Capitalizing on proven leadership skills, Scott Wiley, OSCPA’s new president and CEO, plans to leverage the Society’s solid reputation, advocacy wins and underlying strengths to continue building the organization’s record of excellence and innovation.
Integrity, trust, transparency and honesty … the values that characterize the CPA profession are the same values upon which Scott Wiley has built his career.
His first priority – listening.
“I’m eager to listen to our people, and then lead,” Wiley said.
“As I get started in my role, I intend to be visible across the state, meeting with our members, those who should be our members, and those who influence our profession,” he said. “To take OSCPA to the next level, I need to hear from our members about how we can serve them better. What are the unique challenges they're facing in what's an increasingly complex global business environment? How do we both seek and create opportunities while embracing challenges?”
Wiley plans to use that feedback to help take OSCPA to the next level of innovation.
“Loyalty is a very important quality for a membership organization like OSCPA to have from its members, and particularly its key volunteers,” he said. “When I think about loyalty, it really comes down to value, and whether we are creating it.”
One major value for many members has been the popular Professional Issues Updates. When asked whether the program will continue, Wiley responded: “Absolutely. I am looking forward to meeting our members and they should expect to see some new components to the Professional Issues Updates this spring.”
CPA: a noble call
One of OSCPA’s core values is protecting and promoting the profession, along with advocating on behalf of the membership.
“CPAs serve the public interest; that's a noble calling,” Wiley said. “We help advance the state. We're out in front in tough times.”
Wiley plans to leverage those strengths further, and to talk about them with a level of pride.
“We've got a bold advocacy agenda in front of us,” he said, “and the way for us to keep it at the forefront is to talk with candor about how we plan to strengthen Ohio.”
One of the top priorities in those efforts is municipal income tax reform. OSCPA is helping lead a coalition of organizations working for meaningful change to help Ohio’s economy flourish.
“When you look at OSCPA’s advocacy track record, I don't think anyone can question the value that OSCPA and CPAs across the state bring to building a stronger Ohio,” Wiley said. “I'm excited to continue delivering that message.”
Spirit of innovation
OSCPA’s innovative spirit and appetite for taking risks were some of the factors Wiley said attracted him to the organization. He values innovation, and it’s something he plans for the organization to continue being a leader in.
“It's an interesting time for membership organizations,” he said. “How do we adjust our business models to make sure that we're responsive to a growing and a diverse membership population? People are consuming information and content in very different ways, both online and through mobile technology, in ways we're still figuring out. And that's an area where I'm very excited to continue this trend.”
Expect OSCPA’s new video studio to figure prominently in the organization’s efforts to provide resources accessible to members in a variety of formats.
Leader among leaders
A rising star in the association community, Wiley has spent 10 years at the helm of international fraternity Delta Sigma Phi. He is a Certified Association Executive and Fellow with the American Society of Association Executives. The Indiana Society of Association Executives named him 2012’s Executive of the Year.
“What excites me most about representing the CPA profession is the opportunity out there right now,” Wiley said. “As we look at the landscape affecting the CPA profession, there are a number of issues that OSCPA is uniquely positioned to affect. Two that are on my radar right now is the coalition efforts we are leading to reform the municipal income taxes and how we attract a new generation of talent to the profession. Without a doubt, these are big issues that present big challenges and even bigger opportunities that I am looking forward to.”
He plans to harness leadership opportunities for members in addressing these opportunities.
“Enhancing leadership development opportunities for all of our members, particularly our younger professionals, is of the utmost importance, and it's an area I’ll give focus to early on,” Wiley said. “CPAs are positioned to help lead and affect change in the organizations they're involved with. Therefore, it’s crucial that OSCPA helps develop leadership skills in members and builds the pipeline for the future of OSCPA volunteerism. It's an area I am passionate about, an area where I think we've led in the past, and where we will continue to lead in the future.”
Learn more about Scott by reading, Scott Wiley: A personal look.