In September 2025, Stephanie Otero, CPA, began her role as AICPA vice president — Small Firm Advocate. Staff at the Association and AICPA members are delighted to welcome her into her new role. Hear from Stephanie directly in the video and message below.
I’m honored to introduce myself to you as the new AICPA vice president — Small Firm Advocate. This is an exciting and pivotal time for small firms, and I know from personal experience that small firm practitioners are uniquely positioned to adapt, innovate, and succeed.
As we begin working together, I’d like to share a bit about myself and what drives my commitment to supporting you.
I ran my own CPA firm for 13 years.
At first, it was just me working out of my home. As my firm grew, I felt I needed an office to meet clients, so I hired a full-time firm administrator and added a new team member in each of those early years until we reached a total of five.
We began by offering tax, accounting, and advisory services mainly to small businesses and individuals, but we started to specialize in not-for-profits as this practice area grew. The breadth of our work gave me an appreciation for the vital role small firms play in their communities and the deep, trusted relationships they build with their clients.
Running a firm taught me invaluable lessons.
What began as a way to earn income while staying home with my new baby quickly grew into a true practice fueled by client referrals. I found myself balancing every aspect of my business — from client service and business development to team leadership and technology decisions.
Along the way, I learned the value of resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness. I also recognized the importance of critical community and peer connections.
I want to put my advocacy experience to work for you.
After my years in public practice, I ran a not-for-profit for nearly seven years, then joined the Association as associate director of AICPA’s Not-for-Profit Section.
In my new role, I plan to bring my lived experiences to the table. I will listen carefully, advocate practical solutions, and ensure small firm and sole practitioners’ voices are heard and represented in broader conversations shaping the profession.
Not-for-profits and small firms have a lot in common — leaders in both settings need to be resourceful, adapt quickly, and wear multiple hats.
My experience as a not-for-profit CEO sharpened my leadership skills and taught me how to advocate and collaborate effectively. I built coalitions, amplified the voices of underserved communities, and ensured resources were aligned with real-world challenges.
Those same principles guide my work today. Advocating for small firms requires an understanding of your daily realities and effectively communicating those needs to stakeholders who can help drive meaningful change.
I recognize that firms are navigating multiple challenges.
When it comes to regulations and standards, advocacy is essential to ensure that the unique realities of small firms are considered in decision-making. At the same time, technological tools that can significantly enhance small firms’ competitiveness and productivity also present both opportunities and complexities. And, of course, recruiting, retaining and developing the next generation of CPAs remains a critical priority.
I see many opportunities for small CPA firms to redefine success.
For some of you,that may mean expanding into advisory services, leveraging new tech, or developing innovative practice models. The future is bright for firms that are willing to evolve while staying true to the personalized, relationship-driven service that sets you apart.
I look forward to working with you.
Small firms are the heartbeat of our profession — with the right support, you’ll continue to be essential partners for businesses and communities alike.
My goal is to ensure small firms and sole practitioners have the resources and advocacy you need to meet the future with confidence. I want you to know that I see you — not just as professionals, but as leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders.
I’ve been in your shoes and deeply respect the commitment it takes to manage a firm while delivering outstanding client service. I also want you to know that I’m accessible. My role isn’t about talking at small firms but about listening to and learning from you, so we can move forward together. Feel free to contact me at stephanie.otero@aicpa-cima.com.
About Small Firms Solutions and the Private Companies Practice Section
Small firms are an integral part of the accounting profession, and the AICPA is dedicated to providing resources and support to our sole practitioner and small firm members. Access resources on the Small Firms Hub.
Stephanie Otero, CPA, hosts two valuable webcasts:
Small Firm Update — a complementary webcast series that provides an overview of the current financial climate for firms.
The Small Firm Issues webcasts examine pressing topics raised by our CPA Firm Top Issues Survey; discuss MAP Survey information; and highlight recent events. Note: CPE credits are provided with Small Firm Issues webcasts; AICPA members receive a discount, and PCPS members receive an additional 20% off.
The Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) is an opportunity to join an exclusive team of AICPA members to share insights and best practices with peers. Contact the PCPS team.
Further, you are invited to join a networking group. For more information, please click on the applicable link below:
Small Firm Networking Groups (sole practitioners and firms with up to 10 CPAs)
Medium Firm Networking Groups (11–20 CPAs)
Large Firm Networking Group (more than 20 CPAs)