BUFFALO, NY – Canisius University alumnus Mark Koziel has been selected to lead the world’s largest accounting membership organization. A 1991 graduate of the institution’s accounting program, Koziel will serve as chief executive officer of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), which jointly operate as the AICPA.. He succeeds Bary Melancon, effective January 2025, following a global search.
“Mark’s appointment is a proud moment for Canisius University,” says Ian Redpath, chair of the accounting program. “His journey from a Canisius accounting student to leading the world’s premier accounting organization demonstrates the exceptional preparation and opportunities a Canisius education provides.”
A Depew, NY native who now resides in Nebo, NC, Koziel is currently president and CEO of Allinial Global, an association of independent accounting and advisory firms with $6 billion in collective revenue and 268 member firms, worldwide. He assumed the role in 2020 following 14 years with the AICPA, where he served in a number of roles including executive vice president for firm services.
“I am excited and honored to be appointed CEO of the world’s largest accounting membership body and look forward to playing a key role in leading the organization and the profession to new heights,” Koziel says. “The profession is well positioned to expand and continue to evolve the value it brings serving the public interest and addressing the challenges faced by economies, businesses and society. I cannot wait to start working closely with members, candidates, volunteers and staff to do just that and drive our great profession forward.”
Koziel began his accounting career at Lumsden McCormick in Buffalo and has consistently been ranked among the Top 10 Most Influential People in Accounting by “Accounting Today.” Throughout his career, he has been a consistent advocate for accountants, speaking on CPA issues around the country while developing a strong global understanding of the accounting and finance profession.
“We are delighted to announce Mark as our new CEO for the association,” says Simon Bittlestone, president and chair of the AICPA Association. “Mark is a dynamic, values-led leader with extensive experience and knowledge in our profession. The board looks forward to working with him in leading out members, candidates and the profession into the 2030s and beyond.”
A loyal alumnus of Canisius University and its accounting program, Koziel serves on the institution’s Council on Accountancy and is a past recipient of the Dr. Joseph R. Coppola ’40 Award, which recognizes exceptional achievement of an accounting alumnus. Koziel’s exceptional achievements in the accounting profession earned him Canisius University’s Dr. Joseph R. Coppola ’40 Award in 2017. That same year, Koziel established the Mark J. Koziel ’91, CPA, CGMA, Accounting Scholarship at Canisius, which provides annual scholarship grants to deserving accounting students from Western New York who have completed their freshman year.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
