Voting for the 2025 Innovative Practitioner Award is now open.

Rose Araghchy, CPA, is the Founder and Principal of R2 Advisors Pc, an innovative firm redefining the future of accounting through technology, integration, and strategic foresight. She developed the Financial Strategy Integration Framework (FSIF)—a patent-pending model that unites operations, tax/compliance, and finance into one intelligent, data-driven system that delivers CFO-level insight and real-time decision support. Under her leadership, R2 Advisors has become a fully automated, client-centric practice, embedding RPA, AI analytics, and predictive dashboards to transform compliance into continuous advisory. She also launched the Catalyst Collective, a methodology lab for continuous innovation, where client challenges spark new automation, process design, and data solutions. Rose’s leadership is elevating the profession, demonstrating how modern accountants can combine technology, strategy, and purpose to create measurable, lasting impact.

Innovation Highlights

• Integrated Financial Intelligence Platform: Through the Financial Strategy Integration Framework (FSIF), R2 Advisors connects tax, operational, and financial systems into one synchronized platform that powers CFO-level foresight, real-time decision modeling, and compliance confidence.
• Automation-Driven Review and Insight Systems: Implemented a proprietary AI-assisted compliance layer using customized prompts and automated workflows, ensuring tax accuracy and uncovering advisory opportunities within each review cycle.
• Data-Driven Executive Dashboards: Built industry-specific KPI dashboards that integrate forecasting, liquidity stress tests, and risk mapping—turning static reports into dynamic decision tools.
• The Catalyst Collective: Established an internal innovation lab that continuously prototypes new automation, analytics, and process frameworks—advancing how firms deliver clarity and strategic impact to executives.

Paul Peterson is the Managing Partner at Wiss. He is grateful to work with colleagues who have built a culture of genuine care and innovation. Together, they have created an environment where people feel valued and are empowered to excel. It’s this unique culture, grounded in authenticity and mutual support, that make him the proudest.

As the accounting profession evolves, Wiss enthusiastically embraces the potential of technology and AI to elevate our role from number crunchers to trusted strategic advisors. But beyond the numbers and technology, Paul’s success will always be rooted in people—in building teams that thrive and helping others grow personally and professionally.

Throughout his career, Paul has been fortunate to have incredible mentors and teammates who have deeply influenced his perspective on leadership and teamwork. Growing up as an athlete, sports instilled in him resilience, adaptability, and a belief in continuous improvement—lessons that remain at the core of his professional life today.

Paul has always been drawn to stories of underdogs who rise and succeed against the odds. That’s why Wiss’ collaboration with Team Walker means so much to him—especially our financial literacy initiatives that equip young people with the tools and confidence to build strong futures.

Innovation Highlights

• Paul is the driver behind Wiss delivering innovative client service and advisory model beyond just numbers
• Paul sees modern accounting not just as bookkeeping or compliance, but as strategic advisory enabled by AI-driven technology
• Paul is a big advocate for maintaining people-first culture and humanizing finance work which translates into multiple industry accolades for the company

Amy Sac is redefining innovation in the accounting profession. As the driving force behind PriceKubecka’s Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audit practice, she has leveraged technology to work not just faster—but smarter. Her early and hands-on implementation of an industry-leading, fully automated, standards-based EBP audit platform has enabled the firm to expand capacity, improve profitability, and elevate audit quality without compromising client service.

Under Amy’s leadership, audit hours have been reduced by more than 60%, dramatically increasing efficiency while maintaining accuracy and service quality. This leap in productivity has allowed the firm to take on more plans without lowering fees, driving record profitability.EBP audits now generate more than half of PriceKubecka’s revenue, making them a sustainable cornerstone of the firm.

Amy also leads the charge to pilot beta features of the auditing technology, including automated early-season payroll data collection and AI-driven trust report reconciliation, enabling her team to import and process plan data months before audit season begins.

Zeb Smith, CPA, founded his practice in 2016 in Durango, Colorado. Given his recreation-prone geographical location, he serendipitously began building a client portfolio of outdoor outfitters (i.e. river rafting and zip line providers).

A lifelong outdoorsman himself, and a practitioner of Servant Leadership, Zeb was drawn to the passion and ethos of his clients’ industry. After just five years, Zebulon LLC transformed from a generalist practice into a nationally recognized, hyper-specialized firm.

Zeb strengthens small outdoor businesses through FP&A, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to bottom lines of outfitters nationwide. His firm has matured into a subscription-based retainer system, comprised of long-term, multi-year client partnerships. Zeb is also a sought-after speaker in the outdoor industry, where he teaches financial acumen and innovative leadership strategies.

Zebulon LLC’s two most impactful innovations to date include:

Innovation Highlights

• The Eddy, the outfitting industry’s only non-competitive leadership peer group. Zebulon brings growth-minded FP&A clients together on a recurring basis, sharing financial data in confidence and teaching a proprietary curriculum designed for seasonal businesses based on top MBA programs. This award-winning group blends financial acumen with a devotion to Servant Leadership in a truly innovative space. Thanks to The Eddy’s nationwide member base, Zebulon can share best practices, best vendors, and what margins should look like – giving clients a unique competitive advantage, not to mention confidence in their business.
• The Central Data Hub, powered using the Power BI platform, that compiles clients’ financial & reservation data from myriad systems and platforms. Zebulon’s Central Data Hub extracts trends from previously incompatible data sets, and the financial insights it generates are crucial business tools for Zebulon’s beloved FP&A clients that run seasonal, weather-dependent companies.

