AINA Awards 2026 – AI-Native Accounting

NOMINATIONS Closed

AINA Awards 2026

The AINA Awards recognize firms and practitioners who are making measurable, responsible progress with AI. Nominations are now closed!

Join us at Scaling New Heights where we will recognize all honorees.

Prizes for winners

Winners this year will be honored on the main stage at the Scaling New Heights Conference in Orlando on June 15, 2026.

prizes including:

Conference pass and T&E to the Scaling New Heights Conference
A featured guest episode on the AI Native Accounting Podcast
Official AI Native Accounting Award designation and digital badges
A closed door strategy session focused on scaling their next AI strategies

Award Categories

Firm Award

AI Implementation

This award recognizes firms that have moved beyond experimentation to materially transform how work gets done using AI.

Firm Award

AI Strategy & Responsible Leadership

This award recognizes firms that have thoughtfully designed and executed AI strategies, and began building frameworks for responsible adoption of AI systems.

Individual Award

AI Workflow Innovation

This award recognizes an individual who designed or championed a practical AI-enabled workflow that materially improved how work gets done.

Individual Award

AI Education & Training Excellence

This award recognizes an individual leading meaningful education, training, or enablement efforts that prepare professionals to work confidently with AI.

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council exists to protect the integrity and credibility of the Foundation’s work, particularly the Awards program and Scholarship distributions. Council members are selected for their experience, judgment, and contribution to the profession.

Tom Hood, EVP

AICPA

Tom Hood, CPA, CITR CGMA is currently the EVP Business Growth & Engagement for AICPA-CIMA and the Business Learning Institute, the largest association of certified professional accountants in the world, representing over 690,000 CPAs, CGMAs, and students. He was named in the top ten most influential people in accounting by Accounting Today Magazine for the twelfth year. In 2012 LinkedIn recruited Tom as one of their Top 100 Influencers and he now has a following of over 700,000. He is a member of Forbes Finance Council and was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame. He is the former CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs and former CFO of a highway construction company. He has a Master's in Finance from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Loyola University of Maryland. He lives in Baltimore with his wife Sharon.

Arianna Campbell, COO

Boomer Consulting

Arianna Campbell is the Chief Operating Officer at Boomer Consulting, Inc., where she helps CPA firms lead transformative change by aligning people, process, and leadership. A nationally recognized speaker and one of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People, she facilitates peer communities that shape the future of firm leadership and operations. When she's not guiding change, Arianna is beach-hopping or volunteering with local nonprofits.

Barry Brown, Founder

EBITDA Advisors

Barry Brown is a seasoned technology executive and CPA with more than 30 years of experience in public accounting. He has served over 20 years as a CIO and 8 years as a COO, leading strategic technology initiatives, contract negotiations, and operational transformation. Barry specializes in helping firms navigate the evolving technology landscape, including A1 and automation, to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize profitability through thoughtful, forward-looking leadership.

Amy Vetter, CEO

The B3 Method Institute

CPA, keynote speaker, technologist & board member, Amy has a vast background in technology that includes leading multiple CAS practices, being a corporate executive at Intuit, Sage Intacct and Xero, to now advising and consulting with FinTech companies and CAS practices on GTM and business strategy. Amy has received numerous recognitions including Top 100 Most Influential in Accounting and Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting multiple years.

Joe Woodard, CEO

Woodard Consulting Group

Joe Woodard is a respected author, consultant, business coach, and national speaker. He has trained well over 125,000 accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors on practice development, technology trends, and modern firm strategy.

Ellen Choi, CEO

Edgefield Group

Ellen is the CEO and Founder of Edgefield Group, a consultancy helping CPA firms drive growth and efficiency through A1 enablement. A Stanford alumna and Harvard MBA, she began her career at Google, where outdated tools inspired her focus on building modern technology for accountants. She co-founded Aiwyn, a technology company serving 800+ firms by automating practice management and tax workflows. Ellen was named Accounting Today's 2025 Top 100 Most Influential and a 2025 Most Powerful Woman in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor, and serves on the AICPA ENGAGE TECH+ Planning Committee and CPA.com Digital CPA Advisory Committee.

Randy Johnston, Founder

Network Management Group, Inc.

Randy is recognized by Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting—his twenty-first consecutive year on that list. Randy also writes a monthly column and hosts a weekly podcast for The CPA Practice Advisor, contributes to the Journal of Accountancy, and has published numerous books.