BUFFALO, NY – For the second time in three years, 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 East 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. 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 has frequently been named as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, a national listing compiled annually by the editors of Accounting Today. In 2005 through 2013, those chosen for the list were asked to compile their own “most influential” list and Metzler was one of 10 luminaries in the profession selected for this distinction.
Metzler was a recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New York District Office Financial Services Champion of the Year Award in 2007. He was cited for his significant contributions in helping small businesses obtain the accounting services they need to succeed. Most recently, Metzler was named to the Advisory Board Hall of Fame, the CPA Practice Advisory – Top 25 Thought Leaders, and received the Distinguished Alumni recognition from Canisius University.
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. He is also a former partner with Gaines Metzler Kriner & Company LLP in Buffalo and founder of GEMKO Information Group, a successful technology consulting organization.
Metzler is the author of How to Build a Million Dollar Technology Consulting Practice and past president of the Buffalo Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs.
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.
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 was also previously employed at Dopkins & Co and Lumsden & McCormick serving in various accounting, auditing and consulting roles.
A past president 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 and was 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 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
