Worcester Business Journal

O U T S T A N D I N G W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S F O C U S I n 2011, Carla McCall became the co-managing partner of AAF- CPAs, the ninth largest certified public accounting firm in New England. By 2016, she had been named chairwoman of the Massachu- setts Society of CPAs, the state's premier professional association consisting of more than 12,000 accountants. McCall has always been an avid supporter of female leadership. She rec- ognizes the difficulty in balancing one's career with a family, but urges business- es to view women's issues as a critical component of the workplace. As founder of the Women's Oppor- tunity Network, McCall encourages her colleagues to discuss the numerous challenges faced by women in the work- place. Under McCall's co-leadership, the AAFCPAs has grown organically by 50 percent. e number of women in leadership positions at AAFCPAs has vaulted accordingly to 47 percent, up from 25 percent in 2011. In an industry facing disruption by artificial intelligence, McCall recognizes her own worth as well as her tremen- dous capacity for growth. She is a life- long student of the accounting trade and her love of learning is contagious. In 2018, McCall launched AAFCPAs' Innovation Lab, which recently ran a Changemaker Challenge to cultivate innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets among AAFCPAs' young profession- als. Team members are encouraged to question the status quo while developing creative solutions to everyday problems. McCall has received a number of accolades for year roles at AAFCPAs and in the industry, including the 2017 Forty Women over 40 to Watch list, the 2016 ATHENA Leadership Award, the Boston Business Journal's 2013 Women Up Leadership Award, the MSCPA's 2013 Women to Watch Leadership Award, and WBJ's 2005 40 Under Forty award. Additionally, McCall received the inaugural Harry C. Bentley Award for Alumni Achievement from Bentley University in 2017. Sue Gorman, Executive Director for Academic Affairs of MCPHS Univer- sity Worcester/Manchester, has known McCall for many years through their shared time at Bentley University. "When they made Carla, they broke the mold because there is nobody like her. She is smart, tenacious, driven and – along with these attributes – has a big heart. She is the kind of person who will always do the right thing when nobody is looking, and has built McCall grew her accounting firm 50% an incredible, successful organization whereby she can, and does, make a huge impact on Central Massachusetts area businesses and organizations," Gorman said. McCall does more than just recruit women to the accounting field, she retains them. She encourages young professional women to ask for what they want. She recognizes the value in building a steadfast network and serves as a mentor for others in her field. McCall serves on the the governing council for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and as current treasurer and board member of SheGives Boston. She is past chair- woman of the board for the MSCPAs and a former board member for e Jordan Matthew Porco Memorial Foundation in Hartford, Conn. BY SARAH CONNELL Special to the Worcester Business Journal Other company locations: Boston, Wellesley Residence: Hopedale College: Bentley University What has been the key to your success? Grit. To get to a position of leadership is hard work. Of course, the combination of my strong interpersonal skills and my love of strategy helped, but it was not always easy, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry. I have always led with authenticity. I did not try to be something I am not. Sometimes my style isn't for everyone because I am unapologetically direct, assertive, and decisive. I'm also more empathetic than some, and I always look for humor. I truly believe if you can make people laugh, they will feel more comfortable and see our exchanges as opportunities. If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be? I would push myself to confidently speak up when I disagreed with decisions affecting my career path. What is your primary motivation? I am motivated when I am helping others with creative thinking and strategy and then seeing them succeed. It doesn't hurt that I have always loved public accounting and what I do on a daily basis. If you enjoy your work it becomes a part of who you are--the passion for it really shines through. Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA Co-managing partner AAFCPAs, Westborough wbjournal.com | October 29, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 33 W 2018 W I N N E R

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