Nailah Owens-Johnson, CPA, FSA
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Deals Manager – CMAAS at PwC
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INCPAS Scholar Indianapolis 2014–15
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Attended Indiana University
We have shared several stories about our INCPAS Scholars throughout the years. The program has helped shape the careers of many aspiring accountants, providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed.
When we last spoke with Nailah (check out her Scholars feature from 2021), she had passed the Exam and was fulfilling her work experience requirement to receive her license. Nailah is now officially a CPA and works at PwC as a deals manager for their Capital Market Accounting Advisory Services (CMAAS) within the Deals Advisory group. We caught up with her after she spoke at CPA Celebration where she shared the impact of her INCPAS Scholars experience.
INCPAS: You’ve built a strong career at PwC since we last featured you (and are now officially a CPA!). How has your role evolved and what aspects of your work do you like the most today?
Nailah: Since the 2021 INCPAS feature, my role at PwC has grown considerably as I have advanced to becoming a manager in the Capital Market Accounting Advisory Services (CMAAS) practice. Passing the CPA Exam in 2020 was a meaningful milestone that allowed me to deepen my technical expertise and credibility with clients and colleagues.
What I enjoy most about my work today is the blend of technical rigor, strategic problem-solving and real-world impact. I appreciate how dynamic the environment is; I get to work across industries, collaborate with brilliant teams and help clients make decisions that support both their financial goals and broader organizational purpose.
INCPAS: In 2021 you described sustainability as a commitment to leaving things better than you found them. How has your perspective on sustainability and impact grown as you’ve advanced in your career?
Nailah: Although sustainability regulations have stalled over the years, my view of corporate sustainability has grown. I see sustainability as a bridge between business and societal impact. Leaders that truly value sustainability not only recognize their impact, but also make it a priority to do better and report on their impact to share their progress and hold themselves accountable regardless of regulations.
I pursued the SASB Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) credential to better understand how non-financial metrics translate into financial relevance. With that framework, I’ve had the opportunity to help clients integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into strategy, measurement and reporting, ensuring sustainability isn’t an afterthought, but a driver of long-term value.
“The mentorship I received didn’t just introduce me to accounting — it helped me see myself in the profession.”
INCPAS: You’ve always connected your accounting skills with service, advocacy and community. How do you continue to live out that mission in your personal and professional life?
Nailah: Service and community have always been central to how I approach my career in accounting. My involvement with NABA Chicago’s student development initiatives played a significant role in that journey. Supporting programs focused on exposure, mentorship and professional readiness reinforced my commitment to helping students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, see accounting as a viable and welcoming career path.
Professionally, I carry that same mission into my work at PwC. In addition to my client responsibilities, I’m actively involved in diversity and recruiting initiatives, where I help create inclusive environments, support early-career talent and serve as a visible advocate for those entering the profession. Whether through mentoring, campus recruiting or internal leadership efforts, I focus on helping people feel a sense of belonging and confidence in this field.
INCPAS: You spoke at CPA Celebration about the INCPAS Scholars program and how it helped shape your career path. What stands out as the most meaningful part of that experience?
Nailah: Looking back, the most meaningful part of the INCPAS Scholars experience was the relationships and early exposure to the profession. The mentorship I received didn’t just introduce me to accounting — it helped me see myself in the profession.
Meeting professionals, learning what CPAs actually do and forming connections that later supported internships made the pathway feel real and attainable. Those experiences instilled confidence, clarity, and a network, all of which have been invaluable in my career. I still have strong relationships thanks to the INCPAS Scholars program.
At SOAR in Las Vegas — NABA’S Convention & Expo — with fellow NABA Chicago members
Sharing her INCPAS Scholars program experience at CPA Celebration
INCPAS: Many Scholars look up to alumni like you for inspiration. What advice would you give current Scholars who are just beginning to imagine their future in the profession?
Nailah: Stay curious and intentional as you begin to imagine your future in the profession. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, whether that’s through internships, networking events, or conversations with professionals. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to seek out mentors who can help you navigate choices and challenges along the way. Be thoughtful about building relationships and recognize the value of community early on as the connections you make now can open doors you don’t yet see.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to define success on your own terms. Accounting offers many paths, and aligning your career with what motivates and energizes you will make the journey both meaningful and sustainable.
INCPAS: When you think about the next phase of your career and the future of accounting, what gives you hope? What opportunities are you most excited to pursue?
Nailah: What gives me hope about the future of accounting is how much the profession is evolving. There’s a growing recognition that accountants are not just stewards of financial information, but also strategic advisors who can influence long-term value, sustainability, and trust. I’m encouraged by the increasing focus on innovation, transparency, and diversity, and by a new generation of professionals who want their work to have purpose and impact.
As I look ahead, I’m especially excited about opportunities that allow me to broaden my perspective and deepen my impact, including the possibility of going on international secondment. Gaining exposure to different business environments, industries and global perspectives would allow me to strengthen my technical skills while also enhancing my global acumen and personal development.
INCPAS Scholars is an award-winning, free program that encourages high school students to consider becoming a CPA. The first program of its kind for state CPA societies, INCPAS Scholars introduces students to the profession by pairing them with practicing CPAs, touring CPA firms and businesses that employ CPAs, and participating in events to immerse them in the profession. You can support the program at incpas.org/Scholars.
Want to get involved as an INCPAS Scholars mentor?
Contact Ali Tonini, CAE, INCPAS VP – Workforce & Leadership, for more information.