Victoria Thayer, CPA, is the Founder and CEO of Novii CPA, a Madison-based accounting firm redefining what it means to be a modern CPA practice. With a background in chemical engineering and a master’s in accounting, Victoria combines technical precision with entrepreneurial vision to serve high-growth biotech, life sciences, and manufacturing companies. Her firm operates as a fractional accounting and finance department, emphasizing strategy over compliance. Recognized as one of In Business Madison’s 40 Under 40, CPA Practice Advisor’s 40 Under 40, Top 50 Women in Accounting, and awarded the 2024 AICPA Young CPA Award and 2023 WICPA Young Professional Award, Victoria is reshaping accounting—integrating technology, mentorship, and innovation to elevate client outcomes and the profession itself.

Innovation Highlights

• Rethinking Growth Support for Startups
  Novii CPA doesn't just provide accounting services; we partner with startups at every growth stage—transforming financial operations into a strategic driver of innovation. We've pioneered a fractional financial leadership model that allows startups to access a fully integrated CFO-level advisory without the cost of a full-time executive. From navigating government grants to preparing for IPOs or M&As, our tailored financial strategies proactively shape business decisions, ensuring startups have the resources and expertise needed to scale efficiently and effectively.
• Empowering a Collaborative Team to Drive Client Success
  At Novii, we prioritize collaboration, ensuring every voice contributes to shaping our strategy. Our annual 4-day team retreat allows us to optimize workflows, align goals, and refine strategies with input from all levels—making sure every team member, regardless of role or seniority, is invited to contribute. By fostering a culture of openness and shared responsibility, we create an environment where our team thrives, benefiting our clients with the best ideas and solutions.
• Redefining the Firm Model
  Transitioned from traditional hourly billing to a subscription-based model that provides proactive, continuous financial partnership for startups—making expert accounting support predictable and accessible.

Robin Thieme is the Founder, CEO, and CAO (Chief Anticipation Officer) of KBS CFO, LLC. With over 30 years of financial and accounting experience, Robin is a seasoned expert with a passion for seeing around corners and leveraging new technologies to drive business growth. Together with the dynamic team at KBS, she provides strategic guidance and innovative system-based solutions to entrepreneurs across various industries.

As an early adopter of virtual organization practices, Robin built KBS as a pioneering virtual entity long before "cloud computing" became a mainstream term. This forward-thinking approach continues to shape her client-centric strategies, enabling her to establish tailored efficiencies and solutions that align seamlessly with the ever-evolving business environment.

Innovation Highlights

• Early adopter of CAS business model as well as CAS curriculum for the AICPA and CPA.com.
• Development and advocacy for term "Transaction Specialist" to replace the term bookkeeping.
• Early adopter of the fully virtual, 'blind' Work Simulation for recruiting and retention.

Barrett Young, CPA, is the Marketing and Tax Partner at GWCPA and co-leads the firm alongside his partner in transforming an 80-year-old practice for the next generation. Together, they’ve redefined what a modern accounting firm looks like - balancing foresight, empowerment, and empathy. Barrett has led GWCPA’s push toward transparent, subscription-based pricing and tech-driven client engagement, all while reinvisioning the relational foundation our profession was built on. He also hosts The Art of Succession podcast, where he sparks candid conversations about small business transition. A lifelong learner and passionate teacher, Barrett’s mission is to make accounting more human - helping both clients and peers lead with foresight, clarity, and confidence.

Innovation Highlights

• Subscription-Based Pricing: Barrett designed and implemented GWCPA’s subscription pricing model, replacing traditional hourly billing with transparent, results-driven structures. This approach empowers clients to plan strategically without fear of the clock, while giving the firm predictable, scalable revenue and simple triggers for newly scoped work that supports reinvestment in innovation and talent.
• Digital Transformation & AI Integration: Co-leading GWCPA’s modernization efforts, Barrett introduced AI-powered processes, a client-facing customGPT, and an EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) workflow that have streamlined delivery, improved collaboration, and elevated both client and employee experience. These systems transformed how the team delivers insights - faster, clearer, and more proactive than ever.
• Education & Industry Influence: Between 6 years of volunteering on the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy and, more recently, launching and hosting the firm's Youtube channel and The Art of Succession podcast, Barrett helps both business owners and fellow accountants alike prepare for a new future at the intersection of tradition and technology. His leadership has positioned GWCPA as both a mentor and a model for firms seeking stronger automated processes without losing our status as trusted advisors.

Angel Zhen, CPA, represents the next generation of innovative practitioners transforming how the profession works and lives. Based in Pasadena, California, Angel built a $500K+ solo firm with no team, no office, and no burnout—powered by automation, AI, and modern systems. Using tools like Zapier, TaxDome, Lacerte, Perplexity AI, and Blue J, he’s eliminated most manual admin and delivers same-week results clients once waited weeks for. In 2025, he launched The Profitable Solopreneur Playbook, now used by 200+ CPAs to streamline workflows, raise fees, and reclaim time. As a 2025 AICPA Leadership Academy Selectee, Angel exemplifies the future CPA generation—using AI-driven efficiency to elevate advisory, deepen client relationships, and prove that one visionary professional can outperform an entire firm.

Innovation Highlights

• Built a $500K+ solo CPA firm powered by automation & AI—no team, no office, no burnout.
• Created The Profitable Solopreneur Playbook, helping 200+ CPAs streamline, scale, and raise fees.
• Leads a movement proving that one CPA—with vision and systems—can outperform entire firms.