A Grassroots Movement for The Regenerative Accountant

By Mathew Heggem.

The world is witnessing a shift towards regenerative practices in various sectors – from agriculture to fashion, from construction to consumer goods. But there’s one industry that is often overlooked, yet holds the power to catalyze profound change: the accounting industry. I believe it’s time for this sector to embrace the regenerative movement; and with a growing number of other leaders in the industry, we’re nurturing this shift from the ground up.

Enter the Accounting Alchemy Network (AAN).

AAN is not just an idea or an aspiration; it’s a living, evolving, grassroots community co-founded by three professionals who met as a result of being honored with “CPA Practice Advisor’s 40 under 40” in the last 5 years: Ingrid Edstrom, Alina Nikishina, and myself.

AAN is a community built by accounting professionals for accounting professionals, with the mission to develop regenerative accountants, foster connections, and empower them to drive positive change in our industry and the world.

We see the regenerative accountant as a game-changer, a disruptor, an innovator. This is a professional who looks beyond the traditional debits and credits, daring to infuse their practices with values, beliefs, and a deeper consciousness of their societal and environmental impact.

Regenerative accountants strive to create sustainable, ethical, and inclusive financial systems. They curiously question the status quo and existing economic paradigms and propose alternatives that benefit not just the bottom line, but all stakeholders involved. They aspire to holistic business practices that nurture both financial health and overall ‘wellth’ in workplaces.

Being a regenerative accountant is more than a job title; it’s a mindset, an ethos, a commitment to forging a better world through our daily professional choices. It’s about transforming accounting from a static, number-crunching function into a dynamic force for change.

AAN provides the tools, resources, and community support to facilitate this transformation. We offer holistic education that bridges diverse areas of focus, from economics to ecology, business management to social justice. We believe in fostering a vibrant learning environment where all ideas are welcome, and collective wisdom is harnessed for collective growth.

Our approach to education is anything but monocultural. We’re inspired by the diversity and resilience of natural ecosystems, and we bring this inspiration to our teaching. In the process, we’re cultivating a new breed of accounting professionals who are versatile, adaptable, and ready to meet the complex challenges of our times.

But education is only part of our strategy. We’re also about action. At AAN, we encourage our members to implement and share their knowledge, to be ambassadors of regenerative practices within their respective spheres of influence. We foster discussions and debates through our community Lyceum conversations.

What is a Lyceum, you ask? As my co-founder Ingrid Edstrom notes, a Lyceum was “the venue where Socrates and Plato would meet with their compatriots to philosophize and debate as a form of education. Within these forums, participants are focusing on the questions that lead to even deeper questions, and cultivating a space where diverse ideas and differences of opinion are seen as assets.”

Importantly, we recognize that a movement is only as strong as its community and the harmonization of the diverse voices within that community. Therefore, we’ve nurtured an inclusive, supportive, and active gathering of accounting professionals who are committed to the regenerative journey. Our ideal members are not merely passive subscribers; they’re active participants, contributing their unique insights and expertise to shape our collective narrative.

We don’t have a fixed roadmap or an end-goal in sight, per say. The beauty of a grassroots movement is that it’s organic and evolving, shaped by the collective energy and passion of its members. Our vision for the AAN is to continually expand, inspire, and empower our community, sparking a ripple effect of positive change across the accounting industry and beyond.

If you’re an accounting or tax professional, a bookkeeper, CFO or CPA, we invite you to join the movement. By being part of the AAN, you’re not just enhancing your personal and professional development; you’re aligning yourself with a purpose that transcends profit, resonates with your values, and empowers you to make a meaningful difference in your clients’ lives.

Are you ready to become a regenerative accountant? Are you prepared to be a part of a movement that’s reshaping our profession for the better by being the change that you want to see in the world?

If so, join us. Visit www.accountingalchemy.net and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our work and how you can get involved. Jump into our community networks on Facebook and LinkedIn, and become a part of a vibrant community dedicated to transforming the accounting industry.

Embrace the opportunity to redefine your role, impact, and legacy in the world of accounting. Together, we can turn the tide. Together, we can create a better future. Welcome to the Accounting Alchemy Network.