I demystify technical accounting and create relatable content about emerging technology | 40 Under 40 2021 - CPA Practice Advisor | Consultant and College Educator | LinkedIn Top Voice

Let’s face it... exemplary accountants are in short supply.

I want to do something about it!

◆ I am a CPA passionate about meaningful educational content creation to demystify accounting, technology, and the convergence of the two.
◆ I am an experienced professional who blends technical accounting expertise with an IT specialty and Big 4 public accounting experience. 
◆ I am a dedicated consultant who pioneered working remotely starting in 2012 and have over a decade of experience creating a seamless client and student experience virtually.

✨ Accounting 40 Under 40 2024 - CPA Practice Advisor
✨ 2021 Top 50 Women in Accounting Nominee
✨ Accounting 40 Under 40 2021 - CPA Practice Advisor
🏅University of Denver Young Alumna of the Year 2020
✨ Accounting 20 Under 40 Influencer 2017-2019 - CPA Practice Advisor

Featured in:
💻 LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Alumni (2022)
📰 CPA Practice Advisor
📰 KALA Magazine, publication of the Hawaii Society of CPAs
🎙The Cloud Accounting Podcast
🎙The Sage Advice Podcast
💻 Going Concern

Ps. How do you pronounce my last name? Lef-chick (⬅️🐥)

I've always wondered why people relinquish their CPA license. Voluntarily.

Many say it's because they don't want to keep up with the continuing education requirements and that their job doesn't require it.

I find that short-sighted.

It's always great to be learning new things (even if they're required by the license). 

You never know what opportunities will knock because of “CPA” behind your name.

Plus, underappreciated, is the requirement in most states to be a CPA to sign off on your subordinates' hours for licensure.

There's a reason why I've moved my license five times.

And I'm still hanging on to the old ones as well… that part gets some fair questions! 

I honestly don't understand the motivation for letting it lapse or giving it up voluntarily.

What do you think?

#cpa #accountingandaccountants

Megan Lewczyk, CPA, CMA

I demystify technical accounting and create relatable content about emerging technology | 40 Under 40 2021 - CPA Practice Advisor | Consultant and College Educator

LinkedIn Top Voice | I demystify technical accounting and create relatable content about emerging technology and CPA & CMA exams | 40 Under 40 CPA 2024 | Founder & Principal Consultant and College Educator | Big 4 Alum

What is the status on CPA pathways initiative in the US? 

31 states have adopted a second path (allowing for an accounting-focused (with upper level accounting credits) bachelor's degree + 2 years of experience).

Credit: AICPA for the most recent map I have seen!

The CPA license in the age of AI... worth it? 

I mentioned I would talk about this yesterday. 

Here's my thoughts:

As time goes on, it's going to be harder and harder to verify whether someone has the right expertise. 

People can "hold out" to know literally anything... It's honestly a bit annoying. 

Information was already prevalent before. You could Google accounting topics. 

But the accounting profession was always sort of "insulated" because the data was not widely available. 

Most experts do not share their secret sauce online. Their consultations are verbal, not recorded, and definitely not posted much.

The proprietary research tools are expensive, so only professionals have access to them. 

I remember when I was developing content for CPA exam prep, you could get the Internal Revenue Code (btw, the government text isn't copyrighted, unlike the FASB codification - it is) in multiple places, but if you scratched below the surface, there was nothing available. 

Gen AI has, to a certain extent, started breaking down that wall.

High-quality research is quicker and easier. 

And whether we like it or not, much of the information-gathering and research phase of solving business owners' problems can be initiated with ChatGPT, Claude, or...

the best option - a niche LLM with proprietary accounting content. 

But this is where licensure matters.

While I can find medical advice on ChatGPT, I still need to go to my doctor to apply it to me. 

And licensure allows us to be that trusted expert for others.

That's why the exam is so hard, and the experience component is required. 

As time goes on, I anticipate that the CPA exam will continue to be a high bar...

I expect that in the next five to ten years, we'll be talking about increasing the experience requirement. 

Stay tuned to see if I think getting the CMA was worth it. This post got a little long. :)

What do you think? Will we want to increase the experience requirement? Will the CPA still be relevant in ten years? 

#accountingandaccountants

Is the CPA still worth it in 2026? Let's discuss.

Of course, you can guess what I will say...

I'll share some of my thoughts about it tomorrow and how it's changed my career.

How about my honest assessment of the CMA after 6 years? 

I can share that too. 

Does AI make either more or less valuable? 

#accountingandaccountants #cpaexam

Is anyone else still teaching the “circle method” for T-accounts? 

I’m realizing it might not be as commonly taught as I assumed… 

Don’t get me started about the accounting equation hand 🤚 memory aid! 

#accountingandaccountants

Many of my clients hop on their clarity call to discuss whether a CPA, CMA, or another credential might be right for them. 

They ask, "Do you think it's worth it for me?"

I relate to this question.

I know when I got my CMA, I wasn't exactly sure how it would benefit my career directly. 

Many discouraged me from doing it because it didn't have a direct ROI.

But I'm really glad I did.

Opportunities pop up that I didn't know existed.

I've never regretted the time spent on either.

What about you? Did you go into the CPA or other credential knowing what specific benefit would be (promotion, bonus), or did you take the leap of faith?

Are you glad you did?

#cpaexam

AP (Advanced Placement) Business with Personal Finance course soft-launches this year...

