2022 Startup Accelerator Broadens Focus to Accounting, ESG and Regulatory Tech

Distributed by Business Wire
8th September 2021

Companies Must Apply for Program by Nov. 30, 2021

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CPA.com and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, are seeking applicants for their 2022 startup accelerator program, which specializes in accounting and regulatory technology. This year’s program is also expanding to early-stage companies devoted to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

The accelerator is open to pre-Series A startups worldwide. Successful applicants get a deep dive into the accounting profession and access to business intelligence from senior leaders of both the Association and CPA.com, as well as the program’s advisory board members who have diverse backgrounds and complementary skills in entrepreneurship, startup tech companies, accounting and finance. In addition, companies receive $25,000 in seed funding.

“Being accepted into the accelerator program was a shot in the arm when we needed it most. It validated our technology and business model,” said Jim Dowd, founder of North Capital Investment Technology, Inc., a previous graduate of the program.

Applications for the 2022 accelerator close on Nov. 30, 2021, and selections will be announced in January. Companies that are chosen will be featured next summer at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2022, one of the leading accounting and finance conferences in the world, and later in the year at the AICPA/CPA.com Digital CPA Conference, which specializes in accounting technology and practice development topics.

“Innovation across the accounting and finance profession has never been greater or more important,” said Erik Asgeirsson, president and CEO of CPA.com. “The startup accelerator keeps us deeply connected to the companies driving this transformation and to collaborate in a strategic and meaningful way for the benefit of the profession.”

To be eligible, companies should be:

At seed or pre-Series A stage (with some exceptions)
Have a working product or service
Focused on fintech, regulatory technology or ESG solutions

“I’m a seasoned entrepreneur but what I’ve realized is we’re always learning,” said Sherwood Neiss, co-founder and principal of Guardd Inc., another graduate of the program. “One of the coolest things about the accelerator is it connected me to people and influencers who’ve helped me shape the way I’m thinking about growing this company in a new way that’s very different from the way I’ve started companies in the past.”

For questions about the program, please contact Kacee Johnson, senior director of strategy and innovation for CPA.com, at [email protected]. To apply, please visit the startup accelerator program page at cpa.com/accelerator.

About CPA.com

CPA.com brings innovative solutions to the accounting profession, either in partnership with leading providers or directly through its own development. The company has established itself as a thought leader on emerging technologies and as the trusted business advisor to practitioners in the United States, with a growing global focus.

Our company’s core mission is to drive the transformation of practice areas, advance the technology ecosystem for the profession, and lead technology research and innovation efforts for practitioners.

A subsidiary of the American Institute of CPAs, the company is also part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the world’s most influential organization representing the profession. For more information, visit CPA.com.

About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and AICPA & CIMA

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), representing AICPA & CIMA, advances the global accounting and finance profession through its work on behalf of 696,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students and engaged professionals in 192 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members and engaged professionals with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state and local governments. It also develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination and builds the pipeline of future talent for the public accounting profession.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is the world’s leading and largest professional body of management accountants. CIMA works closely with employers and sponsors leading-edge research, constantly updating its professional qualification and professional experience requirements to ensure it remains the employer’s choice when recruiting financially trained business leaders.