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In this Pride Month episode of Accounting ARC, Liz Mason and Donny Shimamoto share candid stories and insights on authenticity, inclusion, and what it truly means to belong in the accounting profession.
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Podcast Host
Liz Mason
CPA
Liz Mason, CPA is the CEO and Founder of High Rock Accounting, where she brings her passion for innovation and leadership to the forefront of the accounting profession. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Liz earned her Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance summa cum laude in just three years. She went on to complete a Master’s in Information Management at Arizona State University, fueling her curiosity for technology and its power to drive transformation.
Throughout her career, Liz has worked with national and local firms, ultimately channeling her expertise into building and growing High Rock Accounting. A recognized leader in the profession, she sits on multiple boards, speaks frequently on both local and national stages, and plays an active role in the vibrant technology startup community in Phoenix.
Liz is also one of the hosts of the Accounting ARC Podcast, alongside Byron Patrick and Donny Shimamoto, where she helps spark bold conversations that connect purpose, leadership, and innovation. As an Agent of Transformation with the Center for Accounting Transformation, she champions a vision of the profession that embraces equity, technology, and purpose-driven impact.
Beyond the office, Liz is an adventurer at heart. She loves traveling the world with her partner and young son, exploring new cultures, and seeking out fresh adventures wherever they may be.
Podcasts Hosted by Liz:
May 5, 2025
Season 02
Episode 9
Accounting ARC
Blockchain: Dead or Just Evolving?
May 19, 2025
Season 02
Episode 13
Accounting ARC
The Importance of Manners
June 2, 2025
Season 02
Episode 14
Accounting ARC
Work-Life Whiplash? It’s Time to Draw the Line.
June 16, 2025
Season 02
Episode 15
Accounting ARC
Strip Clubs, Weed, and W-2s: CPAs Get Real About Sin Clients
June 23, 2025
Season 02
Episode 14
Accounting ARC
Pride Month
July 21, 2025
Season 02
Episode 17
Accounting ARC
The Grit Era: What It Really Takes to Thrive in Accounting
August 4, 2025
Season 02
Episode 17
Accounting ARC
From Conference Rooms to Keynote Stages: CPAs on the Move
In this episode of Accounting ARC, Donny Shimamoto and Liz Mason share what life is really like on the road as CPA speakers—and how public speaking helps build community, spark innovation, and shape the future of the profession.
August 25, 2025
Season 02
Episode 20
Accounting ARC
Licensed But Silenced: The CPA Dilemma
September 22, 2025
Season 02
Episode 23
Accounting ARC
First Accounting Jobs Where Grit Meets Opportunity in the Profession
September 2, 2025
Season 02
Episode 21
Accounting ARC
Who Owns the CPA Firm of the Future?
In this episode of Accounting ARC, Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto examine who should own CPA firms, exploring the rise of private equity and what firm ownership means for ethics, education, and public trust in the profession.
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