The American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) has announced the retirement of its vice-president for small firm interests, Carl Peterson.

Scheduled to retire on 30 June 2025, Peterson joined the AICPA in 2014.

 He has been a key figure in strengthening ties with groups focused on small firm issues, AICPA said.

Carl Peterson has acted as a liaison with state CPA societies and facilitated small firm roundtables across the US, central to his responsibilities.

He has also held quarterly discussions with over 60 firms and provided them with direct perspectives on the challenges faced the sector, the body said.

Peterson was also a technical advisor to the International Federation of Accountants Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group, contributing to discussions on practice issues and World Bank initiatives.

He advocated for small firm CPAs by testifying on key state-level legislation.

Before joining the AICPA, Peterson was the managing partner of a small firm in Minnesota.

He also held leadership roles with the Minnesota Society of CPAs, serving as chairman of its board of directors and its political action and legislative affairs committees.

The AICPA said it will recruit a new vice-president of small firm interests to continue Peterson’s work.

AICPA public accounting CEO Susan Coffey said: “Carl’s ability to connect with small firm practitioners, understand their realities, and elevate their perspectives made him an invaluable advisor to me.

“He made sure our strategies and policies never lost sight of what matters most to our members operating smaller firms. Carl’s personal investment in building relationships — often through Sunday night phone calls or midweek check-ins — demonstrated his unmatched dedication to the profession.”

In October 2024, the board of directors of the AICPA appointed Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, as its next CEO.