Journal of Accountancy Podcast

Nina Chmura, CPA, a partner at the firm Withum, was a co-presenter with two other CPAs at Digital CPA in Denver on the topic of firms growing their client advisory services (CAS) offerings. The title of the session: "How to Be the CEO of Your CAS Practice." Speaking from the conference site, Chmura detailed some of the keys to CAS success in this Journal of Accountancy podcast episode. Chmura also reflected on her career journey. She is a 2012 graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy, calling the experience "life-changing." Chmura also found value in being part of a panel of guest editors for the May 2017 issue of the JofA. What you'll learn from this episode: · The focus on metrics — identification and evaluation of effectiveness. · How the CAS advice and themes apply to her role at Withum. · The link between satisfied advisory clients and happy employees. · Identifying which KPIs are truly key to success. · Chmura's surprise about being asked to be a JofA guest editor in 2017. · More on her advice about identifying personal KPIs.

Jennifer Wilson, the CEO of ConvergenceCoaching LLC, co-presented a session at Digital CPA in Denver that addressed talent and leadership differences in remote and hybrid work environments. In this podcast episode, Wilson, who also served as the independent facilitator for the National Pipeline Advisory Group's (NPAG's) work in addressing the accounting talent shortage, discussed some of the differing points of view that managers and employees have about remote work. She also emphasized the importance of telling a better story about accounting — one of NPAG's recommended strategies for rebuilding the pipeline. Also in this episode is a mention of two recent news articles that affect CPAs. First is the news of beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements being in effect again after a court order. Second, the JofA reported on cuts in the IRS workforce. What you'll learn from this episode: · The "consternation and angst" in discussions about in-office vs. hybrid or remote work. · Why Wilson said that managers shouldn't use the word "back" when talking about where work gets done. · Who bears responsibility for an individual employee's learning and skill development. · The key to unifying teams in an era of dispersed workforces. · Wilson's hope for the profession in the coming year. · A recap of recent JofA news articles about BOI reporting and the IRS.

Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, was less than a week into his tenure as AICPA & CIMA CEO when he joined the Journal of Accountancy podcast for a two-part conversation. In part one, published Thursday, Koziel discussed wanting to hear from members about their challenges and success stories. In part two, he talks about how accountants can work with artificial intelligence tools, why he initially was interested in pursuing work with the FBI, and the value he sees in a hybrid work environment for some firms. Koziel has invited members to send email to AskMark@aicpa-cima.com and "tell me how the Association can help you, your career, and the profession." What you'll learn from this episode: · The career-related questions Koziel used to ask fellow CPA firm partners. · One aspect of Koziel's preparation to become an accountant that he would have changed. · The key things he learned as an employee of the grocery store Wegmans. · What he says to students considering a career in accounting. · More on how client advisory services have "erupted" over the years.

Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, was officially just a few days into his role as CEO of AICPA & CIMA when he took time to join the Journal of Accountancy podcast for a conversation that will be shared in two parts. Part one is below, and part two will be published in the coming days. Koziel — named in October to succeed the now retired Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA — discussed the importance of hearing about the successes and challenges facing members, how he hopes to create communities, and more in this interview. Koziel also invited members to send email to AskMark@aicpa-cima.com and "tell me how the Association can help you, your career, and the profession." Related links: n The news of Koziel's hiring, succeeding Barry Melancon as CEO. n Melancon's words about Koziel in a December podcast conversation. n Koziel's previous JofA podcast appearance, as part of a 2022 episode when he was the CEO of Allinial Global. What you'll learn from this episode: · Three facts for members to know about Koziel, in his words. · What he sees as the profession's strengths and opportunities. · Why he calls accounting pipeline concerns "not a U.S.-only problem." · Koziel's "listening tour" with members and his request for feedback. · More about his ideas for creating communities within the global membership of AICPA & CIMA. · Koziel's thoughts on the evolution of the profession. · The important distinction between outsourcing and offshoring. · A look ahead to part two of the conversation.

