Global Recognition Honors Accounting and MBA Leader for Excellence, Mentorship and Service

Dr. Felicia Farrar, CPA, CFE, has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting for 2026, earning global recognition for her leadership and impact on the accounting profession.

Farrar, director of Alabama A&M University’s MBA program and accounting coordinator in the College of Business and Public Affairs, is among 50 women selected from a record 1,265 nominations representing 835 nominees. The 2026 honorees represent countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

According to Farrar, she is the first AAMU professor to receive the recognition.

“Being recognized as one of the Top Women in Accounting for 2026 is deeply meaningful to me because it reflects more than professional achievement — it represents purpose, perseverance and service,” Farrar said.

A certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner, Farrar has dedicated her career to supporting students, expanding access to CPA preparation, promoting financial literacy and increasing representation within the accounting profession. Her professional experience also includes service with the IRS.

Beyond her work at AAMU, Farrar serves as board chair of the National Association of Black Certified Public Accountants and as a board member of the Delaware State Board of Public Accountancy. She also serves as a council member at large representing Alabama with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Farrar said the Top 50 recognition also brings greater visibility to AAMU’s accounting and MBA programs and underscores the work being done to prepare students for successful careers.

“This honor also demonstrates to our students that their professors are actively shaping the accounting profession and creating opportunities beyond the classroom,” she said. “It enhances the department’s reputation, supports student recruitment, strengthens relationships with professional organizations and corporate partners, and may lead to additional scholarships, internships, grants and career opportunities.”

Farrar has advised AAMU’s Accounting and Finance Club for four years, extending her commitment to student development beyond the classroom. She said one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching at AAMU is watching students recognize their own potential and develop the confidence to pursue professional opportunities.

“The best part of teaching at Alabama A&M University is the opportunity to transform students’ lives,” Farrar said. “Helping them connect academic knowledge with real-world opportunities — such as professional certifications, internships, conferences and meaningful careers — is deeply rewarding.”

A Cleveland native, Farrar earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kent State University, a master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and a doctorate in accounting from Oklahoma State University.

“Most importantly, I view this recognition not simply as a celebration of what I have accomplished, but as a responsibility to continue opening doors for others — especially women and students from underrepresented backgrounds,” Farrar said. “Being named a Top Woman in Accounting for 2026 reminds me that success is most meaningful when it is used to serve, inspire and create a lasting path for those who follow.”