The Accounting Podcast The CPA Workload Dilemma: Can We Do Better?
Jan 23, 2026
Carla McCall, former AICPA chair and managing partner known for culture transformation and sustainability work, tackles the CPA workload dilemma. She discusses recruitment struggles and why storytelling matters. She argues against treating long hours as a badge and describes creative staffing, flexible policies, and new performance measures to make accounting more human.
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Workforce Shortage Is Structural
- The CPA profession faces a shrinking labor pool due to demographics and immigration changes.
- Carla McCall argues the profession must tell a better story and adapt to attract talent.
Make Culture Change Proactive
- Do change firm culture by listening to younger generations and being less stodgy.
- Try creative staffing models and flexible policies to make accounting more appealing.
Use Project Specialists
- Create nontraditional roles like project specialists to absorb work that doesn't require CPAs.
- Train smart people from other fields to handle repeatable tasks and free CPAs for higher-value work.