Chris Dyer, whose recent book details seven pillars of corporate culture, joined the Journal of Accountancy podcast from the Future of Finance Summit in San Diego to explain some of the ways companies can get culture right — and the ways they get it wrong. For instance, Dyer said that a common approach of individuals and organizations, after a strengths and weaknesses assessment, is to think about the areas where their performance is mediocre. "They want to … start with the ones they're OK with," Dyer said. "I say go after the one where you're terrible, and you fix that, and your people all of a sudden get excited." Also, get insight, in the form of a quick-hitting sound clip to close the episode, on how high-level thinking serves a CPA who played in the NFL. What you'll learn from this episode: · Why Dyer got into the exploration of team and corporate culture. · Dyer's assertion that building company culture is more science than art. · The value of saying "yes" more often — and strategies to pull it off. · Why he says it's not valuable for companies and individuals to focus on improving their "so-so" skills. · A recap of the JofA Q&A with an NFL player turned CPA, just in time for the Super Bowl.

Melanie Lauridsen, AICPA's vice president of Tax Policy & Advocacy, dives into the current tax landscape. She highlights crucial updates on Beneficial Ownership Information reporting and recent court cases impacting tax professionals. Lauridsen discusses the challenges posed by an IRS hiring freeze and its effects on tax season. The conversation also touches on proposed changes to Circular 230 regulations and anticipates a dynamic year for tax legislation, with discussions focusing on both comprehensive reforms and incremental changes.

On LinkedIn, the congratulatory messages poured in for Janice Stucke, CPA, after she completed an Ironman triathlon in October. Those messages all had named authors — her LinkedIn contacts. One message, from a still unknown author, attached to her bike on race day, continues to resonate with Stucke, the CFO of CREW Network. In an earlier podcast episode, Stucke detailed her nontraditional path to becoming a CPA and, later, a CFO. In this conversation, Stucke recaps the obstacles she faced in the race, how problem-solving skills played a role in her crossing the finish line, and why she is thankful for a group of friends she first met at the Future of Finance Summit. What you'll learn from this episode: · A recap of Stucke's "exhilarating" day completing the triathlon. · The reason Stucke felt nauseous during the run segment — and strategies she tried to overcome the feeling. · The message that inspired Stucke — one that an unknown person put on her bike. · The meaningful support of a group of finance leaders Stucke first met at the Future of Finance Summit. · How completing the race helps in her role as a CFO. · What her next big goal might be and why technology implementations will be prioritized this year. · Why Stucke enjoys being around others who set audacious goals.

Risk management, in the words of Sarah Ference, CPA, doesn't have to be overly complicated or time consuming. "It's really a mindset," said Ference, an author of the JofA's Professional Liability Spotlight column and the guest on this week's episode of the JofA podcast. Ference shares several risk management maxims that have resonated with her – ones that are the focus of the January column, Risk Management Mantras to Add to Your Daily Practice. In addition, Ference details the topics in some previous Professional Liabillity Spotlights: n October: 10 Tips to Help Avoid Wire Fraud Scams. n November: Missed Due Dates: Diligence and The Lurking Danger. n December: How to Not Lose Sleep Over NOCLAR. What you'll learn from this episode: · Some of the risk management mantras that stand out to Ference. · The difference between being friendly and objective with clients. · The answer CPAs should give to the question "Who's your most important client?" · Why Ference says that being a natural helper can get in the way of a firm's best interests. · Explanation of the mantras "trust your gut" and "take the high road." · Highlights of other recent JofA Professional Liability Spotlight columns.

What's the future of fully in-office work? What's the hiring outlook for finance and accounting roles in 2025? Steve Saah, the executive director of the finance and accounting permanent placement practice at Robert Half, tackles those and other questions in this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, recorded in December in San Diego. Saah discusses how companies have to walk a fine line when it comes to requiring in-office minimum hours or days – and how that tightrope can affect the pay they offer new employees. The episode is the first of 2025 and the second from the Future of Finance Summit. In the first summit-focused episode, four CPA leaders looked back on what they learned and ahead to their expectations for 2025. What you'll learn from this episode: · Saah's assessment of the future of fully in-office work. · The tie-in between required time in an office and recruiting new hires. · How the amount of time agreed upon to spend in the office could affect a new hire's pay. · Is the annual employee review a thing of the past? · The hiring outlook for finance and accounting professionals and the in-demand skills for those roles.

In a lively discussion, Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CEO of KET Solutions and former AICPA chair, emphasizes her hope for clarity in the finance landscape by 2025. Okorie Ramsey, VP at Kaiser Permanente, highlights the pressing need for a robust talent pipeline and encourages the profession to 'tell a better story.' The conversation resonates with themes of positivity, adaptability, and the innovative use of emerging technologies like AI in finance, revealing a bright path forward for leaders in the industry.