Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2023) – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) was saddened to hear of the passing of nationally renowned tax attorney and educator, Sidney Kess, who passed away at the age of 97. Mr. Kess dedicated decades of services to the CPA profession, going above and beyond to raise the bar for CPAs who provide personal financial planning services.
“The accounting profession has lost a true champion of tax and personal financial planning,” said AICPA President and CEO, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA. “Sid’s contributions to the profession are innumerable, significant and have created a legacy that will continue on for many decades to come.”
Mr. Kess began volunteering with the AICPA when he created the Tax Strategies for High Income Individuals Conference more than 30 years ago. Over the years, Mr. Kess passionately highlighted the value of financial planning and spent a great deal of time reaching out to young people and encouraging them in their CPA/PFS pursuits, lecturing more than one million practitioners on tax, financial and estate planning and becoming recognized as one of the nation’s best known continuing professional education lecturers.
In 2010, the AICPA established the Sidney Kess Award for Excellence in Continuing Education to recognize individual CPAs who have made significant and outstanding contributions in tax and financial planning and whose public service exemplifies the CPA profession’s finest values and ethics.
“Sid had a wonderful heart and loved to help others,” said AICPA Vice President for Tax Practice & Personal Financial Planning, Eva Simpson, CPA, CGMA. “He was known to many, many people because of his kindness and his incredible knowledge of the profession. Sid was highly respected and truly cared about people.”Throughout his life, Mr. Kess authored and co-authored hundreds of publications, courses, videos, and practice aids on income tax and financial and estate planning for the AICPA, as well as CCH software (formerly Commerce Clearing House). He has been recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, including AICPA’s Gold Medal Award, the highest award granted to a CPA by the AICPA, for his major contributions to the CPA profession, and the AICPA’s Special Recognition and Distinguished Lecturer Awards.
“Sid’s passing is a great loss, not only for his friends and family, but also for the entire accounting profession,” said Melanie Lauridsen, Vice President of Tax Policy & Advocacy for the AICPA. “More than just a giant in the accounting profession, Sid was very well known for being someone who truly cared about other people. Anyone lucky enough to encounter him was in awe of not only his vast knowledge and intelligence, but also his immense kindness.”
“The AICPA mourns the loss of Mr. Sidney Kess, His contributions in life, both professional and personal, will never be forgotten,” said Melancon.
About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA®) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 421,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.
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Contact: Veronica L. Vera
202-434-9215
Veronica.Vera@aicpa-cima.com