The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and CPA.com are currently looking for new applicants to participate in their joint startup accelerator program, which is focused on innovating the field of accounting, finance and regulatory technology.
The startup accelerator program is now open to entrepreneurial companies worldwide and is seeking new applicants. To be eligible, companies should be:
- At seed or pre-Series A stage (with some exceptions)
- Have a working product or service
- Focused on accounting technology or regulatory technology solutions
The AICPA is the most influential body of professional accountants in the world, with over 650,000 members and students worldwide in public and management accounting. It combines the strengths of both the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). CPA.com’s mission is to bring innovative solutions to the accounting profession, such as advancing the technology ecosystem for the profession, driving the transformation of core practise areas, and leading technology research and innovation efforts for practitioners.
Since its launch in 2017 the accelerator program has garnered interest from early-stage companies in 14 countries. The startup accelerator is aimed at helping startups to grow throughout the accounting ecosystem so that they can innovate and transform the profession. Successful applicants for the program’s third class are able to connect with and tap into the vast resources available at both the association and CPA.com, such as the expertise and knowledge of senior leaders, CPA firm leaders, and other highly influential figures in the profession as well as a highly regarded advisory group with diverse backgrounds in finance, accounting and entrepreneurship. At the same time they can also qualify for funding up to US$25,000.
The startup accelerator program has received much praise from its previous participants. Blaine Bertsch of DryRun, a cash flow forecasting software startup that was one of the participants for the program last year, said: “The accelerator was instrumental in our shift upmarket, which is proving to be essential for us. We’ve also increased our visibility and credibility in the market, which will help us grow much faster.”
Applications for the latest accelerator class are due November 30, 2019. Applicants will know of the selections by early 2020. Successful applicants for the accelerator program can expect to be featured next June at AICPA ENGAGE, one of North America’s leading accounting and finance conferences. In addition, the companies selected will also be featured at the AICPA/CPA.com Digital CPA Conference held in December 2020, which specializes in practise development topics and accounting technology.
“We offer deep insight into the rapidly changing dynamics of the accounting profession for participants in the accelerator,” said the chief operating officer of AICPA, Lawson Carmichael. “In turn, we understand that innovation in the profession can come from all sources and we want to embrace and support change and better quality.”
Interested startups and companies with a focus in accounting technology or regulatory technology solutions should apply for AICPA and CPA.com’s startup accelerator program as soon as they are able.
