Warwick-based manager named one of only 36 professionals nationwide to the program’s 18th graduating class
WARWICK, R.I. — August 27, 2026 — Jacob Rich, CPA, MPAc, a tax manager at DiSanto, Priest & Co., was one of only 36 professionals honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 18th graduating class. He was selected based on his exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held December 1–4, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Professional Accountancy with a tax concentration, both from Bryant University. He has more than seven years of experience in tax planning and compliance for privately held businesses and their owners throughout southern New England and was promoted to tax manager in 2025. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New England Society of CPAs.
Jacob is the fifth DiSanto, Priest & Co. professional selected for the Leadership Academy, joining firm alumni John Rainone, Garrett Stenhouse, April Arruda, and Cory Lopes.
Jacob is a frequent participant in volunteer events hosted by the DiSanto Priest Charitable Foundation, as well as in personal volunteer efforts in his community. He enjoys giving back and assisting with cleanup efforts in the state’s parks and bays.
“Jake earned his manager role last year on the strength of his technical work and the trust his clients place in him,” said Emilio Colapietro, CPA, MST, Managing Partner at DiSanto, Priest & Co. “What sets him apart is that he thinks about this profession beyond his own desk — where it’s headed and what it’s going to ask of the people leading it. That’s exactly the kind of person the Leadership Academy was built for, and we’re proud to send him.”
The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising emerging professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs.
The Leadership Academy features career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers. Participants were selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, corporate finance, non-profit, academia, wealth management and consulting.
The 2026 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies, and/or volunteer organizations. Candidates submitted resumes and a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally.
To date, more than 550 professionals have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership positions in their firms, businesses, and organizations.
To learn more about the AICPA Leadership Academy, visit aicpa-cima.com.
About DiSanto, Priest & Co.
Founded in 1963, DiSanto, Priest & Co. is a full-service accounting and financial advisory firm serving privately held and middle market businesses throughout southern New England and beyond. Purpose built for privately held businesses, the firm’s hybrid tax and assurance structure gives clients a single team across tax planning and compliance, accounting and assurance, advisory services, business valuation and litigation support, cost segregation studies, fraud, forensic and transaction advisory services, and EB-5 investor services. The firm serves clients in the manufacturing, distribution and retail; real estate and construction; professional services; technology; commercial fishing; and precious metals industries. DiSanto, Priest & Co. has been named a New England Regional Leader on Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms and Regional Leaders list for the 10th consecutive year and has been recognized by Providence Business News as one of the Best Places to Work in Rhode Island for 15 years running. The firm gives back through its non-profit arm, the DiSanto Priest Charitable Foundation. Headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, DiSanto, Priest & Co. maintains additional offices in Wakefield, Rhode Island, and Fall River, Massachusetts, and is a member of BKR International. Learn more at disantopriest.com.
About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.