AICPA and CPA.com Startup Accelerator
Accelerate your startup and the accounting profession
Since 2017, our Startup Accelerator has been the bridge between bold ideas and professional-grade technology. We connect next-generation founders with a vetted panel of industry leaders to refine solutions that modernize the profession and drive firm growth.
Five Startups With an Eye to the Future
The Startup Accelerator launched in 2017 to advance innovation across the accounting profession. It supports early-stage companies building the next generation of tools for accounting and finance professionals, connecting founders with an advisory panel of firm leaders, practitioners and technology innovators who help them sharpen their solution and grow faster.
Driving Innovation in the Accounting Ecosystem
Our startup accelerator identifies and supports the next generation of accounting technology leaders. By connecting early-stage companies with our advisory panel and the AICPA and CPA.com network, we help drive innovation across the accounting profession.
Meet our 2026 Cohort
Discover this year’s competitive group of early-stage companies. These changemakers were selected for their potential to solve the most pressing needs of today’s practitioners through next-generation digital tools.
Meet our advisors
Our advisory panel consists of top-tier industry leaders and practitioners. They work directly with founders to share expert insight, helping each company sharpen its solution.
Program Requirements
What we're looking for
We look for solutions that solve a real problem for accounting and finance professionals and let them work at a higher level.
Accountech
Platforms that modernize firm operations, from automating accounting, tax and audit workflows to scalable CAS delivery, practice management and real-time performance analytics.
Regtech
Technologies that bring automation and transparency to compliance, including regulatory reporting, real-time risk detection, internal controls, audit readiness and fraud prevention.
Who's eligible
Seed or pre-Series A companies with a working AI product, not a prototype, and a clear value proposition for the accounting profession.
Timing for the 2027 cohort
Startup Accelerator Alumni
Since 2017, the Startup Accelerator has worked with innovative companies building the future of accounting and finance.
We're proud to have supported these founders as they moved their ideas forward.
Year
Category
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Meet our Advisory Panel
Our advisory panel brings together executives, thought leaders, practitioners, and technologists from across the profession, each contributing a unique perspective and a shared passion for helping founders build the technology shaping the future of accounting.
Erik Asgeirsson
President & Chief Executive Officer, CPA.com
Jim Bourke, CPA, CGMA, CITP, CFF
Managing Director of Advisory Services, Withum
Samantha Bowling, CPA, CFE, CGMA
Managing Partner, GWCPA
Michael Cerami
EVP, Strategic Alliances, Business Development & Communications
Ellen Choi
Founder and CEO, Edefield Group
Andy Cohen
Partner, World Innovation Lab
Brian Davis, CPA, CFE
CEO, One Stop CPA
Irfan Dossani, CPA, CFE, CGMA
Partner in Charge, Advisory Services, Whitley Penn
Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CISA
CEO, KET Solutions, LLC
Brian Fox, CPA
Managing Partner, Rockmont Partners
David Frigeri, CPA
Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, EisnerAmper
Vendela Hale
Lead Manager, Corporate Alliances, CPA.com
Tom Hood, CPA, CGMA, CITP
Executive Vice President, Business Growth and Engagement, AICPA
Randy Johnston
Executive Vice President, K2 Enterprises
Tricia Katebini, CPA
Partner, GRF CPAs & Advisors
Jonathan Kraftchick, CPA
Partner, Innovation, Cherry Bekaert
Brandon Lagarde, CPA
Partner, EisnerAmper
Toni Lee, CPA
Partner, Cain Watters & Associates
Elinor Litwack, CPA
Partner, Outsourced Accounting and Advisory Services, GRF CPAs & Advisors
Dan Luthi
Partner and COO, Ignite Spot Accounting Services
Michael Murray, CPA, CGMA
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Smith, CPA, CITP, MST
Partner, RSM US LLP
Vishal Thakkar
Senior Director, Alliance Management
Nicole Thousand, CPA
Founder & Managing Partner, Thousand CPA Services, LLC
2027 Cohort Applications Are Open Now
Ready to take your solution further with insight from leaders across the accounting ecosystem? Submit your application now
Frequently
Asked Questions
Have a question that isn't answered here?
Reach out to our team:
Vishal Thakkar, Senior Director, Alliance Management
Vendela Hale, Senior Manager, Alliances
Early-stage companies building accountech or regtech for accounting and finance professionals. If your product’s value depends on how firms actually work, you’re the right applicant.
A $25,000 grant. Access to the profession — members, firms, press and prospective customers. And subject-matter expertise, coaching and mentorship from an advisory panel of practitioners and firm leaders, aimed at sharpening your value proposition and helping you scale.
Yes. You need a functioning product or service, not a prototype or a deck.
Seed or pre-Series A, with some exceptions. If you’re outside that range but think you’re a fit, reach out before applying.
A small, competitive cohort each year. The 2026 cohort was five companies.
About six months from announcement. That includes coaching calls and working sessions from February through June, two days in person in New York in March, a practitioner webinar, a presentation slot at ENGAGE, and a showcase at Digital CPA.
- Vishal Thakkar, Senior Director, Alliance Management — vishal.thakkar@hq.cpa.com
- Vendela Hale, Senior Manager, Alliances — vendela.hale@hq.cpa.com