In this article, we will explore the impact of Arthur J. Wilson in various areas of contemporary society. Arthur J. Wilson has proven to be a topic of growing interest, capturing the attention of academics, activists, and opinion leaders worldwide. Throughout the pages that follow, we will examine the role that Arthur J. Wilson plays in people's daily lives, as well as its influence in fields as diverse as politics, culture, economics, and technology. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we will try to understand the complexity of Arthur J. Wilson and its relevance in a global context.
Arthur Jewell Wilson | |
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Occupation | Accountant |
Known for | First Black CPA in Illinois |
Arthur J. Wilson was an American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who was the second Black CPA in the United States and the first in Illinois. He was influential integrating the accounting profession in the United States.
Arthur Jewell Wilson was the son of Maynard Wilson, who served as secretary to the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska for nearly 20 years. He graduated from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and then went to work for Hygienic Manufacturing Company, where his interest in business was cultivated by Anthony Overton. He later obtained employment as a cashier at Binga State Bank and, in 1923 qualified for his CPA license, becoming the second Black CPA in the United States and the first in Illinois.
Because most states required work experience in accounting prior to licensing, many Black accountants reported difficulty in meeting the requirements due to trouble finding employment with a white-owned CPA firm. Wilson was able to obtain licensure due, in part, to the fact that the state of Illinois had not yet enacted legislation requiring apprenticeship to become a CPA. He, in turn, mentored other aspiring Black CPAs and, by 1945, half of all Black CPAs in the United States worked in the Chicago area. He has been credited as the mentor to Mary T. Washington.
Wilson eventually went on to serve as Vice-President of Binga State Bank.
Wilson's son, Arthur Jewell Wilson, Jr., was a standout basketball player at Princeton University and later chief of police of East St. Louis, Illinois.
Back in 1923, Arthur Jewell Wilson achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Black CPA in Illinois. His achievement not only broke barriers locally but also positioned him as the second Black CPA in the nation, following the trailblazing success of John Cromwell in 1921.