ATLANTA — January 16, 2026 — Aprio, the 24th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., today announces that CEO Richard Kopelman and Lexy Kessler, Partner and Chair of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, have been named to Accounting Today’s 2025 Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. The list, recognized as one of the profession’s most coveted annual rankings, includes leaders who are shaping the future of accounting, from driving advancements in AI and new advisory models to strengthening the talent pipeline and reinforcing the profession’s longstanding commitment to integrity and accountability.
Since becoming CEO in 2013, Richard has led Aprio through a widely-recognized transformation—scaling the firm to approximately $800 million in pro forma revenue, nearly 3,000 team members, over 40 offices globally, and completing more than 40 strategic acquisitions. Richard champions a people-first culture focused on developing leaders, expanding career paths, and creating an environment where teams are trusted to do meaningful work at the highest level. Under his leadership, Aprio has become a multidisciplinary advisory platform that brings together tax, audit, accounting, advisory, wealth management, and legal services, serving as a single destination for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Lexy, Chair of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, is a widely respected leader within Aprio and across the accounting profession. A former leader of the firm’s Government Contracting industry team and a current Partner, she has advised complex organizations through regulatory change and growth while serving as Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and leader of Aprio’s Rockville, Md., office. In her current role as Chair, she helps guide profession-wide priorities around standards, collaboration, and modernization, while remaining deeply committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of CPAs.
To read the full list and additional commentary from Richard and Lexy, visit accountingtoday.com.
About Aprio
Aprio is redefining what it means to be a global advisory and accounting firm. We help businesses and individuals Account for Anything™ — delivering clarity and confidence in a world full of unknowns. Aprio is the brand name under which Aprio, LLP, and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC deliver professional services to clients worldwide. Aprio Advisory Group, LLC provides advisory, tax, legal, wealth, and talent solutions to help build value, drive growth, manage risk, and protect wealth, while Aprio, LLP delivers audit and attest services with uncompromising quality and integrity. With more than 2,800 team members serving clients in 50+ countries and $5.5B in assets under management, Aprio is consistently recognized as a Top Workplace, celebrated for transformative growth on the Inc. 5000 and Inc. Power Partners lists, and led by Richard Kopelman, named to Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. Learn more at Aprio.com.
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Aprio Media Contact
Leslie Weiner, Public Relations Manager
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