A Southwestern College professor is being honored by “CPA Practice Advisor” as a recipient of the magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 Award. Patrick Lee, assistant professor of accounting and Enactus advisor at SC, was selected one of 40 “young leaders who are helping to positively shape the accounting and tax profession.”

“It is an honor to be recognized as an accounting professional by accounting industry peers nationwide and internationally,” Lee says. “This honor not only affirms my values as a certified public accountant, but affirms my values of being an educator in a profession that is helping shape the next generation of CPAs right here at Southwestern College.” 

Lee also was invited to attend the Thought Leader Symposium Oct. 16 - 18 in Indianapolis, where leaders in the accounting profession will come together to tackle today’s challenges in the profession. 

“When I was a practicing CPA, I read the ‘CPA Practice Advisor’ every month,” Lee adds. “It is a publication respected in the industry as a source of the latest and greatest in technology, methods, and tools in the accounting field. It is a bit shocking to think that six years later I would be included in such a prestigious list of young accountants. Our industry is not only recognizing accounting professionals who do this work every single day, but the educators who are as much a part of the industry as the accounting professionals themselves.”  

“CPA Practice Advisor” calls this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees “the best and brightest talent in the accounting profession. They are all active in the professional community, as well as in their local communities, where many are small business owners and employers. Many are also frequently seen at industry trade shows, such as AICPA PS/Tech and state CPA society events, giving seminars or participating in round table discussions on evolving practices and technologies.”

Of the 40 individuals recognized, three educators are on the list representing the University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Hartford (Barney School of Business), and Southwestern College.

“These young professionals are blazing a trail for their peers to follow, and are dedicated to enhancing firm management and client service through innovative technologies and workflow practices,” said editor-in-chief Gail Perry. "They are leading the way in firms of all sizes as the profession evolves to meet changing demands. We are proud to honor these professionals as 2016 '40 Under 40' Honorees.”