The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) PFP Division honored three CPA/PFS at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2025.
“The CPAs recognized during this year’s ENGAGE conference positively spotlight the exemplary characteristics and exceptional dedication that comes with holding the CPA license,” said Eva Simpson, vice president of member value, tax & advisory services for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which combines the strengths of the AICPA and CIMA. “Each recipient has earned the respect of their peers and serves as an exceptional example of CPAs serving in the personal financial planning and technology advisory services areas.”
The AICPA established the P. Thomas Austin Scholarship in 2010 to honor P. Thomas Austin, a CPA who chaired the Advanced Estate Planning Conference for three decades and is currently chair emeritus.
John H. Chilcott, CPA/PFS, Washington Army National Guard, Camp Murray, WA, was awarded the 2025 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Scholarship.
John serves as a quality assurance officer with the Washington Army National Guard, where he provides expert technical guidance to the Financial Manager and U.S. Property and Fiscal Office on accounting programs, financial systems, and operational business processes. In parallel with his public service, he is in the early stages of co-founding an estate planning and estate tax firm alongside his wife, who is also a licensed CPA. John holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Accounting from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.
The AICPA’s Standing Ovation program recognizes young CPAs who exhibit exemplary professional achievement in personal financial planning. Beyond making a notable contribution to the profession, nomination requirements include maintaining an active CPA license, being an AICPA member in good standing and holding the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential.
The two recipients of the 2025 Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Standing Ovation are:
Andrew Christakos, CPA/PFS, CFP — Christakos Financial, Cranford, NJ
Andrew is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University. Andrew is committed to deepening his expertise to better serve clients. As an AICPA PFP Champion, he advocates for greater public recognition of CPA Financial Planners and promotes higher standards for financial advisors.
Matthew Kidd, CPA/PFS — Blunden & Kidd Accounting & Consulting, Livonia, MI
Matthew is President at Blunden & Kidd Accounting & Consulting. He brings broad accounting, tax and financial planning experience with individuals and businesses primarily serving clients in healthcare and other professional service fields. Matthew believes the foundation of every client relationship is truly understanding each individual’s business and personal goals and needs. He strives to leverage technology allowing business owners to focus on their business or passions rather than compliance issues. Additionally, he teaches continuing education to CPAs about how to leverage evolving technology and speaks to high school and college students regarding the CPA profession. Matthew is a sports enthusiast, avid waterskier and enjoys spending time at Higgins Lake with his family of CPAs including his two brothers and father.
About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, AICPA, and CIMA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) advances the reputation, employability, and quality of CPAs, CGMA designation holders, and accounting and financial professionals globally. Founded in 2017 by the AICPA and CIMA, it represents 580,000 AICPA and CIMA members, candidates, and registrants in more than 150 countries and territories, advocating for the public interest and business sustainability on current and emerging issues.