Chair’s Memo: A Journey of Service, Mentorship and Purpose

As I begin my term as chair of the NASBA Board of Directors, I am filled with gratitude and humility. It is a privilege to continue advancing NASBA’s mission and protecting the public interest in the year ahead.

A Journey of Mentorship and Resilience

Preparing for this role has led me to reflect on the path that brought me here—a journey that has been anything but straight. As a first-generation college student from the east end of London, I never imagined representing some of the most respected leaders in the CPA profession. Like many of you, my experiences have shaped who I am as a professional and deepened my respect for our work as regulators. Along the way, I’ve learned the enduring values of resilience, adaptability and mentorship—principles that continue to guide me today.

Mentorship has been a constant thread throughout my life. My first accounting professor encouraged me to become a CPA. My business partner taught me to persevere through difficulties, and Nevada State Board of Accountancy leaders encouraged me to get involved in NASBA. Each of them instilled in me a sense of curiosity, perseverance and purpose. Through NASBA, I have found a community built on those same values—dedicated, collaborative and driven to serve the public interest.

Carrying the Torch of Public Protection

Serving on the Nevada Board was a defining experience that deepened my understanding of what it truly means to serve the public interest. I came to realize that regulation isn’t about red tape; it’s about protecting the public interest and maintaining the trust that underpins our profession. That experience reinforced that CPAs are more than technical experts; we are stewards of integrity and trusted advisors to the business community. That same sense of duty guides my priorities as chair: to ensure that NASBA continues to promote a well-regulated, accessible and responsive profession—without compromising the high standards that define the CPA license.

Navigating Change Together

Each generation of NASBA leadership has faced its own set of challenges—from legislative threats to professional licensure to the need for new pathways to the CPA credential. Our role has always been to strike a balance between flexibility and rigor. Today, we face an evolving landscape marked by increasingly complex firm ownership structures, external challenges to the licensing framework, and emerging technologies such as AI that are reshaping traditional oversight. We are meeting these challenges proactively.

Two new joint task forces are already at work—one addressing regulatory threats and another evaluating the continuing professional education landscape. Through collaboration and foresight, we can adapt to change while preserving the foundation of public protection.

Preserving Uniformity and Mobility

One of our profession’s greatest strengths is uniformity—a shared framework that allows CPAs to practice across jurisdictions with consistency and trust. For today’s generation, mobility may feel like a given, but it was hard-won through years of collective effort. The Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) is central to that success. It ensures that CPAs meet consistent standards of competence, ethics, and integrity, safeguarding the public’s confidence in both the profession and the markets we serve.

As we move toward implementing the new pathway to CPA licensure, the UAA must remain our guidepost. It not only anchors our profession in uniformity and reciprocity but also ensures that our regulatory framework evolves without losing its integrity. This shared commitment to consistency is what keeps our profession relevant, respected and resilient.

Strategic Planning for the Future

Next month, our Strategic Planning Task Force will begin its work, building on insights from this year’s diagnostic initiative, which as you may recall sought out comprehensive feedback from our key stakeholders. My goal is for our strategic plan to be more than a document—it should be a living framework that aligns our mission with actionable goals. I envision a NASBA with a clear, shared sense of direction; with priorities aligned to protect the public while strengthening the profession; and with resources and decisions guided by strategy and purpose rather than reaction. We will continue to share updates and invite input as this process unfolds, ensuring that our vision reflects the dynamic environment in which we operate.

A Call to Action

As I look ahead, I invite each of you to stay engaged—mentor students and young professionals, advocate for consistency across jurisdictions, and share the story of our profession. Remind the business community that CPAs are essential to a fair, transparent and ethical economy. In a world of rapid change, the need for principled professionals has never been greater.

The opportunities before us are vast, even if they arrive wrapped in complexity. If we meet them with collaboration, compromise and courage, we will continue to protect the public—not in spite of change, but through it. Together, we have built a strong foundation. Now, as we look to the future, we have every reason to believe it will be even brighter.

Nicola Neilon, CPA
NASBA Chair, 2025-2026