AICPA and CIMA appoint new VP of Global Advocacy

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA and CIMA, has announced the appointment of Michelle Mullen as vice president – Global Advocacy. Mullen will join the association in the coming months and in her new role, will focus on building strategic relationships and leading global public policy, as well as contribute to thought leadership, with a primary focus on activities outside of the United States. She will work on expanding the association’s advocacy programme and engagement with policymakers, regulators and government officials on key accounting and finance issues to serve the public interest on a global scale. The association said she will also work with her team to “positively influence” critical decision-making at local, national and international levels to “facilitate best practice and enhance the reputation of the profession”. Mullen joins the association from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS), where she served as the executive director of Standards. In this role, she oversaw regulatory activities, public practice, thought leadership, public policy advocacy, ethics and research. She has worked in accountancy policy and regulation for the last 23 years and is also a practicing lawyer. Mark Peterson, executive vice president – Advocacy at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, said: “As the world’s largest accounting body, it’s critical that we engage stakeholders on our work to serving the public interest and the role the profession plays in creating trust, opportunity and prosperity. “We are pleased to have Michelle join the Association in this senior role to continue that mission. She brings a wealth of experience in public policy, thought leadership and advocacy and is the perfect leader to support our work on driving economic recovery, skills development and promoting the value the profession brings to business and society.” Speaking on her new role, Mullen added: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Association to lead public policy and contribute to thought leadership to represent the unified voice of the American Institute of CPAs and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. This is an important time for business and the global profession. “The Association’s voice can help inspire trust and confidence, and will be critical to influence, inform and shape the policy landscape as economies emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and seek to deal with critical issues such as ESG, global trade, digital acceleration, data integrity and skills gaps.”