december2021 - 18
FEATURE
Commemorating 100
Years of Black CPAs
and Looking Forward
By Anita Dennis
THROUGHOUT 2021, THE profession celebrated
a landmark achievement that occurred in the
face of adversity. In 1921, John W. Cromwell
Jr. became the first black CPA, an accomplishment
that opened doors for generations of
aspiring black CPAs.
The successes of early black CPAs and those who came after
them were the catalyst for this year's Black CPA Centennial
project. The multifaceted yearlong effort was a collaboration of
the AICPA, the Diverse Organization of Firms Inc., the Illinois
CPA Society, the National Association of Black Accountants,
and the National Society of Black CPAs.
HONORING THE PAST
The Black CPA Centennial highlighted the inspiring stories of
black CPAs who broke through barriers and inspired others to
do the same. Some of the pioneers who were featured include:
* Cromwell, whose family put an emphasis on education, attended
a college preparatory program at Howard. He studied mathematics
and astronomy at Dartmouth, earning a bachelor's and master's
degree, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and winning the Thayer
Prize in mathematics there. Although he also taught himself
accounting, he had to wait 15 years to become a CPA. The delay
occurred because he was unable to obtain the experience needed
for licensure since CPA firms refused to hire him and other black
accountants during that time because they insisted that white
clients wouldn't work with a black person. In 1921, he took the
Uniform CPA Examination in New Hampshire, which did not
have an experience requirement. During his career, he worked
with clients in the Washington, D.C., area, taught mathematics,
and spent three years as the comptroller of Howard University.
* Mary T. Washington Wylie became the nation's first black woman
CPA and the 13th black person to become a CPA in 1943, a full
22 years after Cromwell earned his credential. After opening a
practice in her basement in Chicago, she worked tirelessly to
find and employ aspiring black CPAs so that they would have
the experience they needed to join the profession. Her firm's
clients were generally small black-owned businesses and not-forprofits,
as well as large black-owned companies. The firm would
ultimately grow to become one of the largest black-owned firms
in the country at one point.
* Having black professors teaching accounting classes can influence
whether black students choose to study accounting. Two pioneers
opened the door to academia for generations who came after
18 DECEMBER 2021 ■ www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com
http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com
december2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of december2021
From the Editor: Your Personal Enrichment Schedule for 2022
Evaluating the "New" Tax Season Normal for Tax Advisors
Gearing Up for Tax Season
Checklist for End-of-Year Activites with Clients
Calm Down - It's Only Taxes
How to be Proactive vs. Reactionary as a Tax Pro
From the Trenches: Client Experience for Today and Tomorrow – Ten Ideas for Your Playbook
Let's Build a 2022 Q1 Marketing Plan for Your Firm
Commemorating 100 Years of Black CPAs and Looking Forward
Why Your Firm Needs Gated Content
Dancing in the Dark: 2022 Will See Shifting Tax Regulations in the U.S. and Abroad
The Labor Law Advisor: Preparing for an OSHA Inspection
The Millennial Advisor: Avoiding the Inevitable
Accounting Meta Influencers Discuss Trends, Provide Actionable Insights
The Leadership Advisor: COVID-19 Taught Us the Importance of Slowing Down
Apps We Love: Apps for Charitable Giving
The ProAdvisor Spotlight: Integration of QuickBooks Online and Mailchimp Create Personalized Marketing Campaigns
The Staffing & HR Advisor: How a Learning Culture Can Transform Your Practice
Getting Paid by Venmo or PayPal? The IRS Will Know
AICPA News: A round up of recent association news and events
Bridging the Gap: 6 Tips for Managing Technostress
december2021 - 1
december2021 - 2
december2021 - 3
december2021 - From the Editor: Your Personal Enrichment Schedule for 2022
december2021 - Evaluating the "New" Tax Season Normal for Tax Advisors
december2021 - Gearing Up for Tax Season
december2021 - 7
december2021 - Checklist for End-of-Year Activites with Clients
december2021 - 9
december2021 - Calm Down - It's Only Taxes
december2021 - How to be Proactive vs. Reactionary as a Tax Pro
december2021 - 12
december2021 - 13
december2021 - From the Trenches: Client Experience for Today and Tomorrow – Ten Ideas for Your Playbook
december2021 - 15
december2021 - 16
december2021 - Let's Build a 2022 Q1 Marketing Plan for Your Firm
december2021 - Commemorating 100 Years of Black CPAs and Looking Forward
december2021 - 19
december2021 - Why Your Firm Needs Gated Content
december2021 - Dancing in the Dark: 2022 Will See Shifting Tax Regulations in the U.S. and Abroad
december2021 - The Labor Law Advisor: Preparing for an OSHA Inspection
december2021 - The Millennial Advisor: Avoiding the Inevitable
december2021 - Accounting Meta Influencers Discuss Trends, Provide Actionable Insights
december2021 - 25
december2021 - 26
december2021 - 27
december2021 - The Leadership Advisor: COVID-19 Taught Us the Importance of Slowing Down
december2021 - Apps We Love: Apps for Charitable Giving
december2021 - The ProAdvisor Spotlight: Integration of QuickBooks Online and Mailchimp Create Personalized Marketing Campaigns
december2021 - The Staffing & HR Advisor: How a Learning Culture Can Transform Your Practice
december2021 - Getting Paid by Venmo or PayPal? The IRS Will Know
december2021 - AICPA News: A round up of recent association news and events
december2021 - Bridging the Gap: 6 Tips for Managing Technostress
december2021 - 35
december2021 - 36
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