FOCUS 


 


“My involvement in the OSCPA early in my


career was vital to building my confidence and my leadership skills, which helped me get accepted into the AICPA Leadership Academy.”


– Austin Foust, CPA T


wo Oklahoma CPAs were selected as part of a class of 38 to participate in a


nationwide event that grooms young professionals for leadership success. Austin Foust, CPA, from


Tulsa, and Jana Walker, CPA, from Freedom, were two of the 38 specialists honored by the AICPA as members of the Leadership Academy’s 11th class. Foust and Walker were selected based on their skills and experience for the four- day Leadership Academy program, October 6-10 in Durham, North Carolina. Foust, an OSCPA member for four years, is a tax manager with Hogan Taylor LLP. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with degrees in finance and accounting. He serves on the OSCPA’s Young Accounting Professionals Committee and is a 2018 OSCPA Trailblazer. Walker is a sole practitioner and full-time accounting instructor seeking her Ph.D. at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She has been an OSCPA member for three years, has served on its Young Accounting Professionals and Governmental Accounting & Auditing Committees and currently serves on the OSCPA’s Liaison with Educational Institutions Committee. Walker is a 2016 OSCPA Trailblazer. While the application process itself was


straightforward and user-friendly, both Foust and Walker agreed the most difficult part was taking that first step.


“Te selection process is very competitive so


that inherently applies pressure to feel like all pieces of your application are perfected before submission,” Foust said. “Finally deciding to hit that submit button might have been the most difficult part.”


18 CPAFOCUS September/October 2019


AUSTIN FOUST, CPA


JANA WALKER, CPA Walker agreed and encouraged others who may


be interested in the opportunity to make the leap. “I almost did not even apply because I thought it was a long shot to get accepted,” Walker said. “Anytime you have an opportunity to be in the same room as some of the leading influencers in your industry willing to share valuable knowledge, take it!” So how did both up-and-coming leaders


prepare for this next adventure, and how did the OSCPA play a role? “My involvement in the OSCPA early in my


career was vital to building my confidence and my leadership skills, which helped me get accepted into the AICPA Leadership Academy,” Foust said. “Being a part of the OSCPA has also taught me the CPA profession is a tight-knit community full of great people, and I’m excited for the chance to broaden the reach of my network.” For Walker, the OSCPA offered her a chance


to develop her confidence and involvement in the profession. “Serving on several committees for the


OSCPA, I have never once been discouraged to participate, give input or help in whatever capacity I can,” she said. “I think the OSCPA does a great job of giving young members confidence in their abilities to make an impact.”


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