“There are lots of good IT people and lots of good accountants. But there aren’t many with both sets of skills. The CITP is the VIP lane,” said Ray Sang. Sang became a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP®) Champion because of the credential's unique combination of practical IT and accountancy skills. “I consider myself an accountant at heart. But accounting at heart also means getting better at technology for our customers,” he said.
“The program combination of accounting, finance, and fast-moving day-to-day technology to suit needs makes the credential very relevant and produces competitive advantage. I jumped at the chance as an early CITP adopter,” added Sang.
Route to success
Having become a CITP Champion, Sang’s career took off. He’s an in-demand programming and software expert in revenue management and finance automation. Sang has led many finance and accounting, risk management, and technology teams as director and controller for companies including Expedia, Google, Itron, and Elastic.
As founder of Seattle-based Chipmunk Robotics, his work enables easier financial reporting, leading to higher profits. He builds workflow and accounting automation, AI programs, and advanced data modeling for financial planning and analysis and investor relations.
Sang works closely with accountants and CPAs who are interested in pursuing a career similar to his. He introduces them to the CITP credential as a solid starting point. “The CITP credential has fast-tracked my career, so I share my experience with others,” Sang said.
CITP Champion Program — What is it?
The CITP Champion Program offers current CITP credential holders everything they need, to communicate the importance of information technology in the accounting profession. CITP Champions seek to expand awareness, about the variety of roles that CITP credential holders maintain in business and industry.
A CITP Champion since 2014, Sang has played a key role in raising awareness of the CITP credential within the Washington CPA community. For example, in a 2022 article, Sang discussed the importance of critical thinking skills for data analysis success. He shared his experience in data science across several topics with a focus on corporate finance.
CITP Champion Program — Advantages
CITP Champions become their local accounting and finance community’s CITP credential information resource.
As such, they are exposed to new experiences and a wealth of opportunities to cultivate relationships, mentor fellow professionals, and provide support to those pursuing the CITP credential.
“Personally, I’ve gained so much as a CITP Champion while contributing. We have CITP Champions across North America, and it’s very beneficial to expand my network with brilliant teammates working in different fields like IT, audit, cybersecurity, and across various industries. We contribute to developing the next generation of information technology talents,” Sang said.
Sang has a passion for teaching. He’s a facilitator for the data analytics and business intelligence sessions at the AICPA CITP Exam Study Group courses. The courses prepare candidates for the CITP exam.
Sang also develops case study materials with hypothetical scenarios that can put exam candidates through real-life simulations. He has created data analytics user case studies and multiple-choice questions for inclusion in the new CITP Experience Pathway Exam launching in 2023.
CITP Champion — Achieve the status
A prerequisite of becoming a CITP Champion is to achieve the CITP credential. If you’ve already achieved that milestone, you’re ready to apply to become a champion.
Initial and annual requirements of the CITP Champion Program are easy to understand and meet.
The manager of the CITP Champion Program, Paul Warrick, CPA, CGMA, at AICPA® & CIMA®,
can answer questions you may have. And when you’re ready, email Warrick your application:
Current résumé/CV
A brief statement about your participation or desire to participate in your community as an advocate of the CITP credential
Once you become a CITP Champion, you’ll be invited to communicate with AICPA staff about initiatives held within your state, society, provincial body, or local university. Further, your expertise will be sought in creating content for the CITP credential body of knowledge, also known as the Global CITP Examination content specification outline.
A champion’s skill set: CITP credential
Accounting and finance have dramatically changed with technology. CITP Champions have already established their expertise. They are positioned to lead the digital age.
Learn more through the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) credential handbook.