Ambassador for the Profession - A Life's Work
Heidi Frei
There is only one CPA who has led the
Hubiak got involved with the ASCPA early in her career. “When Jim Kunkel, the managing partner of Coopers & Lybrand, originally challenged me to become chair of the CPA Society board in five years, I had no idea what the association did,” Hubiak said. “Getting involved right in the beginning of my career helped me learn how much of an impact a professional association can have on an individual’s career.”
Mentoring is an important part of Hubiak’s career. “A current member of the Society, Dennis Niven, encouraged me to consider accounting and become a CPA,” says Hubiak. “I met Dennis just after I graduated from high school. I was planning on majoring in general business in college, but Dennis talked with me about the great opportunities available to CPAs and convinced me to follow that path.” Hubiak found that the profession has delivered on those promises. “While in college, I decided I wanted to work overseas. The CPA profession has allowed me to work in Europe and
While in college, Hubiak was mentored by one of her accounting professors, Dr. William Huizingh. “Bill encouraged me as a student and supported me through my time at ASU,” Hubiak said. “He has continued to mentor and be a role model for me to this day. He has taught me a tremendous amount about running a nonprofit organization, and I frequently go to him for advice on how to handle difficult situations.”
Over the past seven years, Hubiak has made a tremendous impact on the ASCPA as president and CEO. “She has enhanced the professionalism of the ASCPA,” says Dr. Rufus Glasper. “She believes in inclusiveness, engagement and respect for other people. She has great passion for the profession and is focused on the success of the organization.”
“Cindie has been instrumental in establishing relationships throughout the state and the nation that are beneficial to every CPA in the state of
Hubiak’s leadership style is admired by all. “I describe Cindie’s leadership style as a Jim Collins’s level-five leader,” Glasper said. “She has a compelling modesty. When you talk with her, she doesn’t talk about herself; she talks about the staff, board, volunteers and members.”
Hubiak’s favorite part of her role is meeting and helping members. “I enjoy getting to work with the volunteers and the staff at the CPA Society,” Hubiak said. “Every day I get to work with wonderful CPAs and team members to help our members become more successful. When I was volunteering I had the chance to impact the profession periodically but for the last seven years it’s on a daily basis that I can make a positive impact and contribution to the accounting profession.”
“The feedback we get from members is the most important thing that I receive,” Hubiak said. “This feedback tells us how we can do better and lets us know what we do well. One of my favorite moments is when a member lets me know how one of our team members has supported them. On almost a weekly basis one of our team members receives a compliment from a member. One of the most memorable comments I had from a member was when I introduced him to each of our team members. He was shocked at the high caliber of dedicated individuals we had at the Society supporting CPAs. He learned that most of our team members are not CPAs, and he admired their passion for helping CPAs in so many ways.”
“Cindie is never too busy to listen and attempt to help a member with his or her problem whether that member is a sole practitioner, retired CPA, CFO of a Fortune 500 company or a Big Four partner,” Landy said. “Cindie ensures that every voice is heard. Under Cindie’s leadership as president & CEO, and with her passion for the profession, the Society has truly become a membership-oriented organization that is well respected not only in
The ASCPA is fortunate to have a CPA leading its association. “We are so lucky to have Cindie at the ASCPA helm,” Peggy Ullmann, CPA said. “As an association CEO she sets the standard among a very talented peer group. Cindie effectively manages a top-notch association of our members, bringing her unique experience as a CPA who has worked in both public practice and private industry. Not only is she a super-effective CEO, she is one of us.”
Glasper echoes this statement, “She is one of us – a fellow CPA. She can sympathize, empathize and relate to the issues.”
Cindie’s service to the profession does not end there. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee for CPAs in Business and Industry for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). She is a board member of CPA/SEA, an organization for all CPA state society CEOs. She is a member of
Hubiak also believes in a balanced life. “I have biked, hiked and snorkeled with Cindie over the years,” Ullmann says. “I can personally attest to the fact that she blesses her family and friends by sharing with them her conscientious and thoughtful life perspective.”
Hubiak also shares, “Becoming a CPA and becoming president of the Society helped me meet my husband, Steve.” Not only do Steve and Cindie have a wonderful personal relationship, they also team up to teach leadership programs.
Heidi Frei is director of marketing and Membership for the ASCPA.
Call-out:
The staff at the ASCPA is very excited that our leader, Cindie Hubiak, is honored as life member. On a daily basis we see the impact that she makes on the lives of CPAs. She is always on top of issues that affect our members and helps members with the challenges they face. As a staff, we appreciate Cindie for so many things. She is always open to new ideas and makes sure we have the tools and education we need to help serve our members. She truly cares about all of us. She always wants to hear about the exciting things going on in our lives and is there to support us when we go through difficult times in life. Cindie encourages us to be life-long learners and to reach for our dreams. She has created a wonderful culture at the ASCPA that is unmatched. I personally feel so blessed to work with Cindie and grow professionally through her support and mentoring over the past seven years. Congratulations Cindie – we are all so proud of your achievements!
Heidi Frei
Director of Marketing & Membership
AZ CPA – May 2007
