Pierson receives 2026 Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award
September 29, 2026
The Iowa Society of CPAs is proud to recognize Denise Pierson, CPA, as the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award.
The award recognizes a business and industry member whose achievements help promote the CPA designation as the definitive professional credential for financial managers in business, industry, education and government.
Denise serves as enterprise risk management director at Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, where she has played an important role in strengthening the bank’s Sarbanes-Oxley program, leading internal audit and regulatory remediation efforts and building greater structure and governance around risk and controls.
In 2025, Denise assumed leadership of the bank’s enterprise risk management function, overseeing operational risk, information security risk, SOX compliance, assurance testing and regulatory relations. Known for her collaborative, solutions-focused approach, she has built strong partnerships throughout the organization while helping maintain a robust risk and control environment. Her leadership has contributed to successful regulatory engagements and positive audit results.
Before joining Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in 2020, Denise held leadership roles in accounting and finance at Principal Financial Group, Telligen and Global Atlantic.
Her impact extends well beyond her professional responsibilities. An ISCPA member since 1990, Denise has devoted decades of service to the CPA profession through numerous committees, task forces and leadership roles.
She served on the ISCPA Board of Directors from 2015 to 2021 and has been involved with the Iowa CPA Education Foundation, Family and Workplace Issues Committee, Career Awareness Committee, Membership Committee, Insurance Industry Committee and other initiatives.
Denise also served as an Education Foundation Ambassador, currently participates in ISCPA’s Legislative Leader program and has taken part in every Iowa CPAs Month of Service since the initiative began in 2015.
Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for the CPA profession and the people within it, encouraging others to get involved, serve, mentor and help strengthen the professional community.
Through her leadership, generosity and longstanding commitment to service, Denise has made a lasting impact on both her organization and Iowa’s CPA profession. ISCPA is pleased to honor her with the 2026 Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award.