‘everyone here is a superhero.’
peter margaritis on the disruptors with liz farr, originally published in 2023 here
by liz farr
the accounting world lost a great man on march 20, 2025, when peter margaritis passed away unexpectedly at age 64. i first met peter in the fall of 2018, when he gave the keynote for the new mexico society of cpas’ annual pride in the profession luncheon. i introduced myself to him while he was fiddling with his earpiece and microphone shortly before his talk.
margaritis obituary here | more liz farr here
peter was known through the accounting community as a warm and gregarious speaker and friend. many of the online tributes describe how every conversation with him was like catching up with a lifelong friend. i experienced that myself when i met him again at several conferences. i had the privilege of collaborating with him on several articles for accounting today and speaking with him on my podcast. every conversation with peter was delightful.
peter earned a master’s degree in accounting at case western university but felt like a fish out of water at his first job with price waterhouse. after growing up in the gregarious environment of restaurants, he felt like he couldn’t breathe in the stifling sameness of workpapers and cpe. as he recounts in his book, taking the numb out of numbers, “i was so bad at being a cpa that during a performance review, my boss asked me, ‘how in the hell did you ever become a cpa? you’re an accidental accountant.’” years later, he named his business the accidental accountant.
peter found his true calling in improv, embracing the yes! and… approach and incorporating the principles of improv into his wide-ranging career as a speaker, writer, and consultant. his three books, improv is no joke, taking the numb out of numbers, and off script, all demonstrate how improv can be applied to business and life situations to improve communication and develop creative, collaborative solutions. he also hosted a podcast, first under the name improv is no joke and later as change your mindset, where he interviewed industry greats such as tom hood and jody padar.
while peter was proud of earning his cpa, he was perhaps even prouder when he earned his csp (certified speaking professional) from the national speakers association.
when i last collaborated with peter, he had found a new dream job as the first director of the school of accounting communications center at oklahoma state university’s spears school of business. in that position, he was able to combine his loves of accounting, public speaking, and education. the purpose of that new program was to “provide students at the undergrad and master’s levels with a deeper dive into the power skills, especially communications skills, they will need to thrive in a fast-paced environment.”
peter’s deeply human approach, combining improv, humor, and accounting in our high-tech, ai-driven world, will be sorely missed. his ability to connect deeply and instantly with people of all kinds was a rare gift. may you rest in peace, dear friend.
3 responses to “remembering peter margaritis: applying the art of improv to accounting communication”
kristen rampe
peter was such a delightful member of the public accounting community. he and i shared a love for the intersection of accounting and improv, getting together on several occasions to bring the joy of improv to cpas – in person and online once covid hit. he even indulged me in bouncing around the idea of an all-cpa-improv troupe, the wild calcs. he may be gone, “yes, and” he will be missed by so many!
robin thieme
i am truly heartbroken and deeply saddened to learn of pete’s passing. what a shock and loss for his family first and foremost and the industry, his students and his employer.
i greatly admired pete’s humor, warmth, collegial support, thoughtful guidance, love of the art of improv and believe his passing is a big loss for the industry. in agreement with liz’s closing comments, dear pete – i will miss our conversations, your humor and humility. my sincere, deepest sympathies to his family.
joey havens
oh my! seeing the loss of peter has me stunned and heartbroken. what a bright light in our profession and a man who had a welcoming energy that drew you in. magnetic, humble and always working to lift others.
when he had me on his podcast change your mindset, we became instant friends. keeping in touch and sharing the excitement of his new improv at oklahoma state. truly a pioneer leading with significance!
pete, we miss you greatly and thanks for making us better. my deepest sympathies to his family. may god bless and comfort you. .j