Two Grads Are Among Most Influential Accountants In US

BUFFALO, NY – Canisius University accounting alumni James C. Metzler ’72, CPA and Mark J. Koziel ’91, CPA, are among the top 10 most influential accountants in the U.S., according to Accounting Today. Metzler and Koziel were nominated for the recognition by their industry peers.

Jim Metzler, of Amherst, NY, is a 1972 alumnus of the Canisius University accounting program and vice president of small firm interests for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In this role, he leads AICPA initiatives aimed at serving the needs of practitioners, including the activities of the Private Companies Practice Section, as well as the Institute’s specialized communities and accreditations. He also serves as an advocate for small firms on standard setting, legislative matters and practice issues, and as liaison between the AICPA and its member firms. 

Metzler’s efforts on behalf of small firms and his activities with the AICPA have gained him recognition throughout the profession. He is frequently named among The Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, a national listing compiled annually by the editors of Accounting Today. 

Metzler received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New York District Office 2007 Financial Services Champion of the Year Award. He was cited for his significant contributions in helping small businesses obtain the accounting services they need to succeed. 

Prior to joining the AICPA, Metzler was a co-founder of Convergence Coaching LLC, a national consulting firm dedicated to helping CPAs prosper by assisting them in the development and implementation of success plans. Metzler is the author of “How to Build a Million Dollar Technology Consulting Practice” and numerous articles on practice management issues. He is also a frequent lecturer for the AICPA, State Societies and global CPA professional associations. 

Mark Koziel, of Wake Forest, NC, is a 1991 alumnus of the Canisius University accounting program and vice president of firm services and global alliances at the AICPA. He oversees the development, ongoing improvement and delivery of services to members in Private Companies Practice Section/Firm Practice Management, as well as international relations with various CPA-related groups. He speaks on CPA issues around the country and is frequently named among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today. Koziel is the younger person on this year’s Top 10 list.

Prior to joining the AICPA, Koziel served as director of media planning for a political consulting firm in East Aurora, NY serving presidential, senate, congressional and governor races around the country. He also served as client director for all national public affairs clients. 

Koziel finished his public accounting career as director of Placement and Human Resource Consulting Divisions at a large local accounting firm in Buffalo, NY. His experiences with recruiting for firm employees and assisting clients in filling key accounting positions served as the springboard to the development of the Placement Services Division. Koziel’s recruiting techniques used for the firm served as the system to be used for placement services. 

An active member of the Buffalo Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs, Koziel was one of the founding members of the Young CPAs Committee and served as chair for two years before he was appointed to the Buffalo Chapter Board. He served as president for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, one of the youngest president’s in the history of the Buffalo Chapter. 

Accounting Today is a leading provider of business news for the tax and accounting communities, offering breaking news, in-depth features, editorial analysis, and several other resources and services. 

Canisius University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.