Cindy Wrecza, Volunteer Excellence Award
Julia Shiota, MNCPA communications coordinator | October/November 2023 Footnote
Editor's note: Updated October 1, 2023
What makes any organization shine are the people who offer their expertise, time and passion towards creating meaningful experiences for all.
As an MNCPA member for nearly 20 years, Cindy Wrecza has shared her passion for the profession through multiple avenues, which has earned her the Volunteer Excellence Award, recognizing members who have volunteered for five years and have provided leadership or significant contributions to the society.
Cindy's passion for volunteering stems from seeing her mentors give back early in her career. Currently the controller at Aero Service Group Inc., Cindy began her professional life in public accounting before moving into the realm of hospitality, giving her a unique perspective on various aspects of the industry.
"When I started in public accounting, I worked with a CPA named Jim Eichten who was once the chair of the MNCPA board of directors," she said. "His calm leadership presence in the public accounting industry and generosity in giving back to the accounting profession impressed me."
Cindy was then inspired to dedicate time out of her own career towards professional leadership, continuous learning and community involvement. During her time as a member, Cindy has been a part of multiple committees and task forces, such as the General Industries Review Task Force, the MNCPA Leadership Cabinet from 2006-09, and the Controller Networking Group, among many others. Cindy is also an active member of the MNCPA's Editorial Committee, drawing on her knowledge of the field to develop meaningful content for fellow members.
The broad range of her volunteer work reflects her love of the industry, which began during her college years. After taking an accounting class at St. Cloud State University, she found herself hooked and hasn't looked back since.
"Accounting just made sense to me!" she said.
Although Cindy discovered her passion for the profession in college, she doesn't let herself stay stagnant in her professional life. Instead, she draws on her extensive background to inform her current volunteer work, seeing volunteering as an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and critical thinking to tackle the challenges that face the profession — such as industry changes and the continued discussions around the pipeline.
When reflecting on her time volunteering with the MNCPA, she is quick to encourage others to do the same.
"It's my experiences at these events that keep me coming back for more," she said. "I always get back more than I contribute and I am honored to be part of such a great organization."
