

Carl Peterson: Succession or Stagnation? | Gear Up For Growth
26 snips Jun 20, 2025
In this enlightening conversation, Carl Peterson, the former VP of Small Firm Interests at AICPA, emphasizes agility and succession planning as essential for CPA firms. He reflects on the transformational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profession, highlighting the importance of visionary leadership. Peterson also discusses the shift to hybrid work models and the challenges small firms face with technology and compliance. He calls for the next generation of CPA leaders to embrace change and foster a collaborative culture, ensuring sustainable growth in a competitive landscape.
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Intense COVID Response at AICPA
- The AICPA team met every morning at 7 a.m. for weeks during the initial COVID lockdown to address member needs.
- This intense focus led to the creation of the AICPA town halls and better advocacy for the profession.
COVID Boosted AICPA's Agility
- COVID made the AICPA more agile in providing timely information despite uncertainty.
- This agility increased AICPA's value to members and influenced legislation and regulatory responses.
Tech and Offshoring Aid Small Firms
- Technology and offshoring have improved small firms' capacity and work-life balance.
- Clients are increasingly accepting offshore solutions, helping firms evolve service delivery.