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A noop Natwar Mehta knows a thing or two ‘I see our profession
about perseverance.
Mehta, the 2022–2023 chair of the board of direc- steadily and enthusiastically
A first-generation Indian immigrant,

tors of the AICPA, had to adapt to a new culture taking the helm to guide
and language as a teenager. He worked his way
up the ranks from intern to CFO to president of
science, engineering, and information technology people to a brighter future.’
analytics company Science Systems and Applica-
tions Inc. (SSAI) in Lanham, Md., spending more
Anoop Natwar Mehta, CPA, CGMA, the 2022–2023 chair of the AICPA board
than 41 years with the company before taking on a
of directors
role as chief strategist at aerospace firm Analytical
Mechanics Associates (AMA) in the Hampton
Roads, Va., area. potential; diversifying the pipeline of incoming
Along the way, he learned what a rewarding accountants; and preserving trust in the profession. About the
career accounting can be — and he plans to spend He views accountants as having the ability to author
his tenure as chair helping young people understand guide businesses and clients through turbulent
Ashlin Minogue is
all it has to offer. times. “As I reflect on these last few years and
a senior content
As chair, Mehta looks forward to giving back to anticipate the coming disruptions we face,” he
writer at the
society and the profession by speaking to students said in his inaugural speech, “I see our profession
Association of
in high schools, community colleges, and universi- steadily and enthusiastically taking the helm to
International
ties about the wealth of opportunities that can arise guide people to a brighter future.”
Certified
with an accounting degree. “I’ll do whatever I can Professional
to help the next generation,” he said. ACCOUNTING EXPANDS POSSIBILITIES
Accountants,
During his tenure as chair, Mehta will focus on Mehta doesn’t want students to feel unnecessary
representing
three key areas: helping others grow to reach their pressure to follow one path for the rest of their
AICPA & CIMA. To
lives, and he wants them to know that accounting
comment on this
is a profession that embraces the fact that a person’s
article, contact
interests and abilities change as they grow.
Courtney Vien at
He views the profession as one where individu-
Courtney.Vien@
als can take a “lattice approach” to their careers.
aicpa-cima.com.
That term refers to vertical, horizontal, and diagonal
movement in professional development. The ac-
counting profession, Mehta said, allows a person to
focus on a specific area of accounting, build upon it,
and then expand to another area of interest.
He wants to showcase the many paths to a
successful accounting career, including AICPA
& CIMA Registered Apprenticeship for Finance
Business Partners, during which apprentices receive
career development and mentoring support while
pursuing the CGMA designation.
Accounting expands possibilities, he said,
because an accountant is a trusted adviser, and the
CPA license evokes respect. He wants to convey
to students that “if you’re a trusted adviser who
upholds integrity and ethics, clients will seek your
counsel and you will be successful,” he said.
During his tenure, Mehta will also focus on CPA
Evolution, a joint initiative of the AICPA and the PHOTOS BY ERIC KANYE/AP IMAGES
National Association of State Boards of Accoun-
tancy that will lead to a new CPA licensure model in
2024. Mehta cautions, “If we think that the CPA

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