Select structured decision-making frameworks to evaluate options and recognize common cognitive biases that affect professional judgment.
- Indicate techniques for effectively communicating ideas to senior leaders, including tailoring messaging to leadership priorities and increasing visibility.
- Recall the four components of emotional intelligence and identify techniques to strengthen emotional regulation and empathy in professional settings.
- Identify a personal leadership development plan by setting career goals and identifying opportunities for mentorship and leadership within current roles.
Major Topics
The Leadership Development Academy consists of eight 2.5 hour sessions. The sessions can be delivered in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid manner.
- Session #1: What It Means to Be a Leader (Even Without a Title)
- Understanding leadership as influence rather than authority
- Developing a leadership mindset in a technical role
- Key leadership traits for CPAs
- Session #2: Communicating with Impact: How to Be Heard and Understood
- The essentials of clear and persuasive communication
- Active listening and asking the right questions
- Adapting communication styles for different audiences
- Session #3: Building Relationships and Trust in a Professional Environment
- The role of trust in leadership and teamwork
- Navigating workplace dynamics and office politics
- Strategies for networking and building strong professional relationships
- Session #4: Personal Branding: Defining Your Professional Style
- How to stand out as a young CPA
- Building credibility and a leadership presence
- Managing your reputation online and in person
- Session #5: Problem-Solving and Decision-Making for CPAs
- Critical thinking frameworks for better decisions
- Identifying biases and blind spots in decision-making
- Case studies on real-world business and financial decisions
- Session #6: Managing Up: How to Influence Your Boss and Senior Leaders
- Understanding what senior leaders care about
- Presenting ideas with confidence and clarity
- Strategies for gaining visibility and credibility
- Session #7: Emotional Intelligence for Emerging Leaders
- The four pillars of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship management)
- Managing emotions under pressure
- Empathy and perspective-taking in the workplace
- Session #8: Taking Charge of Your Career: Leadership Growth Strategies for CPAs
- Setting career goals and building a leadership development plan
- The importance of mentorship and sponsorship
- Creating opportunities for leadership in your current role
Who Should Attend
High-potential staff looking to fast-track their leadership skills
Fields of Study
Personal DevelopmentPrerequisites
A growth mindset and eagerness to learnHigh-potential staff looking to fast-track their leadership skills