Celebrating Our 2025 Pathfinders: Chuck Rahill, CPA

Arthur Rahill, CPA, has followed a career path deeply influenced by his family’s accounting legacy and his passion for service. Growing up in a household where accounting was a cornerstone—his father ran a successful practice for three decades, and his mother held pivotal bookkeeping roles—Arthur developed a profound appreciation for the profession early on.

Over the years, he has found fulfillment in guiding clients and teams through complex challenges, transforming obstacles into opportunities, and forming lifelong connections. With a dedication to mentoring future CPAs and advocating for a more balanced and sustainable profession, Arthur champions the values of expertise, relationships, and integrity that make accounting such a vital and rewarding field.

What He Has to Say

OSCPA: Why did you decide to become a CPA?

Rahill: I grew up in a family of accountants, so the profession was a natural fit for me. My father was a public accountant who started his own practice after returning from World War II and maintained it for 30 years until his passing. From a young age, I worked in his office, preparing simple income tax returns by hand—back when that was the only option—until I was old enough to drive.

My mother was the first bookkeeper for what is now Crest Foods and served in that role for both the company and our family until she retired at nearly 80 years old. My sister also pursued accounting, working in my father’s office after graduating from college and retiring just a couple of years ago.

Being surrounded by accounting my entire life, I developed a deep appreciation for the work and the ways it serves people. Over time, that appreciation grew into a passion, making my decision to become a CPA a natural one.

OSCPA: What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?

Rahill: The most rewarding aspect of my career has always been the people. Whether it’s the clients we serve or the team at the firm, my greatest professional joy comes from helping others. Accounting is a complex, dynamic, and ever-changing field, and guiding people through those challenges has been incredibly fulfilling.

As I look back on my career, it’s gratifying to see the impact we’ve made—the businesses and individuals we’ve assisted, the firm we’ve built, and the team we’ve developed. Seeing both the collective success of the company and the individual growth of those I’ve worked with is what makes this journey so meaningful.

OSCPA: What advice would you give to students pursuing accounting degrees and/or new CPA’s?

Rahill: Accounting is a profession—there are no shortcuts. It requires time, dedication, and a commitment that won’t always be convenient. My challenge to students and new CPAs is to remember that public accounting is fundamentally a service industry. We don’t sell a product; we sell our time and expertise. To be the best, you must maximize both. Never underestimate the people aspect of this business. Building strong relationships is essential, not just in accounting but in every area of life.

OSCPA: What are your hopes for and/or expectations of the future of the accounting profession?

Rahill: I am hopeful that national and state accounting associations will take meaningful action to address the decline in interest in the profession. There are currently significant barriers to entry. We need to create alternative pathways, such as apprenticeships, for those who may want to enter the field without a traditional college degree. Additionally, the culture of public accounting must evolve. If we want to attract and retain top talent, we must adapt our work environments to promote balance and sustainability. I would also like to see significant simplification in the Internal Revenue Code and required filings—too much focus is being placed on compliance instead of strategic advising, where the real value lies for clients.

Accounting is a great profession and has been incredibly rewarding in many ways. For it to remain sustainable and attractive, we need to be intentional about making meaningful changes—both for those currently in the profession and for the next generation of CPAs.

Accomplishments