Ignition launches 2026 Women in Accounting Awards

Ignition opened nominations for its 2026 Women in Accounting Awards on June 24, with winners to be announced Aug. 25. The program adds five categories and aims to spotlight women driving change in pricing, technology, firm growth, leadership and community impact across the profession.

Why it matters: - The accounting profession is shifting toward advisory services, new technology and tighter pricing pressure. - Ignition is using the awards to spotlight women shaping those changes and to increase their visibility across the industry. - The program also aims to build connections, mentorship and community across accounting and professional services.

What happened: - Ignition launched the 2026 Women in Accounting Awards on June 24, 2026. - Nominations are open through July 31, 2026. - Winners will be announced on Aug. 25, 2026. - The nomination site is womeninaccounting.ignitionapp.com. - The program returns under the theme “Igniting Change.”

The details: - The 2026 awards will recognize women leading transformation in pricing, technology, firm growth, leadership and community impact. - Five categories will be awarded: Leading with Value, Igniting Change Leader, Innovation, Rising Leader and Community Impact. - Leading with Value honors women redefining how accounting services are valued and priced, with a focus on advisory-led work. - Igniting Change Leader recognizes leaders driving transformation inside a firm or across the profession. - Innovation recognizes women using AI, technology and new ways of working to modernize accounting practices. - Rising Leader is for emerging leaders with less than 10 years of experience who are already making an impact. - Community Impact honors women contributing through mentorship, advocacy, education or knowledge-sharing. - Anne Ting, Ignition’s chief marketing officer and a 2026 judge, said the profession is transforming and women are at the forefront of that change. - Ting said the program exists to make those women recognized, celebrated and impossible to miss. - Sarah Lawrance, founder and CEO of Hot Toast & Hot Toast AI and a 2026 judge, said the program gave her confidence, connection and belonging when she was working behind the scenes more than a decade ago. - Kyelie Baxter FCP, managing director of IQ Accountants and a 2026 judge, said she wants to surface women quietly reshaping the profession, not only those already in the spotlight. - Katie Bryan, founder of Propeller Advisory and a Women in Accounting alumna, said the recognition feels like a celebration of a movement and a sign that the industry is changing.

Between the lines: - Ignition launched the awards in 2018, and the program has grown from a single awards moment into a broader brand and community platform. - The shift suggests Ignition sees the awards as both recognition and a pipeline for visibility, networking and thought leadership. - The awards also mirror broader accounting trends, including more advisory work and faster adoption of AI and automation. - Since launch, the program has recognized 287 women, received more than 2,400 nominations and reached 21+ countries. - The program has also created a global community of firm owners, partners and emerging leaders. - Ignition says the awards have helped elevate visibility and expand networks for past recipients.

What's next: - Nominations will continue until July 31. - Ignition will reveal the 2026 winners on Aug. 25. - The company said the program will keep evolving as a community platform focused on leadership and the future of the profession.

The bottom line: - Ignition is turning its annual awards into a broader visibility engine for women driving change in accounting, with a sharper focus on technology, pricing and modern firm leadership.