Building a Lasting Legacy: The Cycle of Trust and Belonging in Our Profession

by Joel Williams, CPA

It was a quiet moment during a campus event when a young man approached me. He was a first-generation college student who had never considered accounting as a viable path. After
discussing possible career paths during a subsequent meeting over dinner, he realized for the first time that accounting could be his career. He could belong here. As he shared his hope and
excitement, I felt a surge of pride. This young man, with so many avenues open to him, had chosen the CPA path.

I love our profession for many reasons, one being that we welcome talent from all walks of life. The doors are open, not just to those with connections or privilege, but to anyone with the curiosity, drive, and integrity that accounting demands.

This man’s story is not unique. It echoes the journeys of countless future CPAs across Washington. These individuals might never have pictured themselves in this field until someone showed them what was possible. Each time a student steps into our world, it challenges us to reflect on what we are handing forward. Our legacy as CPAs is not just about technical excellence or financial stewardship; it’s about ensuring that the profession is accessible, welcoming, and meaningful to the next generation.

That legacy rests on a foundation of trust. Trust is the very heart of our profession and the cornerstone that makes CPAs so essential to the nation’s economic vitality. From global
enterprises to family-owned shops, businesses rely on us to act with integrity, to provide clarity in complex situations, and to serve their interests with undivided honesty. But trust is not
a given. It must be earned. It’s built over time, through ethics, diligence, and the small, everyday decisions that define our work. Whether advising a startup or auditing a nonprofit, we know that every interaction is an opportunity to reinforce the trust that underpins our community’s wellbeing.

Equally important is our responsibility to each other. Mentorship has always been a hallmark of the CPA profession, a quiet but powerful force that shapes careers and, by extension, the quality
of service we provide. When we make it a priority to support emerging professionals, especially those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in accounting, we’re doing more
than just offering guidance. We’re expanding the diversity of our pipeline, ensuring that our profession reflects the full spectrum of communities we serve. CPAs lift one another up,
creating a culture where shared values like ethics, excellence, and inclusion are lived out every day.

The twin responsibilities of our profession, trust and mentorship, form a virtuous cycle. When we invest in mentoring, especially in those who are underrepresented in our profession, we strengthen the public’s trust in the profession. In turn, the trust we earn from the public obligates us to continue opening doors and supporting those who follow. This cycle sustains us, generation after generation, and ensures that our legacy will endure.

As my term as WSCPA Board Chair comes to a close in June 2026, I find myself reflecting on the privilege it has been to represent CPAs across Washington, in public practice, industry,
government, nonprofit, and education. I know I am not alone in these reflections. Many of our colleagues who are nearing retirement are also considering the mark they will leave. What
we pass on is not just a profession, but a promise: to serve, to mentor, and to uphold the trust that is our highest calling.

As my term as board chair comes to a close, I find myself filled not with nostalgia, but with hope. Hope for the students who are just discovering this profession and seeing themselves in it for the
first time. Hope for the dedicated CPAs across Washington who continue to lift each other up through mentorship, generosity, and a commitment to expanding the pipeline. And hope for
the public we serve, knowing that every act of integrity, every decision grounded in ethics, and every effort to welcome new voices into our ranks strengthens the trust that defines us. Our
legacy will not be measured by the challenges we faced, but by the profession we chose to build together — one that is more inclusive, more resilient, and more prepared for the future than
ever before. And for the privilege of contributing to that shared future, I am deeply grateful.

photo: ©iStock/tumsasedgars