COCPA, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, is a nonprofit 501c (6) membership association with 11 chapters throughout Colorado, serving approximately 7,000 members. Its mission is to serve, support, and advocate for the accounting profession by connecting CPAs personally and meaningfully to all aspects of the profession. COCPA fosters success in the CPA profession and the success of individual CPA professionals by providing opportunities for community, education, and advocacy. It is the preeminent leadership development organization for CPAs in Colorado, with a budget of $3.5 million plus, and a staff of 15. COCPA is led by an 11-member Board of Directors which is responsible for policy and strategy.
COCPA is also responsible for the operation of the COCPA Educational Foundation, a nonprofit 501c (3) providing scholarships to students in Colorado on a path to a CPA career. The Foundation is led by an 11-member Board of Trustees.
The CEO is the executive leader of COCPA who serves as the face of the organization, acting as a strong advocate for and representative of the accounting profession. The CEO will work in partnership with the Board, volunteer members, and staff to address issues that impact the profession and will promote policies that serve the best interests of COCPA members and the CPA profession. The CEO is a strategic leader and thinker who creates a service-minded and responsive organization to ensure COCPA’s future viability. The CEO builds and strengthens relationships with key stakeholders and fosters the generation of innovative ideas for future growth.
Vision and Strategic Leadership: The CEO partners with the Board to lead and develop the strategic vision and plan for the future of COCPA. The CEO continually analyzes and monitors changing environmental factors that affect the CPA profession and provides direction and guidance to the Board, volunteers, and staff to ensure the strategic direction, vision, mission, and goals to meet the changing needs of the CPA profession and members. The CEO works in collaboration with state and national organizations to promote a public policy agenda and serves as the premier voice for CPAs throughout Colorado.
Organizational and Operational Management: The CEO is responsible for COCPA’s human, material, and fiscal assets. The CEO works to build an effective and successful organizational culture based on collaboration and accountability to support core values and to ensure high-quality service to its members across the state of Colorado.
Public Relations and Advocacy: Acting as chief advocate and spokesperson for the Society, the CEO promotes the CPA profession and engages in active dialogue with members, partners (governmental, public, and private), volunteers, and Board to expand innovative services and involvement. The CEO actively supports and strengthens the Society’s culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability.
A minimum of an earned Bachelor’s degree is required.
A CPA (or other comparable certification) will enhance the candidate’s qualifications.
Strengths will include broad-based business skills with a minimum of five years’ comparable executive-level experience including P&L, and ten or more years in leadership roles of progressive responsibility.
Displays strong visionary, business savvy with high emotional intelligence and high level of integrity.
Inspirational and motivating leader with strong public speaking experience, able to lead and communicate both virtually and in large group settings.
Must demonstrate excellent writing skills.
Displays a strong record of organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills to lead staff, volunteers, and external parties to support the vision, mission, and operational goals of COCPA.
Experience in business process and change management, strategic planning, and government affairs. Prior experience as lobbyist will enhance the candidate’s qualifications.
Committed to excellence in customer and membership management, including in-person and virtual connections.
Solid understanding of and appreciation for COCPA’s services, member groups, core values, advocacy, and public relations.
Familiarity with Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) principles and strategies or similar systems of management preferred.
Strong commitment to COCPA’s Core Values: We are adaptable and courageous. We practice a can-do attitude. We are engaged and dependable. We deliver professional high-quality work. We are member/people focused.
The Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA) is the statewide, not-for-profit
professional association serving Colorado CPAs and the public for over 100 years. Founded in
1904, the COCPA comprises over 6,500 members, most of whom live and work in Colorado.
Members are CPAs in public practice, industry, education, and government; non-CPAs on the
professional staff of a Colorado CPA or CPA firm; Colorado accounting faculty; accounting
professionals employed in industry; and students enrolled in a qualified accounting program.
