Profession's highest honor recognizes a career defined by leadership, innovation, and service

The accounting profession has bestowed its highest honor on a leader who has long made Maryland’s CPA community proud.

Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CITP, former chair of both the Maryland Association of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, has received the AICPA’s Gold Medal Award of Distinction, recognizing her extraordinary and lasting impact on the accounting profession.

The award, which has recognized some of the profession’s most influential leaders since 1944, honors individuals whose contributions have had a particularly significant impact on the profession. Ellison-Taylor received the award during the fall meeting of the AICPA Governing Council in Nashville, Tenn.

• Read more about the award here.

For MACPA members, the honor recognizes a familiar leader whose influence has extended from Maryland to the national and global stages.

Ellison-Taylor chaired the MACPA’s Board of Directors in 2010-11 before going on to serve as chair of the AICPA and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. In 2016, she became the first Black person and first African-American woman to chair the AICPA.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Ellison-Taylor has emerged as a leading voice on technology, innovation, inclusion, mentorship and the future of the profession. Her career has included leadership roles with Oracle, KPMG, Motorola, NASA, and Prince George’s County Government, and she now serves as founder and CEO of KET Solutions LLC.

Her commitment to Maryland and the profession continues today. Ellison-Taylor serves as chair of the MACPA Foundation, where she helps lead efforts to build a stronger, more diverse talent pipeline and create opportunities for the profession’s next generation.

“Kimberly has been a trailblazer, a mentor, and an extraordinary ambassador for the CPA profession for decades, and we could not be prouder to see her receive this well-deserved recognition,” said MACPA CEO Rebekah Olson, CPA. “Her leadership has opened doors, inspired countless professionals, and served as an example of her motto: 'To whom much is given, much is required.' On behalf of the entire MACPA community, I want to thank Kimberly for everything she has done, and continues to do, for CPAs in Maryland and everywhere. Our profession is stronger because of her.”

In announcing the award, former AICPA Chair Carla McCall praised Ellison-Taylor for challenging the profession to “think bigger, look forward” and recognize the possibilities created by change. “Her leadership, mentorship and advocacy resulted in impact that goes far beyond ideas – she has inspired countless people to believe they belong, to use their voices, and to see themselves as part of shaping the future of the profession,” McCall said.

For a leader who has spent so much of her career opening doors and creating possibilities for others, the Gold Medal Award of Distinction is fitting recognition — and a proud moment for Maryland’s entire CPA community.