The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) recently presented William (Bill) K. Flowers, CPA, MBA, with its prestigious 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor ICPAS bestows on members who demonstrate distinguished service to both ICPAS and the CPA profession.
Flowers was first introduced to the accounting profession in 1969 and has committed much of his life and career to connecting his passions for music and nonprofit organizations that support youth, the arts, and the homeless with his accounting and finance skills. Flowers is currently in his 10th year as the chief financial officer at Cedille Records, a Chicago-based nonprofit record label presenting the finest classical music performers and composers in and from Chicago. He has also assisted the Jazz Institute of Chicago on behalf of CPAs for the Public Interest and served the nonprofit organization, Chicago a cappella, in several roles over the past 20 years.
Flowers, a Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana graduate, previously held full-time roles with St. Scholastica Academy, The Inner Voice Inc., Nonprofit Financial Center, Association House of Chicago, and United Airlines. His volunteerism is extensive, including more than 20 volunteer roles with ICPAS. Notably, he was a vice president on the ICPAS Board of Directors and is a founding member of ICPAS’ charitable partner, the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois, of which he is also a former board member.
“It is my honor to present Bill with our 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Todd Shapiro, ICPAS president and CEO. “Bill has had a tremendous impact on the CPA profession.”
During his acceptance speech at ICPAS’ Leadership Recognition and Awards Dinner on June 9, 2022, Flowers thanked his family, friends, and current and past staff and ICPAS colleagues and said, “You have always been there for me and have allowed me to combine my appreciation of accounting with my interest in not-for-profit service. I cannot fully express my appreciation and honor in being selected for the Illinois CPA Society’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.”
