Nonprofit
How Nonprofits Can Stay Aligned and Adapt as Conditions Change
Stronger alignment and shorter planning cycles help organizations stay focused on what matters most while adjusting more effectively to changing conditions.
Sarah Flischel, CPA, Director, Audit Transformation & Training at AAFCPAs, has been named a 2025 40 Under 40 Accounting Professionals honoree by CPA Practice Advisor, recognizing her role in advancing modern, data-driven audit practices and strengthening the profession’s future.
In her role at AAFCPAs, Flischel has led a firmwide effort to evolve how audits are taught and experienced, building on the firm’s longstanding commitment to quality. She has driven the adoption of a cloud-based, data-driven audit methodology designed to further enhance audit quality while improving efficiency, risk assessment, and the delivery of insight. Her approach emphasizes practical application, ensuring new processes are accessible and sustainable for professionals across all levels.
Audit Training, Onboarding, and Technology Adoption
Flischel’s work extends beyond methodology into the development of people. She has redesigned training and onboarding programs to encourage critical thinking and effective use of technology, helping audit professionals focus their expertise where judgment and insight matter most. These efforts support stronger engagement within teams and contribute to a more resilient and forward-looking audit function.
“I’ve learned the most through open conversations with other professionals navigating change,” Sarah said. “This recognition affirms the value of staying curious, sharing openly, and approaching transformation as an ongoing practice—not a single milestone.”
Industry Collaboration and Leadership in the CPA Profession
Her influence reaches across the profession. Flischel founded and leads the Audit Transformation Community, a national forum that brings together professionals to share insights, tools, and approaches to modern audit practices. Through speaking engagements and industry collaboration, she continues to contribute to a broader dialogue on how the profession can adapt while maintaining quality and integrity.
“CPA Practice Advisor’s recognition reflects what we see in Sarah Flischel every day—leadership that moves work forward and brings people with it,” said Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA, Managing Partner at AAFCPAs. “That mindset strengthens our audit practice and reflects the kind of profession we want to build.”
Supporting the Next Generation of CPAs
Flischel is also active in professional organizations and leadership initiatives that support the next generation of CPAs, reflecting a long-term commitment to strengthening the profession.