Do I wish there was a little more "accounting" integrated... yes, yes I do.

But, I'm happy that it's starting to get rolled out!

Anyone hearing more about it? Any schools participating in the inaugural class?

I've forever dreamed of an AP Accounting class. I really think many CPAs can trace their origin back to being exposed to accounting in high school, not college.

When did you first decide to be an accountant?

apcentral.collegeboard.org

About AP Business with Personal Finance

Happy score release! Always an emotional few days.

Remember that you are so much more than the score.

It's OK to take a step back from social media when you see all of the "I PASSED the CPA EXAM" announcements, and you're not quite there yet.

If you could only see my DMs. You're not getting the full story, I promise.

If you're on my waitlist, check your email. I have a few spots open! I've sent out invites to several of you!

#CPAExam

One of the best things you can do if you're a CPA candidate or "CPA curious" is to get information directly from the CPA Exam team (aka the people who develop the CPA Exam and write the questions!!)

Also, be sure to follow the AICPAstudent page to get information directly from the source. I'm always shocked by how viral "how to prepare" videos from just normal people are on TikTok and Insta, and how underutilized these types of events are!!

The other great resource is the Next Stop CPA podcast by the AICPA (teaser: be sure to subscribe because you may recognize someone's voice very soon...)

Sure, Reddit has its role, but please get some quality info from people who know... :)

Curious about becoming a CPA? Join our free webinar to hear directly from CPA Exam expert Joe Maslott. Joe will share tips, insights, and resources to take you from your campus to an exciting career in accounting. 

Register now: https://bit.ly/4c0fArb

I went to an artist talk at a local college this week.

It really helped give me the perspective I needed.

I have always considered myself part accountant, part artist. Right-brained and left-brained, both sides require me to nurture them regularly. 

When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. 

My current hobbies still include pottery wheel and dancing. 

That said, when I was 19, I just decided not to spend the money on credit hours to learn it in college.

I will say, it's much cheaper later in life.

Back to this artist chat.

What was really refreshing was hearing from someone who has spent their life in the arts...

You can see the evolution of her work throughout her career. 

And the realization that you don't always know exactly what you're building towards while you're experimenting.

It's very freeing.

I am much more analytical and plan-oriented...

As most accountants are...

The problem is, I am hard on myself because I don't have the perfect business plan.

I don't have every revenue stream mapped out and SMART goals for each quarter hammered out.

But maybe that's ok. More agile for the season of my life that I'm in. Fewer rigid expectations.

More time to be the parent I want to be.

I'm doing something my own way, which not many have done before.

When you look at the artist communities, you realize that sometimes bettering yourself and your craft is the more important piece.

Years of work honing your craft lead to success, even without the perfect plan.

As you're preparing for the next career or personal advancement, just trust the process.

That path doesn't need to be linear to be meaningful for your life. 

Plus, your work can really inspire others at some point, as this artist did for me. 

And I hope my art/business inspires you in some way, too. 

Finally, as I remind myself today, even though it's cliché...

It's ok to go the path less traveled. :)

#accountingandaccountants

Out: Human "in the loop."
In: Human "in the LEAD"

How are you taking the lead when it comes to adopting technology and staying involved when RPA/rules-based automation evolves into agentic AI (autonomous/minimal supervision)?

This is a key question we MUST be asking in 2026 and beyond.

Thanks Lexi Weber, CPA for the great AICPA #RISE2040 presentation today and introducing me to this concept! 

#accountingandaccountants

You are what you eat... what about what you consume in other areas?

I've been horrible about this lately. 

Too much news. Distracting me from things that I DO have control over.

It's time to put up some boundaries on what I allow into subconscious thought.

But it's been tough.

Like a black cloud that I can't seem to shake. 

Very negatively impacting my creativity.

Is anyone else feeling that too?

I can't be the only one.

I'm interested to see how the Exam evolves when such a disparity exists on skills. 

A few thoughts:

- We still want people to be learning BAR topics.
- Tax Compliance is arguably vulnerable to machine assistance.
- What happens if most of our newest CPA candidates are taking the "easy" path?
- Or, are most genuinely wanting to specialize in Tax?

Do you think this is a structural problem we are building into the profession?

Will the TCP test get harder as a result?

Helping Aspiring CPAs Navigate the CPA Exam with Confidence | CPA Exam Coach | PwC People Team - Manager

The discipline disparity continues, in a HUGE way!

TCP had almost 7× the volume of BAR.

ISC had more than 3× the volume.

And this pattern has been consistent since the disciplines launched.

Which raises a few important questions.

Is BAR actually harder?

Or are candidates simply avoiding it because of the perception that it’s harder?

Because something important happens when a section gets labeled “the hardest.”

Candidates begin optimizing around fear, not strategy.

They delay it.
They push it to the end.
They pick something that feels safer.

But when thousands of candidates all make that same decision, the data starts to look like this.

Very few people taking BAR.

A massive concentration in TCP and ISC.

Over time, that has real implications.

If the profession wants balanced discipline adoption, perception matters just as much as difficulty.

Because candidates are rational.

They’re working full-time.

They’re going to choose the path they believe gives them the best chance to pass.

It’s hard to look past those pass rates…

Hurry! Time is running out for you to apply for the AICPA® Foundation Legacy Scholarships. 

If you don’t try, you lose your chance to save up to $10K on college fees — send in your application before March 15: https://bit.ly/3Ha0izo

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