Forty under 40: Michael Johnson, 35

Michael Johnson/35

Fiscal Director

United Way of Central Indiana

As fiscal director of the United Way of Central Indiana for more than four years, Michael Johnson has overseen technology upgrades, a switch to a different fiscal year and has worked to make accounting procedures more

All the while, he has also stayed active in multiple professional organizations for accountants and has mentored teen-agers.

He's now working with United Way organizations in other states and cities to figure out ways they could all share costs regarding accounting systems and information technology. He's always looking for ways to cut down on administrative costs, so more dollars can be used to directly help people instead, he said.

Johnson obtained an accounting degree from Indiana University in 1992 and went to work locally for the New Yorkbased accounting firm Ernst & Young until 1998. There, he did a variety of tasks, including helping bring an initial public offering to fruition for a large manufacturer. While those years were grueling, they provided invaluable experience that Johnson is grateful to have today.

Then he decided to switch to the notfor-profit sector. He worked as senior projects coordinator for the Indianapolis Private Industry Council first. There he led a pilot program to help neighborhood groups better collaborate on their jobs programs for at-risk youth.

Through it all, Johnson has stayed committed to his profession. He serves as president of the Indiana Board of Accountancy, for example. This board administers and enforces laws and rules concerning accounting in the state and resolves issues related to accounting ethics and testing.

He's also worked hard to recruit other young black men to the profession and is a past president of the National Association of Black Accountants. In Indianapolis, Johnson talks to high school students about how rewarding a career in accounting can be. He's an adviser to the Northwest High School Business Magnet.

"It's so important to learn how to handle finances correctly, learn how to use credit responsibly and how to invest for retirement," he said. As he gets older, he wants to be a role model for other minorities interested in becoming good financial managers, as well as those entering the accounting profession.

Favorite book: "To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee

Favorite movie: "Bone Collector"

Hero: Martin Luther King Jr.

Hobbies: watching basketball, reading periodicals, doing crossword puzzles