The Last Letter Sid Kess Wrote to Me

Scott Zarret, CPA

Sid and I met through a mutual friend at a dinner six years ago when Sid was 91 years young. He quickly became my mentor and friend, and then officially the executive advisor to CPAacademy.org. We were in regular phone and e-mail contact throughout the past six years. He was extremely passionate and supportive of our mission, sharing an astonishing number of creative ideas, connections, and strategies for our platform. The last letter Sid wrote to me, one week before his passing, embodied so much of who he was: wise, optimistic, inspiring, humble, and kind. His passion for education, dedication to the profession, and genuine care for people have left an indelible mark on me and countless others—I hope to capture the essence of his spirit and the profound impact he had on me and the accounting world.