RIT/NTID’s Kane authors book on deaf CPAs

Michael (Mike) Kane of Brighton, New York, a faculty member in the Business Studies department at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf has authored a book of interviews with deaf CPAs.

“Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Certified Public Accountants: Professional Journeys” recounts various paths to success.

“Throughout my teaching career at RIT/NTID, I realized that there was a dearth of information in the public domain about deaf and hard-of-hearing accountants earning licenses as certified public accountants,” Kane said. There might be an article here and there, but nothing comprehensive. I realized that writing a book could be a resource for high school and college students interested in the world of accounting who are thinking about taking the CPA test to be licensed.”

 The 12 deaf and hard-of-hearing CPAs featured in the book come from a variety of backgrounds and share their individual educational and career journeys.

In the book’s forward, NTID President and RIT Vice President and Dean Gerry Buckley said, “Among the many things I’ve learned in my nearly 40 years in the field of deaf education is the importance of role models. WE all need people we can look up to, people we aspire to be like, people who have achieved things we hope to achieve. Role models show us how to overcome obstacles, and they help encourage us to succeed.”

“It is my hope that business students -- deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing -- will find inspiration as they pursue their own goals of becoming licensed as a CPA,” Kane said. “There are resources for deaf medical professionals, lawyers, and teachers but none that I'm aware of, for CPAs. This book is a start toward setting up organizational resources for future CPAs who are deaf or hard of hearing.   

The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1618460994/ and can be purchased in either hard copy (with black and white photos) or digital (with color photos) formats.